South Luangwa National Park

South Luangwa National Park
IUCN category II (national park)
Elephants crossing the Luangwa River
Location	Zambia
Nearest city	Mfuwe, Zambia
Coordinates	13°0′S 31°30′E / 13.000°S 31.500°E / -13.000; 31.500
Area	9,050 km2 (3,490 sq mi)
Established	1972
Governing body	Zambia Wildlife Authority

South Luangwa National Park is in eastern Zambia, the southernmost of three national parks in the valley of the Luangwa River. It is a world-renowned wildlife haven which is known to locals simply as "the South Park."^[1] Concentrations of game along the meandering Luangwa River and its lagoons are amongst the most intense in Africa. The river teems with hippo and crocodile and provides a lifeline for one of the greatest diversities of habitat and wildlife, supporting more than 60 species of mammals and over 400 species of birds.^[2] It marks the end of the Great Rift Valley.

It supports large populations of Thornicroft's giraffe, and herds of elephants and Cape buffaloes often several hundred strong. It is one of the best-known national parks in Africa for walking safaris. Founded as a game reserve in 1938, it became a national park in 1972 and now covers 9,050 km² (3,490 sq mi).^[1]

The Park is unfenced and bordered to the west by a steep escarpment and to the east by the Luangwa River. The Luangwa Valley lies at the tail end of the Great African Rift Valley system, which extends 4,000 km (2,500 mi) all the way from the Red Sea down to the Pungwe River mouth in Mozambique.^[3]

The Muchinga Escarpment in Muchinga and Central Provinces forms the park's western or north-western boundary. It slopes down from there to the river, lying mostly on its western bank. The eastern bank of the river is in Eastern Province, and as access to the park is only from that side, it is usually thought of as being wholly in Eastern Province.^{[citation needed]}