{"id":8091,"date":"2026-02-11T00:56:21","date_gmt":"2026-02-11T00:56:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.theblyde.com\/?p=8091"},"modified":"2026-02-11T00:56:21","modified_gmt":"2026-02-11T00:56:21","slug":"coming-soon-to-zambias-kingdom","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.theblyde.com\/?p=8091","title":{"rendered":"Coming soon to Zambia’s Kingdom"},"content":{"rendered":"
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South Luangwa National Park in Zambia is widely regarded as one of Africa\u2019s finest wildlife sanctuaries, combining exceptional game viewing with authentic wilderness. Covering just over 9,000 square kilometres, the park follows the course of the Luangwa River, whose oxbow lagoons and sandbanks form the lifeblood of its ecosystems.<\/p>\n

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\u200bThe river supports one of the highest densities of hippo and crocodile on the African continent, while its fertile floodplains draw in elephants, buffalo and large herds of antelope.<\/p>\n

What to spot in South Luangwa National Park<\/h2>\n

The park is home to 60 different animal species with the only notable exception being the rhino.\u00a0 This region is renowned for its big cats and other predators with lions and leopards in abundance \u2013 hence why it is also known as \u201cThe Valley of Leopards\u201d.\u00a0 African wild dogs are also increasingly being recorded across the valley.<\/p>\n

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The park is also famous for its endemics and near-endemic species, including Thornicroft\u2019s giraffe, Crawshay\u2019s zebra and Cookson\u2019s wildebeest, species that add a distinctive character to any safari here.<\/p>\n

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Birding Hotspot<\/h2>\n

Habitat diversity underpins this abundance, with a mosaic of mopane and miombo woodland, sweeping grasslands and stately sausage and ebony groves. This biodiversity fuels outstanding birding, with more than 400 recorded species \u2013 more than half of Zambia\u2019s total 732 species!<\/p>\n

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Birders will enjoy ticking off some wonderful specials, \u00a0including vast congregations of waterbirds in the dry season including the iconic African Fish Eagle which is Zambia\u2019s National Bird. Carmine bee-eaters transform the riverbanks into living murals, nesting in colonies in the soft cliffs and erupting into clouds of crimson and teal as they hunt insects on the wing.<\/p>\n

Home of the walking safari<\/h2>\n

South Luangwa is largely considered to be the birthplace of the modern walking safari, pioneered in the mid-20th century by conservationist Norman Carr, and still one of the most rewarding ways to explore its tracks, scents and subtle behaviours.<\/p>\n

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Seasonal changes here are dramatic: from dusty, tawny plains crowded with game in the dry months to the lush \u201cemerald season\u201d, when storms transform the valley into a green, bird-filled oasis. Best enjoyed on foot! <\/p>\n

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Everything you need to plan your trip in 2026<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

The Kingdom \u2013 Showcasing the Nsefu Sector<\/h2>\n

The Nsefu Sector, recently showcased in Sir David Attenborough\u2019s BBC series \u201cThe Kingdom\u201d, is located in the remote northern reaches of South Luangwa National Park, offering an even more exclusive safari experience with particularly high densities of wildlife thanks to its mature riverine forest, ebony groves, open floodplains and natural springs that draw animals and birds year-round.<\/p>\n

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The Kingdom series follows the fortunes of four rival families, all trying to claim a rich corner of this paradise called Nsefu\u00a0 \u2013 \u00a0headed up by four formidable females, namely leopardess Olimba, wild dog queen Storm, hyena matriarch Tenta and lioness Rita \u00a0\u2013 filmed over five years as they give birth, hunt, fall ill, gain new territory and face intruders.\u00a0 \u00a0Watch now on BBC iPlayer.<\/p>\n

When to visit Zambia<\/h2>\n

Zambia is a great destination to visit pretty much all year round, bar January and February during the height of the rainy season.\u00a0 The best time is generally considered the dry winter season which runs from May to October, with peak season in South Luangwa being July to October, when the game viewing is at its best.\u00a0 Shoulder seasons tend to run in June and November.\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

