A remote frontier national park in Zambia’s far west, Liuwa Plain is impressively unspoiled. If you’re not outrageously adventurous, Liuwa is only accessible on organised expeditions with Robin Pope Safaris, as there are no roads or permanent accommodation available. November and December departures operate at the early stages of Zambia’s rains, with imposing storms, wildebeest young being born, migrant birds arriving and wild flowers in bloom. Soon after, the park becomes flooded and completely inaccessible, but returning in early May, the pans are full, birdlife abundant and wildlife happy and refreshed!

Liuwa Plain itself is a flat expanse of mainly grassland, interrupted by occasional water pans and tree islands. Wildlife includes buffalo, wildebeest, red lechwe, hartebeest and reedbuck, plus rarities such as sitatunga and oribi. Many of these gather in large herds that have perhaps erroneously been described as migrations, but nevertheless the significant congregations of blue wildebeest, zebra and other antelope is an impressive sight that you will be sharing with very few other people. There are also small numbers of leopard, hyena, lion, cheetah and even wild dog, which are not guaranteed but increasingly frequently sighted. Remote, wild and uncompromising, a visit to Liuwa is a privilege that few get the chance to enjoy.