From January to March, the Secret Season spreads across the South Luangwa, bringing the landscape to life and creating a paradise for wildlife and visitors alike. The park is thriving this time of year, with wildlife that are fat and happy thanks to the plentiful food. Elephant, giraffe, zebra, buffalo and other plains game abound, with many tending to their new young. Lion and leopard stalk the forests, and wild dog sightings pick up. The treetop canopies are bursting with avian life. Seasonal and year-round residents show off their brilliant breeding plumage and sing their hearts out to attract a mate, the melody of the Secret Season.
Despite the magic of this time of year, few know about it, making it perfect for the modern-day explorers looking to escape the crowds and find wild experiences on the road less travelled. Imagine stepping back in time to a world that was still largely unexplored, where every corner holds a new delight and wonder steeps your mind. This is the feeling of discovering the South Luangwa in our Secret Season…raw, authentic and thrillingly wild.
Contrary to popular belief, the wildlife doesn’t vanish during the emerald season…just the other tourists. With only a few camps open, travellers are few and far between, creating an exclusive and intimate experience. As you watch a leopard drag an impala up a tree to feed in peace, yours will be the only vehicle at the sighting. As you drift quietly along the banks of the river, it will be just you and a thousand birds swirling through the air. As you walk through the verdant forests, you feel like the last people on Earth. Revel in the rarity of these moments, in the privilege of being in this wild and untouched place where animals roam free and nature still rules the rhythms of life.
ACTIVITIES
Alongside South Luangwa classics like walking safaris and game drives, this is also the only time of year to experience something very special: boating safaris on the Luangwa River. With water levels at their highest, boating safaris take you straight in the deepest heart of the park to territories untouched and inaccessible to vehicles and walking safaris. Venture beyond the banks of the river through the flooded ebony groves. Drift right past Africa’s largest yellow-billed stork colony as they nest high the treetops, drawn to the region thanks to the safe breeding sites and abundance of easy fishing. As animals wander along the banks grazing and drinking, you will get an up-close and personal encounter, seeing them right at eye level. When the sun starts setting and the billowy clouds above illuminate with coral and pink, let the taste of a crisp gin and tonic sundowner celebrate the end of another memorable day on safari. The marimba tones of a thousand frogs and resonant bellows of the many hippos serenade you as you cruise back to camp.
A PHOTOGRAPHER’S DREAM COME TRUE
With the lush backdrops making animals pop and dramatic storms bringing the landscape to life, this time of year offers endless unique photographic opportunities. As the afternoon storms brew magnificently, you will get interesting light, dazzling skies and chances to photograph wildlife in an unusual setting. 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?
EXPERIENCE THE SECRET SEASON FOR YOURSELF…
Time + Tide offers a special itinerary called Rivers + Rainbows created to celebrate the wonders of the South Luangwa Secret Season. With 6 nights total, you will have plenty of time to explore and soak in the incredible natural beauty on display this time of year. As our gift to you, we have included two nights at Time + Tide Kakuli FREE of charge.
You start your journey with 4 nights at Time + Tide Kakuli, located deep in the park and accessible only by boat during this time of year. Perched a tall bank of the Luangwa River, every suite offers sweeping panoramic views and comfort in all types of weather. A waterhole right in front of camp attracts a daily parade of creatures, making for great game viewing right in camp. Sip your morning cup of coffee as you warm your toes by the campfire and watching a zebra and her baby drink below.
Finish out your time with 2 nights at the award-winning Time + Tide Chinzombo, located in one of the most wildlife packed corners of the park. Dotted along an oxbow curve of the Luangwa River, each spacious villa offers style, luxury and utter seclusion. Between activities, unwind with a soak in your private tub overlooking the bush or indulge in a spa treatment featuring African botanicals.
Game viewing activities may occasionally be delayed or interrupted (just a good excuse for another gin and tonic or slice of cake), but they are rarely cancelled.
The best part of it all is that it’s the best value time of year to experience a world class safari. The rates are lower, the crowds are fewer and the temperatures are pleasingly mild. Don’t let this incredibly special time of year pass you by. The road less travelled offers so much more, come and let us show you…
RIVERS + RAINBOWS
- 6 nights total: 2 nights Time + Tide Chinzombo, 4 nights Time + Tide Kakuli
- 2 nights FREE at Time + Tide Kakuli (valued at $730 per person)
- $4,360 per person sharing total with savings
- South Luangwa National Park
Highlights:
- Vibrant green landscape and rivers flowing full
- Perfect for modern day explorers seeking the road less travelled
- Abundant wildlife and incredible bird diversity make for world-class game viewing
- Few camps open and zero crowds
- Best time of year to see endangered wild dogs
- Africa’s largest yellow-billed stork colony
- Dramatic storms and lightning strikes followed by blue skies, sunshine and crystal-clear air
- Incredible photographic opportunities
- Only time of year for boating safaris
- Game drives and walking safaris
Book your own dream safari and experience the beauty of Zambia with us
travel@timeandtideafrica.com
or contact your current Time + Tide travel designer
“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."
"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