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Many camps close for January and February for the wet season.\u00a0The green season is very lush and beautiful, with many camps offering reduced rates from March to May.<\/p>\n

Getting to South Luangwa<\/h2>\n

Access to South Luangwa is via a 70\u2011minute flight from Kenneth Kuanda International Airport in Lusaka to Mfuwe International Airport.\u00a0 There are multiple flights every day with Proflight Zambia as well as the option to charter planes.<\/p>\n

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Visitors from the UK and Ireland, USA, China, Germany, Norway, Sweden, Belgium and South Africa do not require visas to enter Zambia.<\/p>\n

Carmines River Lodge launching June 2026<\/h2>\n

Carmines River Lodge is a new ultra-private safari lodge being developed on a 54\u2011acre private island in South Luangwa\u2019s \u201cValley of Leopards\u201d, due to launch in June 2026.<\/p>\n

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Positioned between two rivers overlooking the Msandile and the Luangwa Wafwa Oxbow lagoon, it sits opposite the world\u2019s largest colony of carmine bee-eaters, which inspired both the lodge\u2019s name and its beautiful bird-focused theme.\u200b<\/p>\n

It is located about less than hour\u2019s drive from Mfuwe airport\u00a0 and is perfectly positioned for exploring the area, just 10 minutes by pontoon from South Luangwa National Park and only \u00a020 minutes from Nsefu.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

The lodge will initially comprise just three elevated two\u2011bedroom villas set among mature ebony trees, each designed for privacy with panoramic lagoon views.\u200b Each villa will be 239m sq. with contemporary African styling, with floor\u2011to\u2011ceiling glass, indoor\u2013outdoor bathrooms and private plunge pools.\u00a0 The lodge caters for 12 guests but can accommodate up to 18 guests in total on request, using extra beds if and when needed for children\/tweens.<\/p>\n

This lodge has been thoughtfully designed to be inclusive and accessible. One room will be specially equipped for guests with mobility needs, featuring wheelchair-friendly access, supportive grab rails, and discreet panic buttons to ensure comfort and safety.<\/p>\n

Activities will include game drives, walking safaris and boat safaris, with a strong emphasis on predator viewing, elephants, wild dogs and the valley\u2019s notable birdlife.\u200b\u00a0<\/p>\n

The lodge\u2019s position opposite vast carmine bee-eater colonies makes it a prime base for birders and photographers during the late dry season.\u200b<\/p>\n

The lodge will offer high-end, low-impact eco-luxury with conservation and community upliftment at its core, running on 100% solar power, supported by a full water filtration plant and using only biodegradable amenities.\u200b<\/p>\n

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Claire Roadley<\/h3>\n

Claire Roadley is Founder of Umlingo. Umlingo promotes authentic, sustainable hotels and safari eco lodges across Africa and the Indian Ocean Islands. If you would like to be a guest blogger on A Luxury Travel Blog in order to raise your profile, please contact us.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Source: https:\/\/www.aluxurytravelblog.com\/2026\/02\/11\/coming-soon-to-zambias-kingdom\/<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

South Luangwa National Park in Zambia is widely regarded as one of Africa\u2019s finest wildlife sanctuaries, combining exceptional game viewing with authentic wilderness. Covering just over 9,000 square kilometres, the park follows the course of the Luangwa River, whose oxbow lagoons and sandbanks form the lifeblood of its ecosystems. \u200bThe river supports one of the […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":8092,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[22],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-8091","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-travel"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.theblyde.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8091","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.theblyde.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.theblyde.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.theblyde.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.theblyde.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=8091"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/blog.theblyde.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8091\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.theblyde.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/8092"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.theblyde.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=8091"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.theblyde.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=8091"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.theblyde.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=8091"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}