The Luangwa Valley, situated at the end of the Great Rift Valley,
is a region of magnificent natural beauty, abundant animal numbers
and of vast conservation value.
Situated at the end of the Great Rift Valley and is itself a rift
valley: with the Luangwa River winding its way along the valley floor
which is flanked on either side by steep escarpment walls. Its meandering
course has given rise to ox-bow pools and little watercourses that
have become a haven for wildlife; the river teeming with crocodiles
and hippopotami.
History: Right back in 1904, a Luangwa Game Park was declared
on the east of the Luangwa River, but it was only in 1938 that three
parks were officially created in the valley - the North
Luangwa Game Reserve; the Lukusuzi
Game Reserve; and the South
Luangwa Game Reserve - similar to present parks. The Luambe
Park, situated further east in the valley, was established later
on. The reserves were declared national parks in 1972.
Conservation: Protected by the valley walls, animal numbers have
flourished and the valley is known to have been home to one of the
largest elephant populations in Africa. Unfortunately poachers decimated
rhino populations decades ago, also killing thousands of elephants.
But park authorities have subsequently stepped up patrols and anti-poaching
initiatives and due to efforts by legendary conservationists like
Norman Carr, the parks of the Luangwa Valley are set to be one of
the wilderness success stories of Africa.
