Liuwa Plains worth it in July?

[philth]

A couple of questions for the old Zambian hands:

1. Is Liuwa worth a visit in July & which is the best camp to base oneself at?

2. Is Liuwa realistically reachable from Kabula in 1 day?

3. Is Roy's Camp realistically reachable from Liuwa in 1 day?

Thanks in advance.

[Kalahari Safari]

Quick reply to your questions:

1- July is not the mostly preferred month to visit. It is just after the floods have dried up and possibly not easy on most of the tracks. Wildlife wise it is the quiet time, unless you are looking for birds.
I would move camps throughout so have the best options to explore. Last camp obviously closest to the pontoon crossing if you can't add a stop-over on the way out.

2- It's a long shot and considering the need for shopping in Mongu I would plan a stop-over. The pontoon crossing after Kalabo also takes some time. Then moving inside the park area is very slow.

3- It is possible and doable but often there are road works slowing you down on the M9 and as Roy's camp is close to M9 it is easily reachable. Kalabo to Hook Bridge is just under 7 hours driving.

[River Rat]

You might still find much of the plains waterlogged although dissipating, we've chosen late November hoping to see the migration.

[ortelius]

We were there at the beginning of August, and it was excellent. I wouldn't hesitate to go there in late July.

We stayed at Kwale, Katoyana, and Lyangu campsites. My preference would be Katoyana, but Kwale and Lyangu are closer to the Kalabo pontoon if you have a long drive on the day of the entry or exit.

We did drive to and from Liuwa exactly from the points you are asking about. We came from Roy's Camp in Kafue, comfortably in one day, including a shopping and refueling in Mongu. And we left by driving in a single day to Kabula Lodge, with a visit of Ngonye (Sioma) Falls on the way.
https://safaribug.wordpress.com/2019...-liuwa-plains/

[Wazungu Wawili]

We were in Liuwa in early July 2018. We knew that was a bit early after the rains, but it was then or never. We weren’t able to get further north than Katoyana due to mud and swamps. Liuwa is an extraordinary and fabulous piece of Africa.

Here is a link to our trip report when we visited Liuwa Plains on our way back to Nairobi from Angola.

https://www.4x4community.co.za/forum...ighlight=Liuwa

[philth]

Thanks everybody. We’re going to give it look despite it not being the best time of year.

[Tony Weaver]

Thanks everybody. We’re going to give it look despite it not being the best time of year.

Stay in touch with the African Parks office in Kalabo - they will be able to give you exact up-to-date info.

[Tooi]

A couple of questions for the old Zambian hands:

1. Is Liuwa worth a visit in July & which is the best camp to base oneself at?

2. Is Liuwa realistically reachable from Kabula in 1 day?

3. Is Roy's Camp realistically reachable from Liuwa in 1 day?

Thanks in advance.

Yes Yes Yes on all your questions.
With all the bridges now well above the flood mark there is no problems reaching Liuwa from Kabula as well as as getting to ROY's camp in one day.
You now pay at the new offices of African Parks once you crossed from Kalabo into the Park.
ENJOY!

[Legome]

Left Liuwa this morning after excellent 3 night trip. Will provide a more detailed write up, and PM some specifics, but for public knowledge:

• We were the only visitors in the park on two of our four days there. Changing camps was possible at any time (May change if it gets busier, but not sure in July. There are 5 sites at each campsite)
• katoyana is currently best for wildlife - Most game is heading north as it dries. In July the situation may be somewhat different.
• Kwale is quiet game-wise
• Sightings: wild dogs (3 occasions), lions (2 occasions) (details on request)

logistics

• Sioma to Mongu is 3 hours leisurely
• Mongu to Kalabo 1 hour
• Kalabo to AP office 1 hour (allow time to deflate - **deflate at end of tar**) - thick deep sand, especially between Salunda Village and AP office. Allow time for at least one rescue
• AP office to Kwale - 30 minutes. Very sandy too, rescue likely.
• Kwale to Katoyana - 1 hour - all your sand problems disappear after Kwale and it’s a joy. 2WD from here onwards.
• IMPORTANT - the direct road from AP office to Sausage tree (and thus Katoyana/Matiamanene) is terrible soft deep sand. We got stuck the worst we’ve ever been. Whatever you do - go via Kwale.
• To answer your final question: given the sand we did not try to get to hook bridge (from Katoyana) today. We understand we need 6 hours from Mongu based on feedback from fellow travellers - 30km max due to potholes from Kaoma to kafue) - there is a dearth of campsites east of Mongu, but a couple of good options in the city. It may be possible to reach kafue from kwale, but we saw the dogs at sunrise near katoyana so we were never going to make it…

I hope at least some of this is helpful.

[Maplesyrup]

Thanks for the previous post, it was really helpful. Left on June 24th after 3 days in the park. I went up to Mukalabumbu before turning around. My 2 cents...

• Drive from Hook Bridge to Mongu took me 4h20. I probably drive a bit faster than most. There is a horribly potholed section of 80 km around Kaoma that took almost 2 hours. The rest is good
• Sand: I agree that the sandiest part is around the office, but I wouldn't dare drive in 2wd anywhere in this park. The closest I got to getting stuck was between Kwale and Katoyama. There is also deep Sand around King's Pool.
• I didn't know there was now a bridge in Kalabo. Big time saving vs the pontoon
• Wildlife: basically, it is gone to Angola and will return in September after the burning has taken effect. Saw one herd of wildebeest of maybe 50 and a few zebras. Lots of birds around the waterholes. I would have low wildlife expectations for the next couple of months. I am amazed that you could have 5 carnivore sightings in 3 days.
• Scenery: to feel small and insignificant in this vast emptyness is amazing and the light is really cool at sunrise/sunset
• General: this is only NP in Zambia that really caters to campers/self drivers in my opinion. There are decent indications and you are given a basic map at least. I saw more self drivers here in 3 days than in 1 months in Zambia. At 80$/day for a solo international, it is borderline overpriced at this time of year, it would be a totally fair price with more game. It is also the only park where you can pay by credit card
  
  Steve

[Password1]

I read recently (forgotten where) that trailers are no longer allowed in Liuwa. Can anyone comment or confirm?

Many thanks.

[philth]

About a month ago there were 4 SA Landcruisers, each towing a BushLapa caravan, camped at Kwale so there doesn’t appear to be a restriction.

Based on our experience with the thick sand I wouldn’t even consider towing in Liuwa except, possibly, after the first rains have fallen.

[ortelius]

Afaik, AP banned the trailers for a short period about 10 years ago. However, the ban was (silently?) lifted and nevet reinstated.

So technically, I think you are allowed in with an off-road trailer. Should you? No, not if you can avoid it, imho.

[Legome]

About a month ago there were 4 SA Landcruisers, each towing a BushLapa caravan, camped at Kwale so there doesn’t appear to be a restriction.

Based on our experience with the thick sand I wouldn’t even consider towing in Liuwa except, possibly, after the first rains have fallen.

How was it @Philth ??