Luangwa Valley Info
The Luangwa Valley, an extension of the Great East African Rift Valley, is the honey-pot of Zambia. Here dramatic seasonal variations, a dynamic river system, fertile soils and lush vegetation ensure a prolific supply of wildlife.
Home to the majority of big game - including lion, leopard, elephant and buffalo - the Luangwa Valley also boasts two endemic species: Thornicroft's Giraffe and Cookson's Wildebeest.
An impressive concentration of both hippos and crocodiles makes the Luangwa River one of the most densely populated in Africa.
While smaller mammals and over 400 recorded species of birds add to the game viewing experiences, reinforcing the Luangwa Valley's impressive reputation as the home of Zambian game.



Seasons
in the Luangwa Valley:
- The Dry season, from May to November
- The Emerald season, from December to April.
Temperatures during these seasons vary from lows of 10°C, in June and July, to highs of 40°C, in October.
Even during the coldest period the days remain warm, sunny and perfect for all safari related activities.
The late dry season is the warmest period and makes for the best game viewing, as all outlying water dries up and forces the game towards the riverine belt. While the emerald season, which can start as early as the end of October and typically draws to a close at the end of March, sees an impressive 700mm to 900mm of rain. Rare but always welcome showers may also be experienced in April and May.
The Emerald season also boast spectacular and dramatic thunderstorms, ones that could give the best firework displays a run for their money!



National Parks
four National Parks:
- The South Luangwa Park
- The North Luangwa Park
- The Luambe Park
- The Lukusuzi Park.


Fauna & Flora
Amphibians of the Luangwa Valley
-
Frogs
Banded Rubber Frog
Bubbling Kassina
Foam Nest Frog
Painted Reed Frog
-
Toads
Guttural Toad
Red Toad
Grasses of the Luangwa Valley
- Cymbopogon excavatus -
Turpentine grass - Cynodon dactylon -
Couch grass - Dactyloctenium aegyptium -
Crow's foot - Digitaria milanjiana -
Finger grass - Echinochloa colona -
Rice grass - Heteropogon contortus -
Spear grass
- Hyparrhenia rufa -
Giant thatch grass - Melinis repens -
Natal Redtop - Oryza barthii -
Wild rice - Panicum maximum -
Buffalo grass - Setaria incrassata -
Kasense grass - Sporobulus pyramidalis -
Catstail dropseed
- Themeda triandra -
Red grass - Urochloa mossambicensis -
Gonya grass
Reptiles of the Luangwa Valley
- Other
Bibron's Gecko
Blue Headed Tree Agama
Land Monitor
Leopard Tortoise
Nile Crocodile
Serrated Hinged Terrapin
Striped Skink
Tropical House Gecko
Water Monitor
- Snake
African Python
Bark Snake
Black Mamba
Blacknecked Spitting Cobra
Boomslang
Brown House Snake
-
Eastern Green Snake
Herald Snake
Mozambique Spitting Cobra
Olive Grass Snake
Olive Marsh Snake
Puff Adder
Pygmy Sand Snake
Rhombic Night Adder
Spotted Bush Snake
Stilleto Snake
Striped Bellied Sand Snake
Striped Grass Snake
Tiger Snake
Small Plants of the Luangwa Valley
- ABRUS PRECATORIUS
- Lucky Bean - ANSELLIA GIGANTICA
- Leopard Orchid - ARGEMONE MEXICANA
- Mexican Poppy - BIDENS PILOSA
- Blackjack - BIDENS SCHIMPERI
- Yellow Cosmos - CORCHORUS OLITORIUS
- Wild Ochra
- DUOSPERMA
QUADRANGULARE
- Salt Bush - GLORIOSA SIMPLEX
- Flame Lily - HYGROPHILA AURICULATA
- Rhino Thistle - INDIGOFERA TINCTORIA ARCUATA
- Indigo Bush - LEONOTIS NEPETIFOLIA
- Lion's Tail
- MIMOSA PIGRA
- Sensitive Plant - MUCUNA PRURIENS
- Buffalo Bean - NYMPHAEA NOUCHALI
- Water Lily - OCIMUM CANUM
- Vick Bush/Wild Basil - PISTIA STRATIOTES
- Nile Cabbage - SENNA OBTUSIFOLIA (Cassia)
- SOLANUM PANDURIFORME
- Poison Apple - SPHAERANTHUS FLEXUOSUS
- Purple Pan Weed - VERNONIA GLABRA
- Corn Flower Bush - VERNONIA PETERSII

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