Remote and wild, Zambia’s Liuwa Plain National Park is Africa’s last hidden gem. Each November, thousands of wildebeest join zebra and tsessebe in Africa’s second-largest migration, drawing predators like hyena, lion, and cheetah. Birdlife dazzles year-round, while May–December offers prime game viewing from exclusive bush camps. Accessible via Lusaka, Liuwa pairs perfectly with Victoria Falls and Zambia’s top reserves for an unforgettable safari.
If ever a destination deserved the title of ‘last wild corner’ of Africa, then Zambia’s Liuwa Plain National Park would be a strong contender.
Part of the Zambezi River basin, Liuwa Plain is hundreds of square miles of flat grassland punctuated by tree islands and marshy pans. Wild and remote, the area is a favourite with seasoned safari travellers for its astonishing wildlife secret: Liuwa is home to Africa’s biggest wildebeest migration after the Serengeti/Masai Mara.
The Liuwa grasslands are at their most dramatic in November and December. Encouraged out of the surrounding woodland by newly-fallen rain and fresh grazing, wildebeest move onto the open plains in their thousands, accompanied by zebra and tsessebe antelope. These animals drop their young at this time, attracting predators. The spotted hyena, in clans of up to 50 individuals, is the apex predator at Liuwa but lion and leopard hunt on the grasslands as do cheetahs and wild dogs.
Heavy rain between January and April make the park largely inaccessible and safari operations close down. Lodges reopen in May as the water recedes and game viewing is increasingly rewarding as the dry season continues into September and October. Bird watching is excellent all year round but especially so in November and December.
Accommodation in Liuwa Plain National Park is limited to a handful of bush camps and safari lodges that typically operate between May and December. Our recommended camps are run by legendary Zambian safari operators Robin Pope and Norman Carr and offer a mix of day and night game drives as well as guided walks.
Accessible from Lusaka International Airport, Liuwa Plain is usually experienced as part of a longer safari itinerary. Using Lusaka as a travel hub, you can combine a Liuwa Plain safari with Victoria Falls and Zambia’s other reserves – the South Luangwa, Kafue and Lower Zambezi national parks. It is also relatively easy to add Botswana’s Chobe National Park.
Talk to Safari Online about a Liuwa Plain safari – we’ll recommend a tour based on your interests and requirements and will take care of all the organisation for you. We can also add on destinations such as Lake Malawi and South Africa, ensuring your Liuwa safari is part of an unforgettable holiday.
The best time to visit Liuwa Plain National Park is between November and March, depending on the kind of experience you’re seeking. November marks the peak of the wildebeest migration, offering dramatic wildlife scenes as animals gather to graze on fresh grass after the rains. This period also attracts a wide variety of migratory birds, making it ideal for birdwatching, all set against a backdrop of lush green landscapes and wildflowers.
As the season transitions into May and June, the plains begin to dry, making game drives more accessible and comfortable, with cooler temperatures and fewer insects. Wildlife remains abundant, especially predators like lions and hyenas.
However, the months from January to April are best avoided due to heavy rains that flood the plains and restrict access, with many camps closed during this time. For those chasing spectacle and scenery, November is ideal, while May and June offer a more relaxed and navigable safari experience.
Accommodation in Liuwa Plain National Park offers a rare blend of wilderness immersion and comfort. For self-sufficient adventurers, several remote community campsites—like Katoyana, Kwale, Mukalabumbu, Lyangu, and Sikale; provide basic amenities such as flushing toilets, hot showers, solar lighting, and firewood for purchase, though Sikale is a true wilderness site with no facilities. These campsites are ideal for 4×4 travelers seeking solitude and close encounters with wildlife, including lions, cheetahs, and the park’s famed hyena clans.
For those preferring a more luxurious experience, King Lewanika Lodge stands out with its elegant canvas suites, open decks, and sweeping views of the plains, offering exclusive access to Africa’s second-largest wildebeest migration and rich birdlife. Liuwa’s accommodations reflect the park’s untouched beauty and promise an unforgettable stay in one of Africa’s most remote and magical landscapes.
Liuwa Camp lies on the edge of an enormous plain that stretches as far as the eye can see. Under mabola plums and jackalberry trees, the camp’s raised nature maximises the 180-degree view across the plain, taking in the camp waterhole where wildlife comes to drink.
Guided by veteran Norman Carr Safaris' guides, Liuwa Plains Camp is the only permanent camp operating in Liuwa Plain National Park. The area has a long and rich history and is homeland of the Lozi people. The traditional Monarch of the area is the Paramount Chief or King, called the Litunga, meaning 'keeper or guardian of the earth'.
A Liuwa Plains package is best experienced as part of a more extensive itinerary in Zambia and beyond. From the Liuwa Plains there is a well-worked combination with Victoria Falls and the Lower Zambezi National Park.
Such a combination gives safari-travellers all the thrills and spills of the world’s greatest falling wall of water. At Victoria Falls you can choose from activities as varied as walking with lions and white-water rafting to sedate sunset cruises and scenic flights. The Lower Zambezi delivers heavyweight game viewing – hippos, crocodiles, elephants and big cats – by 4X4, boat and canoe. Other itineraries include classic wildlife destinations in Botswana and South Africa.
Browse our recommended tours below. If you’d like a more personalised approach, simply contact us and we will tailor-make an itinerary for you.
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A Liuwa Plains safari is usually part of a larger itinerary in Zambia, taking in Victoria Falls and the South Luangwa via domestic flights. International access to Zambia’s Lusaka and Livingstone (Victoria Falls) airports means that Zambia can easily be combined with destinations further afield. It’s a one-stop flight to South Africa where you can add Cape Town, the Kruger or the Garden Route to your tour. One of our favourite combinations however is Seychelles, home to golden-sand beaches and tropical-blue water.
