Seven reasons to visit Zambia in the green season

What a revelation – the green season in Zambia is stunning! During the rainy season from November to April/May, the landscape transforms from dry and dusty to a vibrant green due to the abundant rainfall.

The Luangwa River is one of the most dynamic and changeable in southern Africa. Rising in the mountains between northern Zambia and Malawi, it flows southeast for nearly 450 miles to join the Zambezi close to the border with Mozambique and Zimbabwe and becomes an extraordinarily meandering waterway during its journey. The broad valley it runs through is a branch of Africa’s tectonic colossus, the Rift Valley, and as a result, much of the soil is of volcanic origin, very fertile but impossible to travel on when wet. The river normally rises hugely, 8 metres or more from the dry season lows, and floods into lagoons, ox-bow lakes, and across floodplains along its length through South Luangwa National Park. This creates amazing grazing which supports a massive number of herbivores, which in turn feed an astonishing density of predators.

Francis watches a bull Elephant cross the Luangwa river

Its geography lends the Luangwa Valley some unique characteristics, which include being a phenomenal wildlife habitat and a very seasonal destination. The great majority of visitors travel to South or North Luangwa between May and early November when all safari camps are open, and access is easy. If you’re a keen birder or photographer, or if you prefer a more tranquil and exclusive experience, the green season could be a rewarding time to visit Zambia.

Seven reasons to visit Zambia in the green season

1. Fewer visitors 

South Luangwa is still one of Africa’s lesser-known gems, and even during the busier times of the year, it doesn’t feel busy, but in the Green Season, it felt like we had the entire valley to ourselves.  

Limited numbers of visiters to the South Luangwa offers an exclusive safari experience

2. Abundant wildlife 

I was really impressed with the wildlife we saw, which included elephant, buffalo, lion, leopard, wild dog, giraffe, zebra and of course hippo and crocs. The Luangwa River has the highest density of hippo in Africa and might have up to 20,000 of them.   

The South Luangwa has one of the highest densities of leopard in the world

3. Vibrant landscapes

It was intensely green, lush grasses, beautiful trees, flowering plants of all sizes, and the light – just fabulous.  

Francis is poised and ready for a day of wildlife action

4. A birder’s paradise 

The birdlife was also incredible, and it sounded like every bush and tree was alive with birds. It’s a great time to see migrants and waders, waterbirds and raptors.  

A yellow-billed stork wading at dusk

5. A photographer’s dream 

The colour and light, and immense skies make this is glorious time for photography and I’m quite chuffed with some of mine. Nsefu Camp has a permanent viewing hide overlooking the lagoon, which allows guests to watch wildlife drawn to the waterhole.  

Francis snaps two hippo amongst the glorious green

6. Boat and mokoro trips 

The seasonal flooding of the Luangwa River transforms the landscape into a breathtaking network of waterways, meaning explorations at this time of year are genuinely “off the beaten track.” Nsefu Camp are one of the only operators with a lodge open upriver in the green season, and we travelled by boat to camp, a historic property dating from the 1950s. It has a spectacular setting on a big bend in the Luangwa River, and during the two days here we saw a pack of wild dog on foot, a huge pod of hippos as well as some incredible birdlife. It was utterly magical.  

Nsefu camp perched on the Luangwa River

7. Great value 

Travelling in the green season is a great value option for those looking for a different safari perspective.  

Francis found the boating a real highlight of this trip

I have been to the Luangwa Valley many times during the dry season, and it’s sublime. I love the green season in Africa as a whole, so I was delighted that after 20 years working at Aardvark Safaris to see South Luangwa at this magical time.

Other properties we recommend:

Time + Tide Chinzombo – located on 60 acres of private land with views across the Luangwa River into the game rich South Luangwa National Park.  This beautiful camp is set in a shady grove of mature trees and enjoys private access into the park.

Time + Tide Kakuli Camp – one of Norman Carr Safaris’ remote seasonal bush camps in Zambia’s South Luangwa National Park. The camp is situated on a raised ridge at the confluence of the Luwi and Luangwa Rivers and has spectacular views over the surrounding area.

What next?

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