Discover a different side of Zambia’s world-class safari destination in the green season. Uncover the secrets of the South Luangwa on immersive boating safaris. With the Luangwa River flowing freely, the landscape is lush and green. The animals are framed by emerald backdrops and dramatic skies – perfect for photography. Everything bursts back to life after the dry season, with abundant grazing for herbivores, well-fed prey for predators and babies aplenty. Migrant bird species settle in and adopt their bright breeding plumage. Venture out on foot to explore the finer details of the environment. The green season creates a haven for wildlife, not only for its seasonal visitors, but also a large variety of year-round wildlife, from large herds of elephants to endangered wild dogs and big cats, with incredible sightings of leopards and lions. Soak up the solitude of the South Luangwa and enjoy the exclusivity that this secret season offers.
Journey Information
- Our 5-night Rivers + Rainbows package includes:
- 3 Nights at Time + Tide Chinzombo
- 2 Nights at Time + Tide Kakuli
- Sequence of camps will be confirmed by our Res Team on enquiry
- Return domestic flights (Lusaka to Mfuwe)
- Meet & Greet service
- Park Fees and Conservation Levies
- Available from January – March 2025
- Rates include all meals, standard bar drinks, accommodation, transfers to / from local airport, local inter-camp boat transfers, twice-daily game-viewing activities, laundry and service charge.
- Please note this offer is mutually exclusive and cannot be combined with other Time + Tide offers.
$4,535 per person
Discover Your Journey
SOUTH LUANGWA NATIONAL PARK, ZAMBIA
DAY 1: TIME + TIDE CHINZOMBO
On arrival for green season in the South Luangwa Valley, your guide will meet you at Mfuwe Airport and take you to Time + Tide Chinzombo*. Spend your first night in Zambia in a luxurious safari tent, whose design blends contemporary modern style with the best of a traditional safari camp. Down a winding path, the main lodge beckons. Enjoy dinner under the stars, sip a drink at the bar while browsing through old books and historical photos, or lounge around the fire pit suspended high atop the river bank.
*Depending on your flight times, your first night would be at Chinzombo, however our team will confirm the sequence of the camps with you on enquiry.
South Luangwa National Park, Zambia
DAY 2 + 3: Time + Tide Kakuli
Venture deeper into the heart of the South Luangwa National Park. With the rivers flowing full, you can reach Time + Tide Kakuli by boat, where you will spend the next two nights. Glide through ancient ebony forests, which flood annually with the rains and make for a unique and special experience. Perched high on the banks of the Luangwa River, take in the panoramic views from Kakuli and enjoy the utter tranquility of the green season. Beneath the elevated main deck, a wildlife hide offers up-close views of visitors stopping by for a drink. Spend your days immersing yourself in this beautiful part of the park, where you can enjoy walking safaris, boating safaris and sundowner cruises on the river, a special bush lunch or dinner, fire-side conversations and a star talk over a delicious dinner in camp.
South Luangwa National Park, Zambia
DAY 4 + 5: Time + Tide Chinzombo
Return to Time + Tide Chinzombo for another two nights during the lush green season. En route to camp, you have the opportunity to visit Mfuwe Village for a cultural excursion through the Time + Tide Foundation. After an enriching afternoon, settle into sundowners on the banks of the Luangwa River with lawn games such as croquet and boule. Awake the next morning and continue your twice-daily game viewing activities, or you can choose to while away the day on your private verandah or unwind with an in-room spa treatment, with an added indulgence where every guest receives a complimentary 30 minute massage. Each tent has a private pool and soaking tub with panoramic views over the river and its abundant wildlife and diverse birdlife.
On your departure, your guide will transfer you to Mfuwe Airport.
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Our expertise in African travel and conservation dates back 70 years and today, you can expect equally pioneering travel guidance from our award-winning team. Time + Tide are custodians of some of the most remote corners of our planet and it is our privilege to guide you along the road less travelled.
“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