As we unite our destinations under Time + Tide, we wanted to celebrate the unique spirit of each destination, from the wildlife that thrives there to the colours that paint the landscape. Our four designs complement each other while all being as wonderfully exceptional as the destinations themselves..

CREATING THE DESIGN

To capture the essence of the region, we selected a hero animal on which to centre the designs. We then filled out the design with other key animals, birds, flowers and insects from the area for a lush, wild feel. The end product is a design that gives an authentic sense of the ecosystem and the sights and sounds that you experience while there. When you look at the design, we want you to hear the snorts and bellows of the Lower Zambezi’s hippos, see the graceful wingbeats of a crane as it flies across the Liuwa Plain and imagine the agile antics of the lemurs in Nosy Ankao’s forests.

SPIRIT OF LIUWA PLAIN : THE DESIGN

Through our Liuwa Plain pattern, we invite you to immerse into the magnificence of an endless landscape where space and time seemingly stand still. Step out onto the vastness of the Liuwa Plain and find yourself halfway between earth and sky. Peer into the eyes of a curious hyena pup as it cautiously approaches your vehicle, ears perked and nose surveying the air. Feel the wind on your face as it sweeps past from distant lands, sending the feathery tips of the grass dancing. Listen to a thunderstorm brewing on the horizon as wildebeest and zebra meander through a mosaic of wildflowers. Marvel at the dazzling speed of a cheetah as it pursues a tiny oribi. Sip on a gin and tonic as dragonflies mill about and a dozen crowned cranes fly overhead, moving like calligraphy silhouetted against the sunset.

We selected the lion to be our hero because of the central role they play in the richly intertwined natural and cultural heritage of Liuwa Plain. Due to poaching, the lion population once dwindled down to just one lone lioness – Lady Liuwa. In order to survive, she was cunning and strong, learning to live in mutual respect with humans on the periphery of villages, which hyenas avoided. She often rested in a grove of trees where Mambeti, the favourite daughter of the Litunga (king) was buried, leading many locals to believe Lady Liuwa was the reincarnated spirit of Mambeti. Since taking over the conservation management of the region, African Parks Network has worked diligently to rebuild the lion population. Several translocations of male and female adults from nearby Kafue National Park has led to a growing population that regularly produces new cubs. Still to this day the cubs and juveniles spend plenty of time around Time + Tide King Lewanika, preferring to rest in the shade of our forested grove. A few times the curious young males were comfortable enough to make a foray through the lodge’s main area, even stealing a toilet brush from the bathroom.

Alongside the lion, we incorporated wildebeest, zebra, hyenas, cheetah, waterlilies, wildflowers, a dung beetle and dragonflies. Liuwa Plain is home to Africa’s second biggest annual migration, with tens of thousands of wildebeest and zebra making their way through the park every year. As the apex predators of the ecosystem, and often in clans numbering up to 50 individuals, hyenas were a natural addition to the design. Cheetahs are celebrated as another success story from APN’s conservation efforts, with a steadily growing population that welcomed an impressive 22 new cubs last year. Every year when the rains arrive, wildflowers erupt across the plains creating a breath-taking backdrop for the arrival of Africa’s largest species of flying dung beetle and the migrating wildebeest. Following the rains, the seasonal floods arrive and turn the savannah into a wetland paradise that attracts thousands of different birds, including Africa’s densest concentrations of the endangered crowned and wattled cranes.

SPIRIT OF LIUWA PLAIN : THE COLOURS

A vast and remote plain in the westernmost reaches of Zambia, Liuwa Plain’s beauty lies in its vast grandeur. When choosing colours, we opted for hues that celebrate the sense of immenseness that overcomes you when visiting Liuwa Plain. The pale blue hue represents the endless skies and flood plains. When water levels are at their highest, you can sit in a kayak and look around you in every direction and see hardly anything expect shades of blue. To complement this, we selected a sandy yellow to represent the grassy savannah that stretches to the horizons. Whether it’s high noon or sunset, the plains shift from one golden hue to another, always bringing a warmth to the land. Together, these tones capture the wild beauty of Liuwa Plain National Park.

Book your own dream safari and experience the beauty of the Liuwa Plain, Zambia with us

cath@timeandtideafrica.com

or contact your current Time + Tide travel designer

Discover the road less travelled

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Destinations

Zambia

Zambia is Africa's best kept secret, with its vast landscapes, diverse wildlife and welcoming culture. Trace the steps of early conservationists while experiencing walking safaris in the South Luangwa. Come face to face with giants as you glide quietly in a canoe along the reeds in the Lower Zambezi. Feel the rumble of a distant thunderstorm on Liuwa Plain’s horizon as you marvel at the sight of gathering wildebeest amongst a flush of colourful wildflowers.

Destinations

Madagascar

Fringed by white sand beaches and colourful coral reefs, Miavana is a haven of luxury at the ends of the Earth. Raw and refined, this private island sanctuary brings together world-class luxury in a world of rare wildlife and extraordinary landscapes. Madagascar is like nowhere else on the planet. A land of lemurs and chameleons, turtles and terns, where unknown species are still being discovered to this day. Miavana is the ultimate destination for modern-day explorers, an adventure playground offering an unrivalled range of activities that span the horizons of land, sea and air, celebrating the very best of this remarkable region.

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

Liuwa Plain

Liuwa Plain’s vast savannah is one of the oldest conservation areas in Africa, yet it’s one of Africa’s best-kept secrets. With its golden grasslands and shimmering lagoons, Liuwa Plain transforms with the arrival of the rains from a vast grass plains to a watery wonderland.

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.

"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