Liuwa Plain National Park

Liuwa Plain - big cats, waterbirds and wildebeest migrations

Liuwa Plain National Park is all about big cats, vast open spaces, seasonal floods bringing flushes of flowers and waterbirds, and herds of wildebeest - Africa's 2nd-largest wildebeest migration. Liuwa's seemingly boundless horizon reminds us of East Africa's most renowned safari destinations – MINUS THE CROWDS.

Enjoy spending time with a growing lion population that is relaxed around vehicles thanks to iconic Lady Liuwa – the "Last Lioness" made famous by filmmaker Herbert Brauer. Other predators such as cheetahs, hyenas, servals and roaming wild dogs are also on offer.

The Liuwa Plain safari diary:

May to July: Birds feast on fish as the water recedes. Large flocks of cranes are abundant, making this the best time to photograph bird life. Lechwes start to move down to the wetlands. Large herds of wildebeest congregate outside the park, from Luola to Mushukula;

August to October: the dry season. Bird life is still abundant - especially at remaining pools of water. Vegetation dries up, and trees drop their leaves. A large number of wildebeest return to the park through the northern corridor and concentrate with other wildlife in the north;

November to December: This is the start of the rainy season – preceded by heavy cloud cover, thunderstorms and lightning. Flowers and green grass cover the park, and the wildebeest start arriving in large numbers and calving. This is Africa's 2nd-largest wildebeest migration, and the predators feast on the spoils.

January to April - much of the park is flooded and inaccessible.

African Parks has managed Liuwa Plain National Park since 2003 - in partnership with the Department of National Parks and Wildlife and the Barotse Royal Establishment.

Today, with over 10,000 people legally living within the park, Liuwa is a prime example of how people and wildlife can coexist and benefit in a shared landscape.

Ecosystem sustainability has been restored by effective conservation law enforcement, sustainable fish harvesting and other community projects, providing alternative livelihoods for local people.

Reintroductions of lions, cheetahs, eland and buffalo were welcomed by the people of Liuwa, who have a renewed commitment and sense of custodianship of their land.