MONTH BY MONTH

JANUARY

Liuwa Plain Camp closes from mid January to end of March depending on flooding. Herds of thousands of wildebeest and their calves are found.

The central wildlife viewing areas of both the South Luangwa and the Kafue National Park are open, as are a couple of the Lower Zambezi options. The rains have cleared the dust from the dry season making the air very clear and perfect for photography. Birding in January is excellent as many of the migrants have arrived and are in breeding plumage and song.

FEBRUARY TO MARCH - River Journeys in South Luangwa National Park in Zambia is a magical 7-night safari that takes place during the Emerald Season when the Luangwa River is at its fullest, thus giving rise to some exceptional boating.

“The Luangwa Valley is at its most dramatic in the Emerald Season, with the Luangwa River now flowing over into the brimming lagoons. Boating into these lagoons, flooded ebony groves and flowing channels gives you a view of the Valley which is normally inaccessible during this season“.

The Luangwa River is one of the last remaining major rivers in Africa, and even in the world, that has not been damned for hydropower. This vast river still annually rises, floods into lagoons and channels, changes course and resulting in new lagoons and in so doing creates a rich flood plain river system. To be in the heart of the park, at peak flood time, staying at the first camp built in Zambia (Nsefu) with the river being your only access, is quite an experience.

APRIL - In the Liuwa Plains the flood waters recede leaving pools of water and the park is full of birdlife, predators, plains game and wildebeest.

FEBRUARY TO JUNE - The best time to visit Victoria Falls is from February to June, directly after the summer rains, when you'll see the world's largest sheet of falling water flowing at its greatest volume. BUT the dry months offer another amazing view of the Falls so the best time is debatable. The Zambian side has the best activities like Devils pool, swimming under the Falls, views from the knife edge Bridge and Zimbabwe has a bigger spray in the dry season. 

MAY TO MID JUNE -  In Liuwa as the waterholes start drying out the wildebeest begin to head north in search of nutritional grasses; the effect of natural fires having made room for new growth.

MAY TO DECEMBER - Bangweulu Wetlands Bangweulu means “where the water meets the sky”

The park is one of the best places to view the rare and prehistoric-looking shoebill as well as over 400 hundred other bird species.

February to April, the park comes alive with birdlife and is a birdwatcher’s paradise. As the plains are wet, sightings can be done by boat, while a number of walks are also available.

May to July, the plains are drier and the weather is much cooler. This is the perfect time to see lechwe and shoebills while walking and driving in the park. 

August to December is the real dry season, and during this period the conditions are ideal for game drives and camping. The dry season is also the best time to see shoebill nests.

JUNE - a great month for all safaris at discounted rates and just before the peak season. Visit Bangwelu to see a shoebill stork.

JULY TO NOVEMBER - Considered the best time for game viewing as the dry season progresses.

SEPTEMBER TO OCTOBER - In Liuwa Plain the wildebeest begin to migrate towards the southern portions of the park to make use of short grasses and pans

AUGUST - OCTOBER

The carmine bee-eaters arrive in the Luangwa and Lower Zambezi and start building nests in the vertical sand banks.

Carmine Bee-eater colonies :

1. They are masters of ‘hawking’, a hunting technique where birds launch from a perch, catch an insect from mid-air and return to a perch. 
2. They build burrows one to two metres deep into dry riverbanks.
3. They are drawn to bush fires and will circle high above the flames, catching the insects that are flushed out. 
4. The southern carmine bee-eaters follow a yearly migration route — from August to November they return to Zambia. 
5. Their favourite foods are bees, termites, cicadas, dragonflies, butterflies and locusts. They will regurgitate pellets containing the indigestible  bits of the insects.
6. When hunting bees, they will smash the bees into the branch, rubbing the abdomen to remove the venomous sting before eating the bee.
7. During the breeding season, the females will eat snail shells, sand and other calcium-rich items to help produce stronger eggs. 

AUGUST TO SEPTEMBER -

As water levels over the Victoria Falls have reduced, Livingstone Island and the Devil’s Pool open again.

OCTOBER TO DECEMBER 

The Southern Kafue has REVEALED an astonishing secret. Unbeknownst to many, a variety of antelope species have been gathering in their HUNDREDS on a daily basis to make the most of a very seasonal feeding bonanza.  

With the Musa River and the headwaters of Lake Itezhi-tezhi in the far western sectors of the lake having receded through the season, it has left behind nutrient rich and highly fertile shorelands which, when combined with the sunny days and the first rains, produces new grass growth of the highest quality. The antelope know this and gather in huge numbers.

They are followed by arguably Zambia’s greatest density of all the apex predators in one area – namely, lion, leopard, cheetah and wild dog. Although we see these predators through the year, they really move in for the months of October, November and December.  

OCTOBER TO DECEMBER - Kasanka National Park has the worlds biggest mammal migration. This spectacle of over 8 million fruit bats is a world wonder. 

OCTOBER TO DECEMBER - Liuwa Plain and the start of the green season signals a time of plenty. Sprawling carpets of wildflowers fill the plain and the wildebeest drop their young – predators often seizing the moment for easy prey.

OCTOBER TO JANUARY - The elephants of Mfuwe Lodge are very active at this time as they come to eat the pods of the acacia tree although they are often in the lodge throughout the year.