Still pioneering, still exploring

Our Story

Our legacy

Venturing to wild and remote destinations, Time + Tide is a pioneer in the luxury safari and island business. We have a legacy in responsible tourism and offer our guests the luxury of space to feel truly alive, giving guests the opportunity to step away from the incessant “doing” of everyday life and a moment to “be present”.

Time + Tide spans across land and sea in pristine locations with our exceptional teams on the ground taking extraordinary care in sharing our deep appreciation for these destinations with each and every guest.

Time + Tide is a family-owned business, the culture of who we are is the essence of our brand values. We focus on the four pillars: community, conservation, sustainability and local economies in everything that we do to ensure that all our efforts go towards safeguarding some of the world’s most precious places, people and wildlife, for generations that follow.

Our History

The Time + Tide story celebrates the passion and effort of many people and families, bringing together properties and locations to showcase the stunning natural beauty found exceptionally in Zambia and Madagascar.

This story goes back to the 1950s in Zambia where Norman Carr pioneered walking safaris in the South Luangwa Valley, the 1990s when the Liebenberg family chose to showcase the Chongwe in the Lower Zambezi Valley, and in later years when the Peyre and wider Dalais family believed that the beauty of the northern part of Madagascar, in particular the archipelago where Miavana is situated, needed protection and promotion as a sustainable ecotourism development, recently with the addition of Tsara Komba in the Nosy Be archipelago.

Time + Tide was brought together by Thierry Dalais building on a dream of preserving places in one-of-a-kind locations.

Each of these locations need biodiversity protection and the development of alternative economies that see to the preservation of our natural heritage.

Time + Tide has focused on delivering immersive tourism experiences in these places, working with local communities, NGO’s, local authorities, and conservation organisations aiming for long term sustainability and protection of these beautiful wild places for generations to come.

Still pioneering, still exploring – our story continues…

2024
2021
2018
2017
2017 -2013
1996
1950

As the newest addition to our collection, Tsara Komba opens the door to a pristine world where the forest meets the reef in a stunning natural display. Crafted from natural materials, the lodge exemplifies sustainable luxury, inviting guests on a journey of discovery through dense tropical forests and vibrant marine ecosystems in Madagascar. The inclusion of Time + Tide Tsara Komba not only expands our portfolio but also enhances our commitment to delivering transformative experiences that promote conservation and community engagement. Tsara Komba marks a significant chapter in the Time + Tide story, highlighting our dedication to extraordinary beauty in Zambia and Madagascar, where personal luxury, impactful travel, and environmental preservation are at the heart of what we do.

The Time + Tide brand evolves to showcase and honour our vision, allowing our destinations to shine and have an identity of their own. The creation of Time + Tide Safaris gives a clear representation of our Zambian product – a real, immersive and authentic safari experience in some of the most beautiful and diverse wilderness areas in Africa. It also gives clarity on where we want to expand the brand and allows us to grow.

Across the Indian Ocean, Miavana by Time + Tide is raw and refined luxury, a private island sanctuary offering an adventure playground to the modern day explorer whilst remaining true to the values of Time + Tide in its commitment to replenish the wild, tread mindfully, invest locally and care for our community.

The Time + Tide family of properties officially comes together as the Time + Tide brand.

Interconnected through the rivers, our eight Time + Tide camps in Zambia cross the Indian Ocean to reach Miavana in Madagascar.

Raw and refined, Miavana brings together exclusivity and adventure as well as travel and conservation, at around 10 square kilometres in size, this intimate haven is just the place to escape and unwind.

“Throughout my life I have been in awe of nature’s beautiful places… nature has a way of showing you the best of what the world has to offer. My dream is to create a frame for these masterpieces and share them with others.”

THIERRY DALAIS, CHAIRMAN & FOUNDER

Continuing our commitment, Time + Tide King Lewanika was built in the magnificent Liuwa Plain. Time + Tide King Lewanika is the first permanent dedicated tourist camp in the entire Liuwa Plain. With its vast plains, dramatic African thunderstorms and impressive wildebeest movement, Liuwa Plain is often referred to as Zambia’s best kept secret.

