Carmine bee-eaters are some of Africa’s most dazzling birds. With their vibrant plumage, extraordinary aerial acrobatics and tendency to group together, they make for delightful birdwatching that thrills even the least enthusiastic birder. These seasonal migrants arrive into Zambia’s South Luangwa and Lower Zambezi National Parks in September and stay through November, when they make their way back to the lush forests of Central Africa. They are drawn to Zambia thanks to the wide availability of exposed riverbanks during the dry months, which make for the ideal site to build their nests. They tunnel into the vertical banks to build their burrows, living in large, social colonies. By using these banks, they create a safe haven in which to lay their eggs and raise their young.
These remarkable birds have become quite the draw thanks to the visual wonders they create, but there is so much more to them. Read on to learn more about their fascinating biology.
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“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