ZambiaHow many tours are available for Liuwa Plain National Park?
There are currently 0 listed tours that include Liuwa Plain National Park in the itinerary.
Overview
“Best kept secret” is an overworked phrase, but it accurately describes Liuwa Plain National Park. Let us share that secret with you. This video gives you a quick glimpse:
Liuwa Plain National Park has a history of wildlife conservation dating back to the 19th century. At that time, the far-sighted King of Barotseland made his people custodians of the area that is now the park.
The park was proclaimed in 1972 but struggled to survive. In 2003, an agreement was signed between the Barotse Royal Establishment, African Parks (an NGO), and the Zambian Department of National Parks and Wildlife (DNPW) to revive and grow the park with the active participation of the community.
The heartwarming story of “Lady Liuwa” symbolizes the park's transformation. In 2003, she was the sole lion in the park, facing a lonely death. In 2008, however, lion reintroductions were initiated to reunite Lady Liuwa with her kind. Today, although she died in 2017, she has left a growing pride of lions.
During this period, several other species were introduced, and today, among all the different attractions, the migration of over 40,000 wildebeest every December (the second-largest wildebeest migration in Africa) is a spectacular wildlife experience.
While most of the 1,413 square miles (3,660 km²) of Liuwa Plain is grassland, it is transformed into a huge floodplain during the rainy season, changing from a gold to a verdant green pasture. The new shoots draw the wildebeest and other herbivores, which in turn attract the attention of the park's predators.
Tree islands in the swampy floodplain, with false mopane, silver cluster-leaf, Zambezi teak, and weeping wattle, provide shelter for the migratory birds.
As the rains end and the flood waters retreat, pans ringed with palms remain where the animals congregate to drink, making game viewing even more rewarding.
Pros and Cons
Upsides
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The vast plain that spreads from horizon to horizon is unique and provides an unforgettable backdrop to the steadily growing wildlife.
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The distances involved in getting to Liuwa Plain and the poor roads in the park discourage casual visitors, so the park is never crowded.
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The tarring of sections of road and the construction of causeways over parts of the flood plains have, in fact, improved accessibility to Liuwa Plain.
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The park has provided a livelihood for many of the 12,000 people living within its boundaries and continues to uplift the community with numerous projects.
Downsides
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The park provides camping sites with solar heating and power in the ablution blocks, but you need to be fully self-sufficient, including drinking water, food, and fuel.
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There are no credit card facilities, so all payments must be made in dollars or kwacha.
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The roads are poor — sandy in the dry months and often impassable in the rainy season. A 4WD is essential, as is equipment to get your vehicle unstuck.
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The game is still relatively sparse and spread over the entire plain, so you may have to drive a lot to view it.
Wildlife
Before 2008, Liuwa Plain National Park had lost much of its wildlife to poaching. Thanks to initiatives by African Parks, in collaboration with the Department of National Parks and Wildlife and the park's inhabitants, it has been transformed.
More about the wildlifeBest Time To Visit
Apart from the wettest part of the year, when the park's roads may become inaccessible, Liuwa Plain always has something to offer visitors to the park. Our chart below will help you make the best decision.
More about best time to visit
Botswana
Ethiopia
Kenya
Malawi
Mozambique
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