New York - November 21, 2024: From November through April, Zambia's Luangwa Valley enters its “green season,” characterized by heavy rains that nourish the landscape. This season brings lush greenery, with vegetation and warm days often interrupted by refreshing afternoon showers. The valley's rivers and lagoons rise, attracting an array of birdlife, while the arrival of newborn herbivores marks the start of a new life cycle. With fewer visitors in the parks and more affordable accommodation rates, the green season in Zambia offers safari-goers a unique and peaceful wildlife experience.
Although some lodges and camps close during this period, several remain open, offering intimate stays with fewer guests. Below, we’ve curated a selection of lodges that are ideal for experiencing Zambia during this season.
Nkwali Camp, South Luangwa National Park
Nkwali Camp, located on private land along the riverbank, offers an authentic safari experience with six open-fronted chalets that provide excellent views of the surrounding wildlife. Each chalet is equipped with double or twin beds, mosquito nets and en-suite bathrooms with hot open-air showers. Guests can unwind by the pool while observing elephants that frequent the area. The communal bar, built around an ebony tree, invites social interaction with comfortable seating and river views. Dining options include meals in the thatched dining room or under the stars, with occasional dinners set up on sandbanks in the river. The green season enhances the experience, as new growth brings an influx of migratory birds, including storks and the rare Angola Pitta, making it a perfect time for birdwatching.
HOW: Nkwali Camp is priced from £404 (approx. $427) per person, per night during the green season. This rate includes accommodations and activities. Meals and drinks are charged per person, per night. Park entry costs are extra. For more information and to book, please visit: www.robinpopesafaris.net.
Flatdogs Camp, South Luangwa National Park
Nestled near the Mfuwe Gate of South Luangwa National Park, Flatdogs Camp offers a variety of accommodations, from classic safari tents to exclusive use of safari pads. Its prime location allows for plentiful wildlife sightings, including elephants and giraffes. Guests can enjoy modern amenities such as two swimming pools and an all-day à la carte restaurant. Flatdogs Camp benefits from a well maintained network of all weather roads, ensuring access to game drives throughout the green season, when wildlife is abundant and the landscape is lush.
HOW: The Classic Safari Tents are priced from £251 (approx. $265) per person, per night during the green season. This package includes accommodation, meals, twice-daily game-viewing activities, park entry fees, donations to the Luangwa Conservation & Community Fund (LCCF), laundry service and airport transfers. For more information and to book, please visit: www.flatdogscamp.com.
Mfuwe Lodge, South Luangwa National Park
Mfuwe Lodge is strategically located in South Luangwa National Park, overlooking the scenic Mfuwe Lagoon, home to a large pod of hippos and lush Nile cabbage. The lodge features high beamed ceilings and thatched roofs, and its open-plan dining room, lounge and bar lead to a spacious pool deck with lagoon views. Guests can unwind with spa treatments at the newly opened Bush Spa, also overlooking the lagoon. The lodge consists of 18 timber and thatch chalets, including two split-level suites and two family rooms, each offering expansive sun decks and views of the lagoon. Inside, the chalets are thoughtfully designed with double or twin beds, walk-in mosquito nets, fans, writing desks, fridges and en-suite shower rooms. With a well-established network of all-weather roads, Mfuwe Lodge is an excellent base for morning, afternoon and night game drives during the green season, allowing for easy access to wildlife viewing.
HOW: Mfuwe Lodge is priced from £400 (approx. $423) per person, per night during the green season. This package includes accommodations, meals, tea/coffee, game activities, laundry, 16% government VAT taxes, shared road transfers (Mfuwe Airport) and service charge. For more information and to book, please visit: www.bushcampcompany.com.
Royal Zambezi Lodge, Lower Zambezi National Park
Royal Zambezi Lodge, situated along the banks of the Zambezi River, offers a tranquil retreat with 15 secluded tents, including eight classic suites, four deluxe chalets with plunge pools and three large presidential suites. Each suite features private decks with stunning river views. The lodge’s open plan reception, lounge and dining areas, with their high thatched roofs and fireplaces, create a welcoming atmosphere. Guests can dine alfresco on a wide veranda or relax on a timber deck overlooking the floodplain, perfect for wildlife viewing. As the only lodge remaining open in Lower Zambezi National Park during the green season, guests can enjoy the park's sanctuary without the crowds. The lodge hosts exclusive birding safaris in February, led by renowned birding expert Leslie Reynolds, offering the chance to spot more than 300 bird species. Families are also welcome, with plenty of activities for children, such as playing boules on a sandbar or participating in kid-friendly fishing trips.
HOW: Royal Zambezi Lodge is priced from £519 (approx. $549) per person, per night during the green season. This rate includes accommodations, all meals, soft drinks, house wines, local beers, non-premium drinks, filtered water, teas/coffee, two activities per day, private guiding/vehicle/boat, complimentary 15-minute foot/hand massage at the Royal Bush Spa, laundry and Wi-Fi, return Royal Airstrip transfers, green levy, 16% VAT and tourism levy. For more information and to book, please visit: www.royalzambezilodge.com.
The Zambia Safari Company
For those seeking adventure, The Zambia Safari Company offers a memorable mobile safari experience during the green season. Guests can explore Zambia's stunning landscapes while their accommodations move with them, allowing for an immersive journey through remote areas rarely visited by other travelers. This unique experience provides the flexibility to witness diverse wildlife in different habitats, enhancing the overall safari adventure.
Next season, guests can look forward to a captivating six-night bug safari led by a knowledgeable local entomologist. This engaging experience invites participants to discover the intriguing world of insects in Kafue National Park, revealing the hidden wonders of the ecosystem and deepening their appreciation for the region's biodiversity.
HOW: The pre-set Great Zambia Circuit route is priced from £2,197 (approx. $2,326) per person in the green season. This route includes the Forest Inn, Mkushi Bangweulu Wetlands, Mutinondo Wilderness Area, Kapishya Hot Springs, North Luangwa Mobile Camp and Zikomo Camp. For more information and to book, please visit: www.thezambiasafaricompany.com.
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