South Luangwa definitely ranks tops on Zambia's list of top safari destinations. It's a pretty and scenic park with sweeping floodplains, oxbow lakes and woodland thickets alongside the perennial Luangwa River which attracts a wide variety of game. It's also probably one of the best destinations in Africa for walking safaris, where you'll be in the company of expert guides and experienced, armed trackers. The river teems with hippos and you're likely to see huge herds of elephant and buffalo, as well as the more unusual, endemic Thornicroft’s giraffe with their distinctive patterns. Leopards are often spotted on night drives, (permitted in Zambia's national parks) as well as other shy nocturnal creatures like porcupine, serval cat and civet.