North Luangwa National Park lies in the oldest section of Africa’s Great Rift Valley, a remote wilderness shaped over millennia by the Luangwa River. Established as a game reserve in 1938 and upgraded to national park status in 1972, it lies within a vast 30 000 km2 protected landscape, including the adjoining Game Management Areas (GMAs). Together, these areas make up one of the last remaining true wilderness landscapes in central Africa.
The North Luangwa Conservation Programme sets a benchmark in Zambia for equitable and effective conservation measures and was admitted to the IUCN Green List of protected and conserved areas in 2022. Core to the success of this conservation programme is the mission of “Linking Livelihoods and Landscape”, which centres all the activities of the protection programme around linking communities to conservation through employment and nature-based sustainable livelihoods initiatives.
North Luangwa is home to Zambia’s largest elephant population with healthy populations of of lion, leopard, buffalo, and Luangwa endemics like Cookson’s Wildebeest, with recent more frequent sightings of Thornicroft’s Giraffe and regional endemics such as Crawshay’s Zebra. The area’s remote setting and low visitor numbers make it one of Africa’s best-kept secrets, allowing for an exclusive, crowd-free safari.
With a small population of Black Rhino in the Special Protection Zone, North Luangwa is Zambia’s only park where you can find the indigenous Big Five in limited access areas of the Park until such time as the poaching threat to this endangered species is reduced.
North Luangwa invites guests to explore the landscape, experiencing nature up close in one of the continent’s truly wild places.
North Luangwa remains one of Zambia’s most remote and unspoiled parks, making access part of the adventure.
North Luangwa can be reached by road, either from Mpika in the west through Mano Gate or via Chifunda Chiefdom, Luambe and South Luangwa National Parks, Chama, or Lundazi in the East by crossing the Luangwa River on the famous pontoon. A fully equipped 4WD and solid off-road driving experience are essential for this journey through the rugged terrain of the park and surrounds. Trailers are not recommended for those intending to cross the pontoon.
If you are looking for a more luxurious experience, the easiest way to get here is with one of the licensed safari operators offering guided packages. Charter flights are available from Lusaka, Mfuwe, or Mwanya directly to Mwaleshi Airstrip and can be arranged by your host.
The Amatololo Loop campsites offer a more remote, adventurous way to experience North Luangwa. Nestled deep within the park, these rustic sites are ideal for self-sufficient travellers seeking solitude, wildlife, and a true back-to-nature escape.
Samala, Mandalena, and Ituba are community-owned camps that offer affordable and comfortable accommodation for travellers looking to explore North Luangwa’s wild landscape. Set in scenic locations close to the park, they provide a unique opportunity to experience nature up close while contributing to local tourism and conservation.
The North Luangwa landscape is home to a selection of private camps and lodges that offer intimate, guided wildlife experiences, inviting guests to connect with the raw beauty of the landscape’s remote wilderness.
Established in 1986, the North Luangwa Conservation Programme is a partnership between the Frankfurt Zoological Society and Zambia’s Department of National Parks and Wildlife. Together, we work to conserve the vast and remote North Luangwa ecosystem through practical, boots-on-the-ground conservation and meaningful community engagement. In 2021, this partnership was further enhanced with the signing of a 20 year Collaborative Management Partnership Agreement which brings the two organisations together under one umbrella for the sustained, long-term management and conservation of the National Park and the surrounding Game Management Areas.
Our approach focuses on long-term impact, combining strong protected area management with community-driven initiatives that build pride, generate local benefits, and strengthen support for conservation. This is summarised by the NLCP mission of “Linking Livelihoods and Landscape”.
EMAIL US
POSTAL ADDRESS:
NLCP, PO BOX 450189
MUSAKANYA-KOMBE DRIVE, MPIKA
MUCHINGA, ZAMBIA 50100
A conservation partnership initiative between Zambia Department of National Parks and Wildlife and Frankfurt Zoological Society.
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© North Luangwa Conservation Programme 2019
NLCP Est. 1986
