African Parks Zambia (APZ) has been responsible for the management of Liuwa Plain National Park since August 2003. APZ is a partnership between The African Parks Network, the Zambia Wildlife Authority (ZAWA) and the Barotse Royal Establishment (BRE), the traditional authority representing local communities.  

Liuwa Plain National Park is situated in the Upper Zambezi flood plains of Western Zambia. The park covers an area of 3,660km² of vast grasslands and wooded islands, and the plain from which the park takes its name is 70km long and 30km wide. The park plays a vital role in the Zambezi's catchment and is flooded from late December to June each year.

Liuwa also forms part of a remarkable annual wildebeest migration route. Herds cover 200km from an area to the northwest of the park in June to concentrate in the southern region of the park by November. In addition to significant wildebeest and Burchell's zebra family groups, Liuwa is home to tsessebe, oribi, Southern reedbuck, lion, spotted hyena and cheetah. Rarer species including wild dog and leopard have occasionally been seen.

The park boasts an abundance of bird species, particularly during the rainy season. These include large populations of the endangered Wattled and Grey-crowned cranes, Marabou stork and pelican as well as migratory birds such as the Horus swift and Black winged pratincole. The presence of these and other species, including Southern ground hornbill, Bateleur and Martial eagle, make Liuwa an important bird conservation area.

Liuwa Plain was accredited a national park in 1972 and has one of the oldest wildlife protection histories in Africa.

It was originally declared a royal hunting ground and game reserve by the Litunga (the King) Lubosi Lewanika in the 19th century. Lozi people were originally placed in the park by the litunga as his official game keepers and their strong system of traditional practices, rules and regulations still exists today. 20,000 local people in 432 villages still have utilisation rights in the park and it is not unusual to see people walking their cattle through the park or fishing traditionally, sometimes involving up to 100 people. They also use many of the wild plants for traditional basket and mat making.

The Lozi traditional system in the Liuwa area is run by the Barotse Royal Establishment. This is headed by the Litunga (the King) and the Ngambela (Prime Minister) based in Mongu. Locally, Chieftainess Mboanjikana has several Silalo Indunas (Area Chiefs) under her and village headmen under them. The Lozi are largely subsistence farmers growing maize, rice and cassava, and several keep cattle. Fish forms an integral part of local diets.

As with the majority of national parks and protected areas in Zambia, Liuwa Plain is the official responsibility of ZAWA.