In 2013, the Miavana project development was started by the Peyre and wider Dalais family. Miavana is situated in an archipelago of islands off the north east coast of Madagascar. The development saw the rehabilitation of the land and construction work which took more than 4 years. Nurseries were established, invasive non-endemic trees were removed and more than 100 000 endemic plants and trees were planted along with other rehabilitation and restoration efforts.

Miavana’s design and construction philosophy embodied the Time + Tide values and has brought the Time + Tide vision to life.

During this period Time + Tide Chinzombo, situated on the banks of the Luangwa River in Zambia, was also completed in keeping with the Time + Tide philosophy.

We were determined to do more to bring our family vision to life and set about establishing the Time + Tide Foundation. The Foundation is often the only source of educational, social and medical support for communities in remote areas and our dedicated team works tirelessly with local leaders to publicly promote health, advance female education, conserve wildlife, and support inclusive, diverse education. With every year that passes, greater inroads are made to ensure that communities in Madagascar and Zambia benefit from Time + Tide’s presence.

Chongwe Safaris was set up by the Liebenberg family, Chris Liebenberg and his father were both deeply committed to conservation and their love for the Lower Zambezi. In 2006 they set up Chongwe Safaris on the confluence of the Chongwe River and the mighty Zambezi River.

The Lower Zambezi still to this day is loved by guests for its variety of activities, exceptional wildlife sightings and (catch and release) fishing.

Norman Carr, the founding father of conversation and walking safaris, set up Zambia’s first photographic safari company in the South Luangwa. Our Time + Tide South Luangwa Camps are very special camps where guests experience walking between Time + Tide Mchenja, Time + Tide Kakuli, Time + Tide Nsolo and Time + Tide Luwi, following in the footsteps of early conservationists and truly getting to know Zambia.

Our Values

Our conservation heritage dates back to 1950, when Norman Carr set up Zambia’s first game viewing camp in cooperation with Paramount Chief Nsefu of the Kunda Tribes. Today, we maintain his legacy, working with local communities to protect and share rare and unique places in all their natural beauty.

Learn more about our Time + Tide Foundation – Time + Tide contributes annually to the foundation, with their dedicated commitment to community, health, education, women empowerment and conservation.

CONSERVATION + SUSTAINABILITY + COMMUNITY

We are guardians of our environment. Through trust and respect, we embrace our culture and communities.

CURATING THE EXTRAORDINARY

We create engaging, meaningful experiences that evoke emotion and a sense of "wow".

TOUCH THE EARTH

We create immersive experiences that reconnect us to our roots.

GENEROUS + GENUINE

We are true to our word, and we give of ourselves wholeheartedly.

CONSERVATION + SUSTAINABILITY + COMMUNITY

We are guardians of our environment. Through trust and respect, we embrace our culture and communities.

CONSERVATION + SUSTAINABILITY + COMMUNITY

We are guardians of our environment. Through trust and respect, we embrace our culture and communities.

Our Positive Impact

At the heart of Time + Tide lies a deep commitment to the preservation of Africa’s natural treasures and the empowerment of the communities living alongside them. This commitment is embodied by the Time + Tide Foundation, our philanthropic arm dedicated to investing in wildlife economies for generations to come through education.

In Zambia, Time + Tide Foundation operates within the communities surrounding South Luangwa National Park and Lower Zambezi National Park, as well as the community surrounding Miavana by Time + Tide in Madagascar.

Our Time + Tide Foundation‘s focus areas encompass Female Empowerment, Home-Based Education, Student Sponsorship, Healthcare and Wildlife Conservation.

Learn More

"We recently did an extensive trip through Zambia, staying in many camps both in the Lower Zambezi NP and South Luangwa. Mchenja camp with its magnificent location right on the banks of the Luanga river exceeded all expectations! The service by Raphael and his team was flawless! So was the guiding by Godfrey, who we really enjoyed for his deep understanding of conservation and his willingness to share his experience with us. The food was excellent, the room beautiful and the area around the camp makes for magnificent game viewing. Highly recommended"

Cerkia, Guest at Time + Tide Mchenja