Known as the Valley of the Leopard, it is in the South Luangwa that the legendary Norman Carr pioneered the walking safari and conservation-based tourism in Africa. Today, our award-winning Zambian guides, some who were trained by Norman himself, offer guests a wonderfully immersive experience in one of the most beautiful wildlife sanctuaries in the world.
Smell the pot of coffee on the campfire at sunrise as you anticipate the day’s activities. At sundowners, sip a gin and tonic while being dazzled by plains game under a glowing red sky. Discover the difference between lion and leopard paws as you trace your finger over their prints in the soil. Admire a family of elephants or a herd of cape buffalo on a safari drive. Marvel at the richness of 450 bird species one minute and a pack of endangered wild dogs the next.
Stretching out over 9,000 square kilometres and only an hour’s flight away from Lusaka or Lilongwe, this unfenced and unspoiled wilderness feels a world away from modern life.
Region information
- 9,050 km2
- 1 hour flight from Lusaka (Proflight)
- 1 hour flight from Lilongwe, Malawi (Ulendo Airlink)
- Known as the Valley of the Leopard
- Combine drives, evening drives, walking safaris and boating safaris (boating is seasonal when the river is high from Jan – Apr)
- Zambia’s Premier Wildlife Destination
Norman Carr was a man ahead of his time. He was a bold innovator of the walking safari which initiated a far-reaching concept that was to pave the way for modern conservation and ecotourism.
Back in 1950, he encouraged Senior Chief Nsefu – Paramount Chief of the Kunda people in the Luangwa Valley – to set aside a portion of tribal land as a game reserve and built the first game viewing camp open to the public in Northern Rhodesia (now Zambia).
His dream was to secure the future of this unique wilderness by ensuring that the local population would benefit through conservation of the wildlife and habitat of the Luangwa Valley. This led to the birth of Zambia’s first safari company. We are very proud of the role that Norman played in our history and his legacy lives on in our people and the camps we operate across the South Luangwa.
Camps in
South Luangwa
Follow in the footsteps of early conservationists and immerse yourself in the abundance of wildlife in an unspoiled wilderness.
South Luangwa, Zambia
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Stretching out over 9,000 square kilometres and only an hour’s flight away from Lusaka or Lilongwe, this unfenced and unspoiled wilderness feels a world away from everyday life.