Safari to Liuwa Plain

major green season migrations

At 4000 square kilometres, Liuwa Plain is a good sized reserve, the historic hunting grounds of the local Barotse king.

Liuwa Plain is a critical conservation project, founded upon an area which was previously under severe threat from human encroachment and poaching.

The establishment of King Lewanika Camp has greatly stabilised the region and every person that visits makes a big difference to its conservation efforts.

The area is dominated by apparently endless plains, punctuated by small ‘islands’ of trees and raffia palms. The open plain is surrounded by dry miombo woodlands.

The area is renowned for herds of up to 50,000 blue wildebeest, a tenth of the Serengeti migration but arguably as impressive to experience.

Other herbivores include buffaloes, zebras, red lechwes, elands, Liechtenstein’s hartebeests, roans, reedbucks, oribis and sitatungas.

Predators include some famously aggressive lions, leopards, cheetahs, wild dogs and spotted hyenas.

The main activity is vehicle safari, punctuated by picnics and sundowners. Walking safari is also offered but tends to be low-key. Motorboat safari and kayaking may be possible during Nov-Mar.

Liuwa Plain is such a rarely-visited location and not that easy to get to.

The usual stay duration is therefore higher than usual, at around 4-6 nights.

Seasonality

Interestingly, Liuwa Plain has a seasonality which is out of kilter with most other reserves in this region.

During the Nov-May green season, the plain becomes flooded and migratory herds congregate to have their young. The wildlife during this time is prolific with lots of waterfowl, bustards, eagles and vultures.

During the converse Jun-Oct dry season, the herds disperse into the woodlands and wildlife viewing is reduced.

Getting there

Access to Liuwa Plain is usually by private charter flights from Lusaka or Livingstone.

The Kafue area is much closer to Liuwa Plain, but the seasonality of the two areas does not coincide.

A more likely combination at this unusual time of year is the key safari areas of northern Botswana, in which case Livingstone would be the hub for transport connections.

congregations during the Nov-May green season