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 PlainTime + Tide Chinzombo and Time + Tide Kakuli (Kakuli opens in January) in South Luangwa.

 Take the time to visit these gems during Zambia’s Green Season. Here’s why:

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 LuangwaTime + 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 tooIn 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

    Discover the road less travelled

    Enquire Now
    Destinations

    Zambia

    Zambia is Africa's best kept secret, with its vast landscapes, thriving wildlife and welcoming culture. Trace the steps of early explorers while experiencing immersive safaris in the South Luangwa and the Lower Zambezi. Two of Zambia's most spectacular National Parks with diverse activities and renowned guiding with deep roots in early conservation for generations.

    Destinations

    Madagascar

    Madagascar, an island nation off the southeast coast of Africa, is celebrated for its unique biodiversity and vibrant culture. Home to species and ecosystems found nowhere else on Earth, it offers a vivid exploration of nature's rarities. Discover the unexplored on land and sea.

    Zambia

    South Luangwa

    Just a one hour flight from Lusaka, the South Luangwa is known for its big cat sightings and often referred to as the Valley of the Leopard. It is in the South Luangwa that the legendary Norman Carr pioneered the walking safari and conservation-based tourism in Africa. Zambia's outstanding reputation of guiding is ever prevalent in our team with some of our guides having trained with Norman himself.  Our guides offer guests a raw, authentic safari experience and don't let the finer details in these vast spaces pass you by. 

    Zambia

    Lower Zambezi

    Nestled between the imposing mountain escarpment to the north and the mighty Zambezi River to the south, the Lower Zambezi Valley has a variety of activities that few, if any, other destinations can offer. It has been described by guests as their "happy place" because of its beautiful scenery, peaceful riverside woodlands and abundant wildlife. The Lower Zambezi is just a short 30 minute flight from Lusaka and offers guests the thrill of tiger-fishing to peaceful wildlife sightings on the banks of the river while canoeing or boating. Our guides strive to make each guest feel like they are part of the landscape and not a mere spectator.

    Madagascar

    Nosy Komba

    Just off the northwest coast of Madagascar, a short boat ride from Nosy Be, Nosy Komba is an island celebrated for its lush volcanic landscapes and vibrant culture. Often referred to as the 'forest gem of the Indian Ocean', it provides a spectacular backdrop for Time + Tide Tsara Komba. The lodge blends luxury with nature, offering guests direct access to both the pristine forests and the azure waters of the surrounding archipelago. Known for sustainable luxury and immersive experiences, our guides are expertly trained to reveal the secrets of Nosy Komba’s rich biodiversity and local traditions. 

    “Tsara Komba was everything we wished for our first Madagascar getaway. The lodge is beautiful, with breath taking sea views and incredible gardens. To Nava and the entire team, thank you for your gracious hospitality. Thank you for going the extra mile to ensure we had a comfortable and memorable stay. The food was delicious, with fresh, local ingredients prepared to perfection. We can't recommend Tsara Komba highly enough.”
    Shetil, Guest at Time + Tide Tsara Komba
    "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 at 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 at 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
    "To my sheer joy and amazement, I walked into the main camp area one morning after sleeping in, to witness a herd of elephants crossing the Luangwa River. I was alone in camp at the time and that sighting will be the highlight of my trip to Africa… somehow, the solitude, the sound of the beautiful animals swishing through the water and me being the only one to witness it made it quite a spiritual experience."
    Robyn, Guest at Time + Tide Mchenja
    "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
    "Our stay at Nsolo was truly unforgettable! We were captivated by the authentic and secluded setting, and the sleepout under the stunning African stars was the absolute highlight of our trip. We highly recommend this unique experience to anyone looking for an adventure off the beaten path."
    Lotte, Guest at Time + Tide Nsolo
    "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