Liuwa Plains
Liuwa Plains
5
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
5.0
13 reviews
Excellent
11
Very good
1
Average
1
Poor
0
Terrible
0
africanman_840
Nairobi, Kenya4,372 contributions
Oct 2021
I have to say that I really enjoyed my stay in Liuwa Plains. The park although totally flat has lots of lovely wildflowers. I did see plenty of lions and some hyenas. There seemed to be limitless numbers of wildebeest and Crawshay's Zebra. There are also oribi.
I stayed at King Lewantika Lodge which I have reviewed separately. As much as I enjoyed visiting Liuwa Plains I wouldn't compare it with the wildebeest migrations in the Serengeti or the Masai Mara. Those migrations are much more spectacular.
I stayed at King Lewantika Lodge which I have reviewed separately. As much as I enjoyed visiting Liuwa Plains I wouldn't compare it with the wildebeest migrations in the Serengeti or the Masai Mara. Those migrations are much more spectacular.
Written November 15, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kavlak
Amsterdam, The Netherlands17 contributions
Jun 2014 • Family
The Liuwa Plain National Park is one of a kind. Maybe not the best place to spot a high variety of wildlife but the uniqueness of the park makes a visit absolutely worthwhile. We visited the park in the beginning of June and saw many wildebeest, zebras, birds and a hyena. Unfortunately we didn't see lions or cheetahs but they are there. Even without the wildlife the plains are an amazing place to be. The plains are huge and very quiet so if you don't want to get lost a guide is recommendable.
At the office of African Parks in Kalabo (next to the harbor) you can arrange a guide and a safari vehicle if desired. There is no clear entry to the park, you can pay your fee at the office and cross the river by pontoon. After that it is an hour drive before you're really inside the park.
At the office of African Parks in Kalabo (next to the harbor) you can arrange a guide and a safari vehicle if desired. There is no clear entry to the park, you can pay your fee at the office and cross the river by pontoon. After that it is an hour drive before you're really inside the park.
Written June 16, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
cataractophile
Lusaka, Zambia224 contributions
Sep 2014 • Friends
Liuwa is a wonderful park for those who don't mind driving long distances (2 days' drive from Lusaka) or can spend fortunes on flying in. The best time to visit this vast floodplain area is in November for the wildebeeste migration (yes, Zambia has one too, though not as large as E.Africa) when c. 60,000 gnu come back from Angola or the northern park to the lush southern plains to drop their young and feast on the fresh grasses.
Liuwa is also famous for its hyena packs that have taken the role of lions, though cheetah, leopard, buffalo, zebra, eland, oribi, jackal and lechwe can also be found.
African Parks (AP), the caretakers of Liuwa NP, had translocated more lions, but sad fates befell most of them: 2 males and 1 female were killed by locals (shot, poisoned and snared respectively). 'Lady Liuwa', the last lioness, became famous for her survival instincts (and documentaries made about her), and AP laudably gave her some company. Alas, she never reproduced, though one of the translocated ones did and had 3 cubs. At present there is no proper lion pride,
November is the beginning of the rains, when wildflowers carpet the plains and migrating birds arrive in their thousands. Even in the dry season birding is not bad, but nothing compared to rainy season viewing.
Accommodation in the park is mainly by camping (AP offers 5 sites with 5 stands each, booking essential if visiting in Nov). There is one upmarket lodge inside the park, Matamanene, and a few guesthouses in Kalabo.
Park roads are sandy (to deep-sandy in the dry) and access by car difficult and time-consuming. Relief is brought by the Chinese who are building new bridges and causeways across the Zambezi floodplain, from Mongu to 20km short of Kalabo.
Liuwa is also famous for its hyena packs that have taken the role of lions, though cheetah, leopard, buffalo, zebra, eland, oribi, jackal and lechwe can also be found.
African Parks (AP), the caretakers of Liuwa NP, had translocated more lions, but sad fates befell most of them: 2 males and 1 female were killed by locals (shot, poisoned and snared respectively). 'Lady Liuwa', the last lioness, became famous for her survival instincts (and documentaries made about her), and AP laudably gave her some company. Alas, she never reproduced, though one of the translocated ones did and had 3 cubs. At present there is no proper lion pride,
November is the beginning of the rains, when wildflowers carpet the plains and migrating birds arrive in their thousands. Even in the dry season birding is not bad, but nothing compared to rainy season viewing.
