Luangwa Valley: the secret wildlife photography season in Zambia

Luangwa Valley teems with wildlife during the rainy months, proving that safaris aren’t just for the dry season.

Safari rules say the dry season is the best for spotting game, but if you visit Luangwa Valley in Zambia’s rainy months, you can explore by boat when the river is high, flowers are blooming, the wildlife teeming and there’s no one else around. David Rogers revels in the solitude of Zambia’s secret season.

Two of the endemics to Luangwa – Crawshay’s zebra and Thornicroft’s giraffe – pose on the Lupunga Spar, a great area for walking during rainy season. Photo by David Rogers

When it rains in eastern Zambia, it rains properly. Voluminous cumulonimbus clouds build tall above the landscape and unleash deafening cracks of thunder and flashes of lighting that explode across the wide African skies.

With up to a billion litres of water in a single cloud, the deluge is tremendous, filling tributaries and grassy plains that all drain into the Luangwa River. These rains transform it overnight from a dry stream into a torrent that sweeps for 1100 kilometres along the southern arm of the Great Rift Valley and into the Zambezi.

Also read: Riverwhacking the Zambezi

For most camp operators in South Luangwa National Park, the rains mean the end of the season. It’s not that it rains all the time (the storms are short-lived and there are plenty of sunny days) but the rains turn the hard, sun-baked black cotton soil into sticky mud, which makes it impossible to drive and sludgy underfoot. Most lodges and all the bush camps close at the end of the dry season (October).

Boating through the ebony grove near Kaingo is only possible during the rains. Photo by David Rogers.

However, two operators, Robin Pope Safaris and Norman Carr Safaris, celebrate the coming of the rains in style, launching boats so that guests can explore the flooded lagoons and waterways and reach some of the remotest areas of the park. Along the river, with its textbook meanders and oxbow lakes, there are only two bridges and landscapes have changed little since the first travellers set eyes on them in the 1800s.

For the past 12 years, I have led photographic trips each wet season. And here’s the kicker: what makes this season so good for photography is that it’s possible to shoot right through the day, as the clouds act as a diffuser of light, highlighting the green landscape at its lush best. The air is clear of dust, and the vivid outline of the Muchinga Escarpment forms a dramatic backdrop.

A lioness in Luangwa; the Luangwa River was thought to be 800km long, but John Coppinger, who canoed the river in 2012, measured it as 1100km. Photo by David Rogers.

It’s fascinating how much more relaxed animals are at this time of the year. The impala and puku are fit and strong and have the upper hand against the predators. And then there are the birds. Many of the little brown jobs become resplendent in colourful feathers for the breeding season, and migrants flock in from all over northern Africa and Europe.

From the gateway town of Mfuwe, its an hour’s drive to get to Nkwali Camp. It’s just what you would expect from an old-school safari outpost: the bar is built around an ebony tree and the open-sided thatched rooms all have spectacular views.

Anyone who has been here in the dry season, when the Luangwa is a mere trickle, will be astounded by the flooding river, which is 150 metres wide and four metres deep. It moves past the camp silently carrying its load of orange mud, fallen trees and foliage washed out from the channels. At night, we lie awake listening to the grunt of hippos and barking baboons, a sound that suggests big cats are on the prowl.

A female leopard against spectacular green grass near the Nkwali harbour. Photo by David Rogers.

Days at Nkwali begin with the rhythm of a drum at 5:15. As the skies start to reflect orange in the river, we head out on a drive. Guests are ferried by boat directly across the river to the vehicles, stored at a small natural harbour inside the park. We explore the network of all-weather roads that stretches for about 30 kilometres from Chichele Hills to beyond the oxbow lakes opposite Luangwa River Camp. Usually we will see our first lions, leopards and wild dogs as well as the endemic Thornicroft’s giraffe, the pale Cookson’s wildebeest, which occurs nowhere else, and the vividly striped Crawshay’s zebra.

After two or three days at Nkwali, we set off on our river journey, heading north-east. There are just five of us, which leaves space for the boatman, my guide Jacob Shawa, and the fundi, an armed scout from the Zambian Wildlife Authority who keeps us safe from dangerous game. After bumping around on a vehicle, it’s blissfully relaxing being on the water and watching spectacular scenes flashing by.

