Liuwa Plain national park covers 3,660 Sq. km (2 274 Sq. miles), an area largely dominated by open savanna grasslands and riparian woodlands is drained by Luanginga River to the south and Luambimba River to the north, tributaries of the mighty Zambezi River. Liuwa recieves high amounts of rainfall of up to 1,050 mm per annum per annum. The rivers overflow and create wetlands known as the Barotse floodplains. During the dry season, the water recedes and is retained in numerous salt pans throughout the flatlands. The spectacular protected area established in 1972 remained largely neglected for almost 2 decades. The park’s wildlife vulnerable to poaching and habitat loss. As a result, some species became extinct and the wildlife population declined significantly.
Park rehabilitation
In 2003, the African Parks Network took over management. Through a long-term renewable partnership with the Department of national parks and wildlife and Barotse Royal Establishment. Liuwa has been transformed into a successful conservation story. With strategic conservation efforts which include effective law enforcement and anti-poaching patrols, community involvement and tourism development and reintroduction of predators including lions, leopards, African wild dogs, and cheetahs.e a The protected area is famous for harbouring Africa’s second largest wildebeest migration featuring over 45,000 animals including zebras, oribi, tsessebe, roan, red lechwe, reedbuck, and eland. The Serengeti wildebeest migration being the largest.
The Legend of Lady Liuwa
Amidst all the poaching that took place, there remained a lioness that survived in Liuwa Plain. According to a wildlife documentary the Last Lioness was fundamental in the recovery of the Liuwa lion population which stands at over 20 lions. Rehabilitation of Liuwa Plain is defined by human-wildlife coexistence. Instead of eviction, the local communities were allowed to stay and integrated into the long-term sustainable management of the park. Liuwa is a living landscape, where people and wildlife co-exist.
Vegetation
The vegetation in Liuwa Plain national park consists of open savanna grasslands, riparian woodland forests along the river banks, and tree islands found within wetlands. The altitude is mostly flat ranging between 1,022 to 1,100 meters (3,353-3,609 feet). There are wetter and drier types of grasslands dominated by species including Russet grass (Monocymbium ceresiiforme) and Wild Oat grass (Loudetia simplex) along with scattered Cubitermes mounds found throughout the grasslands. The woodland forests contain deciduous shrubs or trees including Horn-Pod tree (Diplorhynchus condylocarpon), Burkea (Burkea africana), Rhodesian teak (Baikiaea plurijuga).
Best time to visit
Liuwa Plain can be visited throughout the year, however, the best months to witness the Liuwa wildebeest migration are November and December at the start of the wet season; shorter rains trigger the movement of over 45,000 animals from Angola to Liuwa Plain. The wet season starts in December and the landscape turns green, migratory birds begin to arrive, and it is a calving season for wildlife. Rainfall peaks in February to April and some tracks in Barotse Plains become flooded and inaccessible for game drives. May marks the end of rains and the start of the dry season. Water begins to recede from the floodplains exposing salt pans that retain water and attract wildlife. As the dry season progresses in June and July, the weather gets pleasantly cooler with temperatures ranging between 26°C (79°F) during the day and 9°C (48°F) at night. Dry season peaks between August and September and October, there’s little or no rain at all. Day time temperatures in Liuwa can reach up to 34°C (93°F). To escape the heat of the day, visitors should plan their game drives in the early mornings and late afternoons.
Activities to do
Self-driving experience
Liuwa Plain can be explored on your own or by hiring a community scout to guide you through. This activity requires 4×4 vehicles and is available for booking at the main reception in Kalabo.
Guided wildlife drives
Those who intend to sit back and enjoy can take guided game drives led by experienced rangers well versed with the wildlife tracks. Guided game drives can be done in the morning or evening and can be customized with sundowner experience.
Cultural festival
Kuomboka festival is a cultural tradition among the Lozi people and takes place in Kalabo town. This tradition is influenced by the flooding of Barotse Plain, when lowlying areas become flooded, the king and his people must move to the drier ground and it becames a spectacle to witness how they do it.
Where to stay
Liuwa Plain national park offers four community-owned campsites and a luxury lodge both situated inside the park.
King Lewanika Lodge
The only permanent luxury lodge in the park, King Lewanika lodge, is owned and managed by Time+Tide company. The lodge is situated on the edge of a woodland forest overlooking the floodplains and offers 5 open-fronted tented villas including a family tent that can host 5 people. Each villa contains en-suite indoor and outdoor bathrooms, king and queen size beds, lounge, and a spacious veranda, making for a convenient place to stay and explore Liuwa Plain national park. The lodge offers bush dining experiences during game drives including bush breakfast, dinners served under the night sky, picnics and champagne sundowners.
Liuwa Camp
A luxury camp situated in an open plains area offers 7 double tented units including a honeymoon and family suite each with en-suite bathrooms, hot and cold running water. in total
The camp is solar powered and can accommodate up to 18 guests. Staying on full-board includes 3 meals, two activities per day, complimentary laundry service and Wi-Fi in the rooms. The camp’s facilities include a communal dining area, lounge and library.
Sishekanu House
Sishekanu GuestHouse offers self-catering accommodation with five self-contained spacious bedrooms each with en-suite bathrooms with hot water and washing machine and flat iron powered by solar energy. Those with little time to cook can hire a chef to prepare meals at an additional cost.
Liuwa Plain Community Campsites
Liuwa Plain national park offers solar-powered five bush campsites located inside the park which include Mukalibumbu, Sikale, Kwale, Katoyana, and Lyangu. The other four excluding Sikale have flushing toilets and hot showers. The camps are managed by African Parks Network in partnership with the local communities and are well-maintained to ensure good hygiene and cleanliness. Visitors should bring their own extra batteries or power banks given that there are no charging points. Sibika Camp 4 features en-suite reed and thatch rooms on raised platforms and specially designated areas equipped with fridges, stoves, basic utensils and cookware allowing guests to prepare their own meals with the help of staff.
How to get there
Located in Kalabo district, Liuwa Plain national park is 750km (466 miles) 12-hour drive west of Lusaka capital city, 500 km (9-hour drive) northwest of Victoria Falls. The main route via Mongu-Kalabo Rd winds through Mongu and Kalabo towns to enter the park via Katoyana main entrance gate. Kalabo town is 35 km (1-hour drive) from the entry gate and is the main gateway to the park. By air, the park can also be reached via scheduled charter flights. Fly from Victoria Falls or Livingstone to Kalabo Airport (KLB) in Kalabo town. There are direct flights to the Matiamanene airstrip inside the park’s King Lewanika lodge. Scheduled charter flights can connect Liuwa to other destinations including Lower Zambezi, Kafue, and South Luangwa national park.
Travel tips
The recommended days to spend in Liuwa Plain national park range from 2-5 days. This depends on interests and time of the year. Visitor numbers are well managed and the park doesn’t get crowded, however. Those intending to visit during the peak season between November and December should book their accommodation in advance.
The best time to visit Zambia is June to October. Liuwa can be combined with other destinations including Kafue, Lower Zambezi, South Luangwa national parks and Victoria Falls. Campsites in Liuwa Plain are available for booking through the African Parks Network. Day visitors must start at the park visitor center outside Kalabo town. Get familiar with park regulations, visitation hours and booking for activities. 4×4 vehicles are mandatory for game drives in the park.
What to pack
Depending on season, packing list for visiting Liuwa Plain should include sunscreen and light weight clothing including long sleeves, hiking shoes, rain jackets, wide brim hat, sunglasses, and a daypack. Liuwa is a high malaria risk area and insect repellant is needed. Among other essential items include binoculars and camera.