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The North Luangwa National Park covers about 4636 km² of the Luangwa Valley (half the size of South Luangwa) and is one of the most remote parks I’ve ever been to. Only a total of a few hundred tourists visit this part of the Luangwa Valley a year, as the park’s infrastructure isn’t comparable to the southern park. In general, the flora and fauna of the North Park are the same as those found in South Luangwa. Worth mentioning is the absence of giraffe and the fact that the area teems with lions and buffalos. Given their long life span, and slow regeneration after poaching, elephants are scarce and skittish.
 

The journey' s the reward! It’s a challenge to get to North Luangwa! Unless you fly there in a small bush plane, allow at least 10 exhausting hours for the 150 km between Mfuwe (South Luangwa) and Buffalo Camp, the centre of action in North Luangwa. It’s an adventurous trip on dirt roads, where you have to cross rivers and ditches or pass through small fishing villages, like Zokwe or Tuluam, where “wazungu” (white people) still cause crowds of curious locals. Some forest areas that have to be crossed are contaminated with tsetse flies. So avoid to wear dark clothes that are favoured by the flies.
 

North Luangwa has very few roads. The most important natural feature is the Mwaleshi River, a small permanent river that flows even in the heat of the dry season and attracts a lot of game. Walking is the main activity in North Luangwa. Usually you are accompanied by an armed ZAWA (Zambia Wildlife Authority) scout and a professional certified guide. Close encounters with buffalos or lions take place regularly. I was somewhat yellow when it happened J ! So ensure that at least your guide knows how to handle situations like these. Don’t rely on the ZAWA scouts. Usually they are trained for anti poaching patrols and not for walking safaris with tourists. Our ranger ran away (no joke …J !). To me, North Luangwa is a must! Its charm lies in its remoteness and its pristine beauty!