The river flows at nearly 10 kilometres per hour, and its power is evident from the scores of century-old trees that lie fallen in the water. Some of their relatives teeter on the banks, holding on by just a few exposed roots. As we proceed upriver, we are heading into an area that has been entirely cut off by the rains. The only other people we see are weather-beaten local fishermen in dugout canoes.

I advise photographers to use fast shutter speeds when in the boat. That way they can capture the rush of hippos heading into the water and the massive crocodiles that slip off the banks. We also follow the path of black-headed herons and fish eagles with our cameras, trying to capture them in flight.

This is the very best time for birding in South Luangwa, with summer migrants that include white-bellied Abdim’s storks, red-winged pratincoles and woodland kingfishers. Thanks to keen-eyed Jacob, we always spot lions on these river trips too; seeing their wide-eyed expressions, we realise they’ve probably not seen any humans for several months.

An African fish eagle glides along the Mwamba Channel. They have ‘waterproof’ wings, allowing them to fly well in rainy conditions. Photoby David Rogers.

At Nsefu Camp, we are greeted by the same friendly team of cooks, waiters and staff that have met me here year on year. Nsefu dates back to 1952 and was started by the late Norman Carr, ‘godfather’ of Zambian conservation. The rondavels are on one of the broadest sweeps of the Luangwa overlooking an elephant migration route. Sitting here beneath the thatch, you can almost sense the pipe-smoking explorers of yesteryear.

On this most recent visit, I am surprised to note that the simple dining room where we’d had such fantastic meals and conversations over the years was gone. Nsefu is not immune to the erosion of the river; who knows how many years it will be before the camp is lost forever? Fortunately, the bar is intact, the fridge is filled with cold Mosi beers, and a table has been set beneath the sprawling African ebony tree. We sit in the dappled shade and tuck into fresh salads, just-baked bread, cold meats and chilled white wine.

Guests don’t need to go far to enjoy the wilderness here. While in camp we’ve seen elephant, buffalo, lion, baboon and leopard. As the temperature cools in the afternoons, we gather for tea and delicious sticky cake before heading out. We potter up the Mwamba River, a narrow tributary of the Luangwa on the edge of the famous Lion Plain – always a magnet for animals. Cameras at the ready, we capture images of sunlit puku, zebras, giraffes and elephants posing perfectly against the dark grey clouds, which often start to build at this time of day.

It’s also possible to explore the Kaingo Forest, and driving our boat between the dark trunks of drowned African ebony trees is a haunting and awesome experience. At sunset, we park near a pod of hippos to enjoy our sundowners as they yawn away before emerging to graze at night.

I can’t go by without taking a picture of this baobab and this one was shot at sunset. It was a surprise when the elephants walked into view. Opposite Nkwali Camp, it’s also a good spot for seeing leopard, and herds of impala often come here to lick the salt deposits. Photo by David Rogers.

The highlight of a visit to Nsefu is the stork colony, one of the largest in Southern Africa. It’s an awesome spectacle to watch hundreds of these large birds fly in with nesting material. It’s sometimes possible to boat right into the colony, but mostly we make our way in on foot. If it has rained it can be a pretty muddy experience. I remember one woman who sank so deeply into the sludge that her shoe was lost forever. We always take it slowly, and on our last trip we were joined by an octogenarian – Jacob held his hand the whole way and carried a chair so he could take a breather.

After a few days at Nsefu, it’s hard not to leave a bit of our hearts behind, but as we boat downstream with the current, there is more excitement in store. We spend our last two nights at Luangwa River Camp, which has a pool, a wide deck and a taste of luxury after the remote experience upstream. It’s back into game-drive vehicles here to explore the extremely productive Mfuwe sector, including the Luangwa wafwa (wafwa is derived from ‘old’ or ‘dead’ and is also the local name for oxbow lakes).

On our last visit, we saw 31 wild dogs in this area. The sighting took place after some heavy rain. That’s the thing about Emerald Season – when it’s very wet, the predators tend to stick to the high ground, so their movements can be predicted. My movements are just as predictable – I have returned to this entrancing place, taken this journey into a forgotten part of Africa, in spring, summer, autumn and winter, more than 30 times. It’s my second home.

