Zambia green season safari

country:	Zambia
location:	South Luangwa
departures:	This trip can be tailormade any time between November - May and can be adapted to your budget and requirements as necessary
price:	From £3095 (11 days) including domestic flights only, as per itinerary. Based on 2 people sharing. We can arrange flights from the UK
offers:	We offer £100 per person worth of internal flights for FREE.
vouchers:	Gift vouchers can be used with this holiday

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Zambia holidays

the amazing things you'll be doing

One of the most underrated experiences in Africa – safari during the Zambian “summer”.

This itinerary will take you to the South Luangwa Valley, one of Africa’s wildest landscapes – taking you ‘off the beaten track’ to enjoy some fabulous natural scenery and wildlife. The safari activities included in this trip have been designed in conjunction with the local people, and they benefit financially from your visit. It finishes at Victoria Falls at the time of year when the waterfall is at its most powerful.

At this time of year Zambia has its green season. Rainfall is typically of very short duration but can be quite heavy. Unlike other African destinations many of the lodges here stay open to provide tourists with an experience that is both exciting and excellent value for money.

The reasons for visiting Zambia during the green season include:

The air is crystal clear (no dust) – excellent for photography.
The landscape is colourful with many flowering plants.
Sunsets are spectacular and dramatic electrical storms light up the night sky.
Migrant birds arrive to breed.
The big cats move out of the wet bush and are easily viewed.
The mighty Luangwa and Zambezi Rivers are in full flow hence Victoria Falls is at its most dramatic towards the end of the green season.

All lodges used in this trip offer substantial meals in the morning and evening with brunch often taken at viewpoints in the bush. There are bar facilities and tea & coffee throughout the day. All food, soft drinks & local alcoholic drinks (not at Mfuwe) are included in the price as well as most safari activities.

day-by-day itinerary

Day 1-5:	Arrival in Lusaka, take a short internal flight to Mfuwe and check into Mfuwe Lodge inside South Luangwa National Park. Safari activities in the vicinity of the lodge and the chance to relax in the luxurious facilities offered here. In the evening take a hot shower and retire to the dining room where a substantial evening meal is served. Overnight Mfuwe Lodge (FB).
Day 6:	Transfer to Livingstone by internal flight. As you leave Mfuwe there is the option of visiting Tribal Textiles Tribal Textiles was founded in 1991, inspired by traditional African design, a small team of local artists now supplies and distributes internationally to U.K., Europe, USA and Canada. This is an excellent example of a community business growing to sustain the local economy. The production process makes a fascinating tour option. In Livingstone you will check into Stanley Safari Lodge (FB). The luxury cottages offer dramatic views across the Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park to Victoria Falls.
Day 6-9:	Visit the Falls either by foot or take a flight by helicopter or plane. Visit the town of Livingstone with its historical museums and multitude of local craft shops. Take a cultural visit to the 700 year old Mukuni Village where the locals first met a white man when David Livingstone arrived in the area. Overnights Stanley Safari Lodge (FB).
Day 10:	Transfer to Chaminuka Nature Reserve near Lusaka by internal flight in time for your flight home the following day.
Day 11:	Private taxi to Lusaka International Airport for your flight home.

travellers' tales

We had a wonderful time at Mfuwe Lodge in South Luangwa but the highlight of our week was going back to Chingola on the Copperbelt where we had taught for 3 years in the early 70's. (more)

don't leave it too late!

Please note that due to the nature of tailor-made trips to Sub-Saharan Africa we need at least 14 days between time of booking and departure. This time is essential for you to sort out passport, visa and health requirements and for us to make all the necessary holiday arrangements.

how this holiday makes a difference

All of the above accommodation is run by small companies, who train & employ local people into the tourist industry not only as cleaners, cooks & waiters, but also as lodge managers and wildlife guides. All lodges buy their fresh produce from local suppliers. A strong effort is being made to be as environmentally sensitive as possible by e.g. recycling waste products and the use of solar energy.

As the bulk of this itinerary is wildlife based we have specifically sought out partners who share our commitment to conservation of the area visited. Mfuwe Lodge is a sponsor of the South Luangwa Conservation Society and a proportion of the cost of each night you stay at the lodge will go directly towards their conservation work. Specific current projects include:

Anti poaching patrols and snare removal programs within the park and game management areas

Promoting the South Luangwa Anti-Snaring Campaign in local villages and schools

Education of local children to appreciate their heritage and work towards sustainable wildlife utilisation and a balanced coexistence

Sponsoring and co-ordinating village scout training programs

Habitat and wildlife data collection through monitoring by village scouts

Mfuwe Lodge also work with their local community and contribute funds to two school projects – Chiwawtala in the local village and Chilongazi in the remote bush. The two schools have over 600 pupils between them and only 6 teachers! Cash and goods donations from the lodge have helped sponsor more teachers and fund orphaned children through school. Students have also been encouraged to tend vegetable gardens and sell produce to the local tourist lodges. A recent community upliftment programme has involved the introduction of chilli farming to the local community. The spicier the food you eat at the lodge the more you assist the local farming community!

Mukumi Village: This traditional African village has stood for 700 years and opens its doors to tourists wishing to view the traditional African way of life. Tourist trade with local craftsmen and villagers has funded community projects such as water tanks and the clinic.

For all of our tours we provide customers with an itinerary specific responsible travel guide aprox 4 weeks before they depart. This includes a generic travellers code of conduct which emphasises basic responsible travel advice – e.g. reduction of waste and consumption of natural resources, purchase local produce where possible etc. Our holidays are specifically designed to bring guests into direct contact with locals from a range of different tribes and cultures across Africa. We also therefore provide destination specific guidance including advice on local customs and some key phrases in certain languages (e.g. Swahili). We also offer guidance on how to barter responsibly for local curios and what curios should be avoided (e.g. certain wildlife artefacts such as coral, turtle shells etc.). As all of our guides and groundhandlers are local we also give guidance on what a fair and reasonable level of tipping would be at the end of the holiday.

We support the work of Tourism Concern both in distributing their advice to customers and as an active participant in the Ethical Tour Operators Group. Our managing director sits on this group and is a regular attendee of meetings contributing to work towards developing industry wide fair trade standards. We also distribute materials to customers and make periodic donations for the following charities: Tree Aid; International Fund for Wildlife and Survival International Trust. In Southern Africa we support the Southern Africa Sustainable Seafood Initiative and forward their guidance to all customers on which seafood is sustainable when offered a choice at restaurants.

Tourism can be good and bad for destinations & local people.

We carefully screen every holiday against our criteria for responsible travel.

'Look behind the brochure' to find how each holiday makes a difference (see left).

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