Accommodation in the park is mainly by camping (AP offers 5 sites with 5 stands each, booking essential if visiting in Nov). There is one upmarket lodge inside the park, Matamanene, and a few guesthouses in Kalabo.
Park roads are sandy (to deep-sandy in the dry) and access by car difficult and time-consuming. Relief is brought by the Chinese who are building new bridges and causeways across the Zambezi floodplain, from Mongu to 20km short of Kalabo.
Written July 4, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SimonEspley
Cape Town Central, South Africa75 contributions
Nov 2014 • Couples
Liuwa is a wonderfully relaxing destination for Africa travellers that have already ticked off the Big Five and seek a unique landscape with fantastic photographic opportunities. It's remoteness and difficult accessibility means that you won't be bothered by hordes of visitors. Study available information about the area beforehand so that you get the most out of your experience - which will be dependent on the time of year. The scattered pans are magnets for birds and wildlife during the dry season and during the rain/flood season expect a birding paradise. The huge wide open plains, dramatic skies, annual wildebeest migration, flowers after the first rains and crowded pans during the dry season make excellent subjects for artists and photographers.
Written November 25, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ChrisW311
Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe457 contributions
Dec 2019
Why bother to go to the migration in the Serengeti/Mara, with all the crowds, when in December you can see the second largest migration here ( 45000 Wildebeest and nearly as much Zebra) , all to yourself. Spent 3 nights here and saw tons of wildlife including 4 cheetah and plenty hyena ( 3 dens), and not one other vehicle. Excellent birding too.
Written December 17, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mandi S
Bristol, UK3 contributions
Apr 2019 • Solo
Just back from a wonderful stay at KL. The lodge is stunning and all the staff are utterly wonderful. The views from the lodge are outstanding, lovely Liuwa wilderness.
My bedroom was incredibly comfortable, very stylish, hitting a difficult combination of minimalist yet luxury. Incredibly comfortable bed and many relaxing areas to rest.
Siku, who runs the lodge is just lovely and her team great. If I have one complaint it’s that I put on about several pounds in just a three night stay! The food is really great and I found myself saying yes to the amazing cakes before our evening game drive when I wasn't close to hungry.
For those hoping to see the big five, Liuwa is not the place. For those wishing to have a totally exclusive, luxury wilderness experience Liuwa is THE place. In three days we saw the lion pride, lots of hyena (my favourite), wildebeest and zebra, jackal, many species of eagle, bee-eaters, waders, wattled and crowned cranes, kingfishers, some very large and impressive snakes and monitor lizards and many of those epic Liuwa skies. Really can't fault the trip at all.
My bedroom was incredibly comfortable, very stylish, hitting a difficult combination of minimalist yet luxury. Incredibly comfortable bed and many relaxing areas to rest.
Siku, who runs the lodge is just lovely and her team great. If I have one complaint it’s that I put on about several pounds in just a three night stay! The food is really great and I found myself saying yes to the amazing cakes before our evening game drive when I wasn't close to hungry.
For those hoping to see the big five, Liuwa is not the place. For those wishing to have a totally exclusive, luxury wilderness experience Liuwa is THE place. In three days we saw the lion pride, lots of hyena (my favourite), wildebeest and zebra, jackal, many species of eagle, bee-eaters, waders, wattled and crowned cranes, kingfishers, some very large and impressive snakes and monitor lizards and many of those epic Liuwa skies. Really can't fault the trip at all.
Written April 23, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Johan P
Nelspruit, South Africa85 contributions
Nov 2018
We camped with off road caravan at Kwale community campsite. Tough driving from Kalabo especially if towing a caravan! Very basic but functional ablutions. Hot water for showers and toilets with running water. Friendly and helpful staff. Huge sandy campsites under big shady trees. Beware of snakes in campsites! Park is as wild as it can get. Unique nature environment. Saw lots of Wildebeest and Zebra as well other animals. Bird lovers paradise!