Plan your trip to Luangwa Valley

The Luangwa River during a wet March, with the floodwaters pushing back into lagoons and streams; an emperor moth – fantastic insects come out in summer.

Getting there

SAA flies between Joburg and Lusaka twice daily, from R2400. All safaris in the Luangwa Valley start and end in Mfuwe town. By road from Lusaka, it’s a 12-hour drive so most people fly in from Lusaka (one hour). Proflight has scheduled flights for R8022 per person return, but the Firecracker fares (booked 30 days ahead) cost around R4000 per person; children under 16 half-price. Proflight also flies from Durban to Lusaka, with a connection to Mfuwe.

When to go

For a boating safari, late January to early April is when the river is high enough to explore upstream and into flooded lagoons. June to October is the dry season, and high season. You can get good deals in November and early December at the lodges that are still open – incidentally, this is a great time, just before the rains, for predator action.

Need to know

South Africans do not need a visa to visit Zambia, and yellow fever certificates are no longer required. Do take anti-malarial precautions. There is no need to pack heavy rain gear – the vehicles have ponchos (and black plastic bags for covering cameras). Zambian wildlife guides are wonderful – even self-drivers should consider hiring one with an open vehicle (from R2670 a day). Park fees are R470 per person per day.

River trips

Only two operators offer river trips: Robin Pope Safaris’ seven-night River Journeys (January to March) include a combination of Nkwali, Nsefu and Luangwa River Camp. It costs R41140 per person sharing (single supplement R2180 a night), all inclusive. Check online for SADC specials that can be booked 30 days ahead.

A photographic journey with David Rogers on the same itinerary costs R55440 per person (no single supplement) for four travelling. photosandafrica.com

Norman Carr Safaris’ six-night River and Rainbow boat trip costs R46040 per person all inclusive (no single supplement). It starts near Mfuwe Gate at Chinzombo – architect-designed, this lodge brings a new standard of accommodation to Luangwa, including a private pool in each villa. The boat trip heads to Kakuli, a rustic bush camp inside the national park on a picturesque bend in the river. Guests can do walking safaris and visit the same areas explored by Robin Pope Safaris.

Stay here

The rarely seen Pel’s fishing owl. Photo by David Rogers.

These camps do not offer river trips, but are all open during Emerald Season.

Croc Valley Camp is near Mfuwe Gate and right on the river. It has a big pool, a bar and hammocks and a lively vibe. The best accommodation is the chalets on stilts and river tents. From R400 per person sharing self- catering or R1470 per person full board, camping R133 per person. crocvalley.com

Nkwali Camp, Robin Pope Safaris’ HQ, has just six chalets and offers an Emerald Season rate of R8030 per person sharing for three nights, all inclusive, excluding river trips. robinpopesafaris.net

Mfuwe Lodge, inside the national park, is in the most game-rich and accessible area. It has 18 chalets and offers walks and game drives. R4150 per person all inclusive. bushcampcompany.com

Chichele Lodge was built for former president Kenneth Kaunda at the highest point of the park. It has 10 Victorian suites with private terraces. From R5220 per person sharing, all inclusive (it gets cheaper the longer you stay); a third adult sharing pays R2540. sanctuaryretreats.com

South Luangwa National Park Map

Click here to see an enlarged version of the map to South Luangwa National Park.

This story first appeared in the May 2017 issue of Getaway magazine.

Get this issue →

From our ultimate guide to Addo, free things to do in your city, a photographic getaway to South Luangwa and getting the best of Nepal; our May issue is guaranteed to inspire.

Related Posts

8 amazing adrenaline activities to do in Zimbabwe and Zambia

23 May 2023

For thrill-seekers and adventure enthusiasts, Victoria Falls and Livingstone offer an abundance of adrenaline-pumping activities... read more

Can’t Travel to Zambia? Bring it to your table with these recipes

6 May 2023

t there is a way for you to transport your taste buds to Zambia without... read more

6 Reasons to add Zambia to your 2023 bucket list

30 January 2023

These 6 reasons to visit Zambia will definitely have you adding this beautiful country to... read more