South Luangwa National park lies within the Luangwa Valley, whose floor, for the most part, is gently sloping and well wooded, with isolated, broken ridges and a flat alluvial plain. Two large grassland plains are located in the South Luangwa National Park with smaller grassland areas to the north. The Luangwa River inundates its flood plain periodically, usually in February, and after a flood sometimes changes its course leaving oxbow lakes along the old channel. This instability creates the richness of scenery and the highly productive ecosystem for which the Luangwa Valley is well known.

South Luangwa National Park has exceptionally rich and varied wildlife, but commercial poaching has brought the once widespread black rhinoceros population to the brink of extinction and elephant numbers have also declined. The South Luangwa National Park is the Luangwa Valley's most accessible and popular park. It is 9050km² and the concentration of game around the river is of the highest in Africa. Hippo, buffalo, warthog, the endemic Thornicroft’s Giraffe, bush buck, kudu, eland, reedbuck, waterbuck, puku, roan and Lichtenstein’s Hartebeest are just a few of the game species of game that may be seen. The area is also well known for its predators, which include lion, leopard and spotted hyena. This is an excellent birding area, and among others, many raptor and waterfowl species may be seen. South Luangwa National park is also one of the few national parks that allow night safaris.

The peak travel season is May to October. May to August it's still pleasantly cool and dry. September and October are very hot and the humidity is building up, but these are the best months to spot the game as they gather close to the river and watering holes. November to December is hot and humid and January to April is the rainy (or "green") season, some lodges close during this period, other give reduced rates. The rainy season is the best time to go bird watching. From March to June is the best time to spot the elusive African wild dog.