AREA & ACTIVITIES

Habitat & Wildlife
The Luangwa Valley is one of Africa’s most scenic and game-rich National Parks. Forming part of the southern end of the Great Rift Valley, the wide valley floor is about 1,000ft lower than the surrounding plateau and through the centre flows the Luangwa River which is fed by dozens of sand rivers during the rainy season, causing it to become a raging torrent. It frequently alters its course from season to season, causing many ox-bow lakes to form. These lakes are very important to the ecology of the valley and account for the high carrying capacity of the park.

Elephant, although slightly smaller than their southern African savannah counterparts, are plentiful, as are buffalo (in huge herds), kudu, waterbuck, puku, impala, bushbuck, warthog, and reedbuck. Thornicrofts giraffe (endemic to the region) are commonly seen and the Cookson’s wildebeest can be seen in the northern sector of the park. Along the river hippo can be seen in their hundreds, in the late dry season packed into ever decreasing water pools, whilst huge crocs laze on the many sand banks. However, the park is perhaps best known for its predator populations, in particular lion and leopard, the latter of which are seen regularly by day and at night. Wild dogs have made a good comeback in the park in recent years and are often sighted. Night drives can also be very productive, with nocturnal species such as civet, genet, honey badger, white-tailed mongoose, African wild cat, spotted hyaena and porcupine regularly seen in addition to the many superb leopard sightings.

The birdlife of the Luangwa is equally exceptional, with over half of the total Zambia species (around 700) being recorded here. Commonly sighted species include crowned crane, white-fronted bee-eaters, carmine bee-eaters (which nest in the banks of the river from late August onwards, Lilian’s lovebird, purple-crested turaco, paradise whydah, striped kingfisher and the impressive saddlebill storks. Pel’s fishing are also regularly seen.

Activities
Activities at Mwamba include both walking (the original focus of the camp, especially in the mornings), and game drives by day and by night. There is also the possibility of a basic ‘camp-out’ under the stars either around the camp fire (sleeping under a mosquito net) or on a sleep out platform overlooking the bush (both sleep-out options are extra cost and pre-booking is advised). There is a hide in camp (the ‘last waterhole’ hide), available exclusively for Mwamba guests, overlooking a particularly active water source that you can use at any point in the day. From Mwamba, you can also visit the Carmine bee-eater hide (usually operational from mid-August onwards) run by Shenton Safaris.

Seasons
Mwamba Bush Camp is open from June to October, though game viewing conditions will be best from July onwards.