Safari through a different lens
From late November to May, the Green Season spreads across Zambia and brings the landscape to life, creating a paradise for wildlife and visitors alike.
Contrary to popular belief, wildlife doesn’t vanish in the Green Season, only other tourists, making it one of the most coveted spots for seasoned safari-goers. Our camps in operation during this time are Time + Tide King Lewanika in Liuwa Plain, Time + Tide Chinzombo and Time + Tide Kakuli (Kakuli opens in January) in South Luangwa.
1. Isolated Luxury on the Road Less Travelled
With few camps open and zero crowds, the Green Season is perfect for modern-day explorers seeking the road less travelled. In South Luangwa, Time + Tide Chinzombo and Time + Tide Kakuli are connected by the high-flowing Luangwa River, offering serenity and peace and the added opportunity to boat between the two at this time of year. Time + Tide King Lewanika is the only camp in the entire Liuwa Plain, offering a watery wonderland and the chance to feel like the first explorers on earth. With no other tourists for miles, experience a raw, authentic and thrillingly wild safari.
2. Incredible Game Viewing + Abundant Wildlife
The parks thrive during this season with fat and happy wildlife thanks to the plentiful food. Elephant, giraffe, zebra, buffalo and other plains game abound in the South Luangwa, with many tending to their young. The lush landscape results in big cats and predators using game vehicle paths as walkways, allowing an unobstructed game viewing experience never to be forgotten. It’s peak time in South Luangwa to see the endangered wild dog, and now, thanks to the efforts of African Parks, explorers have the opportunity to see them in Liuwa Plain too. In Liuwa Plain, guests are privy to the second largest movement of wildebeest in Africa, who, on their way south, begin dropping their calves with the last stages of the calving season coinciding with their arrival into the vicinity of Time + Tide King Lewanika Lodge.
3. Birder’s Paradise
Birding fanatics will find themselves in the honey pot as seasonal and year-round residents show off breeding plumage and sing their hearts out, hoping to attract a mate. Drift past Africa’s largest yellow-billed stork colony as they nest high in the treetops, drawn to the region thanks to the safe breeding sights and abundance of easy fishing. Liuwa Plain‘s annual floods turn the plains into a haven for migratory birds. Large flocks fill the sky, including crowned cranes and Africa’s largest wattled crane population. Visit from January to May for this incredible birding opportunity.
4. Vibrant Landscapes + Rivers Flowing Full
The annual floods arrive in Liuwa Plain and turn vast swathes of the park into wetlands, creating a natural swimming pool right in front of your luxury safari tent. Find a spot to relax in the main area or on the deck of your safari tent and marvel at this beauty for hours. In South Luangwa, the Luangwa River flows full on the banks of Time + Tide Chinzombo and Time + Tide Kakuli. Kakuli, located deep in the park and only accessible by boat at this time of year, is perched high above the Luangwa River and offers sweeping panoramic views and comfort in all types of weather. A waterhole right in front of the camp attracts a daily parade of wildlife, making for great game viewing. Time + Tide Chinzombo, dotted along an oxbow curve of the Luangwa River, is the perfect place to unwind in luxury and utter seclusion as you watch the hippo and crocodile activity in the river in front of you.
5. Specialised Green Season Adventures
Canoeing, game drives, boating, walking safaris, you name it. Watch a leopard drag an impala up a tree to feed in peace as your vehicle will be the only one at the sighting. As you drift quietly along the banks of the river, thousands of birds swirl overhead. Walk through the verdant forests feeling like the first person on earth. This is the only time of year to experience boating safaris in South Luangwa. With water levels at their highest, boating safaris take you straight into the deepest heart of the park exploring regions untouched and inaccessible to vehicles and walking safaris. Canoeing in Liuwa Plain special activity offered to guests between late January to early April when the flood plains are high. With no hippos, crocs or tsetse flies, this is a wonderfully tranquil experience where you can hop out and enjoy the water for yourself.
6. Photographic Heaven
Wildlife contrasts the lush landscapes so beautifully and dramatic storms offer endless unique photographic opportunities. As the afternoon storms brew dramatic and magnificent, expect interesting light, dazzling skies and chances to photograph unusual wildlife behaviours. After the brief storms pass, the air and skies are left refreshed and clear. Brilliant blue overhead and vibrant green in every other direction, what more could you ask for?
7. The Most Value for a World-Class Safari
Experience the wonders of the Green Season for yourself where the rates are lower, crowds are minimal and the temperature is pleasingly mild. Time + Tide offers a special offer over Green Season; with 4+ nights you will have plenty of time to explore and soak in the incredible natural beauty on display at this time of year. The road less travelled offers so much more.
FOLLOW THE ROAD LESS TRAVELLED
Book your safari and experience Zambia in the green season with us
travel@timeandtideafrica.com
or contact your current Time + Tide travel designer
"The uniqueness of being in a camp with only four safari tents is the ultimate feeling of luxury. Luwi overlooks a wide open grassland that on my first morning we watched a high speed chase - a pack of Wilddogs on a hunt. It was exhilarating to watch and sent our heart rates through the sky adding a lot of chatter and laughter once the pack had passed by."
Jessica, Guest Time + Tide Luwi
"The authenticity and remoteness of the seasonal camps will be a special experience that I will long to return to. There really is no place on earth that you can really escape like you can at the seasonal camps. Falling asleep at Kakuli to the distant lion roars and waking to the call of the fish eagle - really what a magical walking safari!"
Lara, Guest Time + Tide Kakuli
This is the most magical place you're ever likely to experience. Nestled under a grove of imposing Albida trees, it is clearly favoured by the many elephant who graze on the Albida pods. Their presence adds an incredibly special energy to the camp.
Charles, Guest at Time + Tide Chongwe Camp
The lodge is stunning and all the staff are utterly wonderful. The views from the lodge are outstanding, lovely Liuwa wilderness.
My bedroom was incredibly comfortable, very stylish, hitting a difficult combination of minimalist yet luxury. Incredibly comfortable bed and many relaxing areas to rest.
Mandy, Guest at Time + Tide King Lewanika
Our family had the most joyful time at Chongwe, really everything was perfect and every detail taken care of. The team ensured we had the best time at every activity (even tiger fishing!). We felt privileged to spend a few days here and look forward to returning.
Richard, Guest at Time + Tide Chongwe
"Thank you for embracing the unique culture of Barotseland through storytelling, song, dance, drums and the marimba - this is a jewel in the necklace of the African Parks managed conservation areas we are visiting across Africa - much appreciated."
Kingsley Holgate, Guest at Time + Tide King Lewanika
Chinzombo is a stunning lodge in a beautiful location of the South Luangwa. The rooms are luxurious and spacious, with a deck and plunge pool overlooking the Luangwa River. There is always an abundance of wildlife around the rooms, we had a banded mongoose, bushbuck, elephants and hippo's - just to name a few.
Michael, Guest at Time + Tide Chinzombo