Liuwa Plain National Park

Liuwa Plains National Park
IUCN category II (national park)
Lady Liuwa, November 2012
Location	Western Province Zambia
Nearest city	Mongu, Zambia
Coordinates	14°30′S 22°29′E / 14.500°S 22.483°E / -14.500; 22.483Coordinates: 14°30′S 22°29′E / 14.500°S 22.483°E / -14.500; 22.483
Established	1972
Governing body	African Parks

Liuwa Plain National Park lies in Western Province, Zambia, west of the Barotse Floodplain of the Zambezi River near the border with Angola. The Park is governed by African Parks (Zambia), which is a partnership between African Parks, the Zambia Wildlife Authority (ZAWA) and the Barotse Royal Establishment, the traditional government of the Lozi people.

Liuwa Plain National Park was designated as a game reserve of Barotseland by the king, Lewanika, in the nineteenth century and became a national park in 1972. Liuwa Plain is situated on the upper Zambezi floodplains of western Zambia and is bounded by the Luambimba and Luanginga Rivers. Liuwa is characterised by seasonally flooded grassy plains dotted with woodland islands. Originally proclaimed by the King of Barotseland in the early 1880s, it was historically used as a royal hunting ground and was protected by the Lozi people.

The park, located approximately an hour from Kalabo, has five community camp sites. The campsites are the responsibility of the community living in the park and with the help of African Parks, the community own and run them. This means that all profit generated from the campsites goes straight back to the local community via the Community Resource Board (CRB) and the Village Action Group (VAGs), who can then utilize this income in the wet season. The camp sites are Kayala, Kwale, Lyangu, Katoyana and Sikale. All apart from Sikale have running water and basic ablutions as well as camp attendants who look after the sites.

Norman Carr Safaris also run a lodge called Matiamenene. This is run on 4 and 5 night set departure dates. The 4 simple, yet comfortable tents are set in a small island of trees in the heart of the park. NCS operates this lodge between April and June and October and December. African Parks are also constructing a new high end lodge in the Park which will be operated by Norman Carr Safaris as they move to the new camp. The soft opening for the new lodge is due December 2016.

Access to Kalabo (the nearest town to Liuwa Plain National Park) has been vastly improved due to a tar road being built over the floodplains which has recently been complete. This means there is access to Kalabo all year around. To get into the park there is one water crossing, this has a pont which 4x4 vehicles can go on and from there is no longer any tar but sandy roads. 4x4 vehicles will be needed to access the park and tyre pressures should be put down to accommodate the sandy conditions. Mongu, the capital of the Western Province is only an hour away from Kalabo and has a number of petrol stations, an ATM and a very well stocked Shoprite supermarket. There are also a few guest house to stay in. It is suggested that you stop at Mongu for supplies as once in Kalabo there is very little, local markets selling a few items. The African Parks offices are just at the harbour before you cross on the pont and this is where you can check in and get any more additional information before entering Liuwa.