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A Valley lost in Time
In places where the rift formed land on both sides began to slump. Just such a depression formed the Luangwa Valley and isolated it from the outside world by means of steep hills and daunting cliffs. For centuries its very inaccessibility guarded a vast wilderness where wild animals thrived and few people visited.
The Luangwa Valley is one of the few really wild places left in Africa. It has high concentrations, and a wide variety of wild animals.
If you have ever wanted
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to visit a wild and wondrous place that you thought no longer existed, go to the South Luangwa National Park. You will find it is an experience that you can connect with, in a deeper sense, and as with me, it will keep calling you back; back to a vast wilderness where today animals roam the land much like they did when our ancestors walked the earth.I've traveled the world a lot, but still my experience did not prepare me for a place like this – a place where hippopotamus came up from the river at four in the morning to eat the sweet grass outside my bedroom window, a place where wild lions watched me watching them from only a few feet away, a place where there are no bars or restrictions, except common sense, between you and these totally wild animals. I was not only a guest of Norman Carr Safaris, but of this truly remarkable place and its wildlife. I felt honored and privileged to be there. It was exhilarating to ride and walk among them as they continue to roam, with little or no fear of humans.
My first task was finding a safari outfit to which I was willing to entrust my life. This adventure would not be a concession ride, nor would it be a zoo. This, I was hoping, would be the real thing! As it turned out, I need not have worried. Most Safari operations in the area are small. Wholesale tourism has yet to invade this little corner of the world.
For me one operator, Norman Carr Safaris, stood out from all the rest. On its Web Site http://www.normancarrsafaris.com/ I read the history of how they got started and was impressed with Norman Carr’s philosophy and vision. Living in the valley most of his life he was appointed one of the areas first Game Rangers. He believed that there was a special appeal to walking the bush. Safari the Old Way was what it was called, and its success in the Luangwa Valley was due in no small part to the man who has been called "the father of the non-consumptive walking safari". Bush drives are great but you are only and "observer" of Nature. When you walk the bush (not some carefully selected path) you are a "participant" with Nature!
Eco-tourism is supposed to be a new concept, but Norman Carr was doing it more that 50 years ago. He strongly believed in sharing the profits of his enterprise directly with the indigenous peoples of the region, to help them become self-sustaining and provide an alternative to illegal poaching.
Norman Carr Safaris offer the variety of a luxury safari lodge and a selection of five authentic and wonderfully appointed bushcamps. All the guides are indiginous and a number of them, still there, were personally trained by Norman Carr himself.
The Luangwa Valley is a place where time, for time’s sake, is meaningless except to know when it was time to leave, and wishing you could stay just a little bit longer. It is said that if you ever find a place like this, you will always go back. I could not understand that statement or pull such a place exerts on something deep inside you, until I went there. I still don’t fully understand it but I can tell you it is there today, whispering in my ear, calling me back!
The first time I visited the Luangwa Valley was in March of 2007 during the birding season when the birds were displaying their colorful mating plumage. I went back in June of 2008, right before winter set in. Everything was still green and the animals were plentiful. I plan to return in 2012.
Jurgen Herpich
TH
Visited:
October 2025
Reviewed: Nov 6, 2025
Email Jurgen Herpich | 65+ years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Interesting countryy
My first visit was last year in south Luanga which i enjoyed very much
The second visit this ear in okt. was in the northern part where i found the landscape less interesting,
Kaseba
ZM
Visited:
July 2025
Reviewed: Jul 7, 2025
Email Kaseba | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Amazing
Excellent the experience was simply amazing we do it again
Philippe
FR
Visited:
September 2022
Reviewed: Oct 20, 2022
Email Philippe | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Very friendly country
Amazing game drive, a lot of animals, big cat's and birds. Very pleasant atmosphere everybody helpful, whether the guide, the staff in the hotel or passenger in the bus.
Mary Fleming
A very friendly country with some amazing sunsets and animals
We had a really great holiday particularly in the parks and getting so close to the animals. The people we met - in airports, shops, hotels, taxis, parks and other attractions - were really welcoming and helpful. It was lovely to find out so much about this country. We liked sitting in the peace and quiet of Thornicroft Lodge near South Luangwa park, watching the animals across the river and listening to the hippos in the river. We also enjoyed Victoria Falls although October is not the best time to visit here (water is getting low). The sunset cruise on the Zambezi from Victoria Falls Waterfront was really good and the sunset unmatched. We ate some delicious food during our stay and the local beer was good too. All in all a very memorable holiday.
Julie
ID
Visited:
September 2022
Reviewed: Oct 6, 2022
Email Julie | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
True Wilderness Destination
We’ve just taken a wonderful trip to Lower Zambezi and Kafue National Parks with Wilderness Horizon Safaris who I contacted through this site. Both Parks were top class for wildlife viewing with very experienced guides. Both of the camps we chose, although mid range, were very comfortable with wonderful, friendly and knowledgeable staff who couldn’t do enough for us. The meals were outstanding. We’ve been on many safaris in different countries in Africa but we think Zambia was one of the safest and you really have the feeling you’re in remote wilderness in the Parks as we rarely saw another vehicle. Missing it already and can’t wait to go back.
I can only base this on our experience in South Luangwa, but from what we heard from other guests, the other parks in Zambia are extremely good too.
Pim
NL
Visited:
May 2016
Reviewed: May 31, 2016
Email Pim | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Five stars for most boxes. And 'only' four for birding because I didn't encounter much that I hadn't seen on previous safaris, despite South Luangwa's abundant bird life.