One of the last unknown destinations in Africa. Boasting the second largest Wilderbeest migration, this is another of Zambi’s best kept secrets. As early as the 19th century, it was declared a ‘game reserve’ by the Litunga, the traditional king of Barotseland. Traditionally, the plains were the Litunga’s private hunting ground, and the villagers were charged with looking after the animals for him. Then in 1972 Liuwa Plain became a national park, and its management was taken over by central government – although the local people continue to have rights to utilise parts of the park and its plains for grazing, harvesting of traditional plants, and fishing in the rivers. In the Lozi language that is spoken all over western Zambia, the word ‘Liuwa’ means ‘plain’. There’s a local legend of how one Litunga planted his walking stick on the plains, where it grew into a large mutata tree. This tree can still be seen in the national park. November is classically the best time to visit the park – a balance between catching the best of the game, and yet avoiding any danger of getting permanently stuck in deep mud.
