The Luangwa River which flows through the valley is one of the major tributaries of the great Zambezi River, and one of the four largest rivers in Zambia.
Wildlife conservation in this area dates back to the late 19th Century when the British South Africa Company, established by Cecil John Rhodes, was in charge of the administration of this land and put a ban on hunting of hippos, buffalos and many other species which today are bountiful in the valley. The region is home to 60 mammals including elephant, lion, wild dog, buffalo, hippo and antelope, as well as over 400 bird species and as a result is a spectacular African safari destination.