Written December 7, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
RichMsa
32 contributions
Dec 2017 • Friends
We drove from Johannesburg, South Africa and, by day 4, had reached Katoyana Camp in Liuwa Plain (not “Plains” apparently) by the first week of Dec 2017 after crossing from South Africa into Botswana into Namibia into Zambia...
As one of our party so aptly stated - in total our party consisted of 4 4x4 vehicles (mostly Toyotas and one Landy) carrying 8 adults and 2 teen boys - “I am having such a tough time trying to explain why this park was so special”...
Anyone visiting Liuwa Plain should head for the pools/pans around Lone Palm - the bird life is out of this world...
One amazing aspect of the Plain is just how flat and endless it is - I have not ever experienced such a wide open sky where one could pivot 360 degrees and have the impression of being under an upturned, vast, blue bowl...
Katoyana Camp, where we stayed for 5 nights, is a typical little shady, dusty camping experience that seriously needs an ablutions upgrade/expansion. 2 loos/showers absolutely cannot service 10 or more vehicles which the camp can accommodate - we struggled with our party of 10 people...
But, as one does, we managed...
The Kalabo pontoon crossing is a wildly exciting adventure and, from there, one needs to keep it together through deep sand (only one of our vehicles reduced tyre pressure after getting stuck) - by keeping up the momentum no one else got too bogged down...
Lots of wildebeest, each with calves, and zebras were around every corner. But the standout was the hyena... they were scattered around and looked very strong and well fed... they even popped in for late night camp visits...
5 nights was sufficient to really absorb Liuwa - long daily drives over 4 - 7 hours each day meant we got good terrain coverage.
We left just as the skies got quite gloomy and the first rains started falling...
As one of our party so aptly stated - in total our party consisted of 4 4x4 vehicles (mostly Toyotas and one Landy) carrying 8 adults and 2 teen boys - “I am having such a tough time trying to explain why this park was so special”...
Anyone visiting Liuwa Plain should head for the pools/pans around Lone Palm - the bird life is out of this world...
One amazing aspect of the Plain is just how flat and endless it is - I have not ever experienced such a wide open sky where one could pivot 360 degrees and have the impression of being under an upturned, vast, blue bowl...
Katoyana Camp, where we stayed for 5 nights, is a typical little shady, dusty camping experience that seriously needs an ablutions upgrade/expansion. 2 loos/showers absolutely cannot service 10 or more vehicles which the camp can accommodate - we struggled with our party of 10 people...
But, as one does, we managed...
The Kalabo pontoon crossing is a wildly exciting adventure and, from there, one needs to keep it together through deep sand (only one of our vehicles reduced tyre pressure after getting stuck) - by keeping up the momentum no one else got too bogged down...
Lots of wildebeest, each with calves, and zebras were around every corner. But the standout was the hyena... they were scattered around and looked very strong and well fed... they even popped in for late night camp visits...
5 nights was sufficient to really absorb Liuwa - long daily drives over 4 - 7 hours each day meant we got good terrain coverage.
We left just as the skies got quite gloomy and the first rains started falling...
Written January 3, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
GunnvaldG
Skedsmokorset, Norway42 contributions
Oct 2017 • Couples
We flew by charter plain out of Lusaka to Liuwa plains whish is almost on the border with Angola. This national park houses the second largest flock of wilderbeasts in Africa. The number of animals have increased significantly in the decade after the end of the war in Angola. This war has turned the national park to a late starter amongst the Zambian NPs.
We were there for four days and I think that was exactly right.
Morning and evening safaris with able guides and interesting lectures with zoologists that study family life of hyenas added to the value of this exclusive atraction.
We also visited village schools and were shown the life of countryside Zambia.
Our lodge provided excellent food and lodging.. (October 2015)
We were there for four days and I think that was exactly right.
Morning and evening safaris with able guides and interesting lectures with zoologists that study family life of hyenas added to the value of this exclusive atraction.
We also visited village schools and were shown the life of countryside Zambia.
Our lodge provided excellent food and lodging.. (October 2015)
Written December 18, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Safari M
Johannesburg, South Africa160 contributions
Oct 2017 • Friends
Although November is regarded as the best time to visit we were there mid October. What a spectacular place. Great, true African bush experience. Off the main tourist track. Go and explore for yourself. Not much in the area so bring everything with. We had an awesome week !
Written November 7, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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