South Luangwa Green Season advice
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 250
South Luangwa Green Season advice
Personally I blame Roccco for this 
............ here we are only a few weeks back from our latest Africa trip and we're already thinking about the next one. Well it was Roccco's posting of the Emerald Season special that started it!
Anyway, I'm looking for some advice on what we can expect if we visit say late March or early April. The sort of areas I'm looking for advice on are:
1. In some write-ups I've read that the roads are impassable so is it really an option to visit at this time of year.
2. For how much of the day is it likely to be raining - and is that every day?
3. If the grass is really long, does that rule out doing any walking?
The places we're thinking of staying are:
Mfuwe Lodge 2 nights
Nkwali 3 nights
Tafika 2 nights
Tongabezi 3 nights
Chaminuka 2 nights
The other options in S Luangwa are Kapani and Kafunta River Lodge. I can't find a map that shows where these are in relation to each other so don't know if we're picking ones that are all in the same area.
Tashak, I think I read elsewhere that you have visited in the green season so would really appreciate your first-hand experience.
............ here we are only a few weeks back from our latest Africa trip and we're already thinking about the next one. Well it was Roccco's posting of the Emerald Season special that started it!Anyway, I'm looking for some advice on what we can expect if we visit say late March or early April. The sort of areas I'm looking for advice on are:
1. In some write-ups I've read that the roads are impassable so is it really an option to visit at this time of year.
2. For how much of the day is it likely to be raining - and is that every day?
3. If the grass is really long, does that rule out doing any walking?
The places we're thinking of staying are:
Mfuwe Lodge 2 nights
Nkwali 3 nights
Tafika 2 nights
Tongabezi 3 nights
Chaminuka 2 nights
The other options in S Luangwa are Kapani and Kafunta River Lodge. I can't find a map that shows where these are in relation to each other so don't know if we're picking ones that are all in the same area.
Tashak, I think I read elsewhere that you have visited in the green season so would really appreciate your first-hand experience.
#2
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 5,553
RuthieC,
Well, go ahead and blame me then (kicking the floor in disgust).
This will clinch it for you and will virtually guarantee that you will not be able to resist.
A couple friends of mine visited early last April, and with the Emerald Season special you would have nearly an identical package (they visited Tongabezi in Victoria Falls and Nkwali (Robin Pope Safaris) in South Luanga). Here is a link to their photo album, best experienced with sound, as it has great sound effects.
http://africa.estelleandalfonso.com
Go ahead and view this and tell me what you think!
Well, go ahead and blame me then (kicking the floor in disgust).
This will clinch it for you and will virtually guarantee that you will not be able to resist.
A couple friends of mine visited early last April, and with the Emerald Season special you would have nearly an identical package (they visited Tongabezi in Victoria Falls and Nkwali (Robin Pope Safaris) in South Luanga). Here is a link to their photo album, best experienced with sound, as it has great sound effects.
http://africa.estelleandalfonso.com
Go ahead and view this and tell me what you think!
#3
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 5,553
(It is SOOOO INVIGORATING to see two straight threads on Zambia after weeks of East Africa and North Africa!!!)
#4
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 5,553
Ruthie,
Kapani is actually a lot closer to Nkwali than to Kafunta. Kafunta is located the furthest south on this map OUTSIDE of the park. I think Kafunta would be stunning in the emerald season because there was this huge river bank below when I was there in early June, that I imagine would be full of water in late March/early April. Plus, their swimming pool is perfectly situated for this view of the river below, as is their natural hot spring jacuzzi that may come in handy at night.
I would definitely include Kafunta in your stay. Also, at Tafika, if you are the adventurous type, you would be able to enjoy microlighting.
Kapani, from the descriptions I have read (a big hacienda type lodge) would actually be near the bottom of my list.
Nkwali, Kafunta, Tafika and Mfuwe Lodge may all be great for a couple nights each before making your way to Victoria Falls. Each of the South Luangwa lodges is spread out enough to give you the best chance of success on this safari with Tafika being the furthest north and Kafunta being the furthest south.
Here is the map that will show you their locations:
http://www.zambiatourism.com/travel/maps/mfuwearea.htm
Kapani is actually a lot closer to Nkwali than to Kafunta. Kafunta is located the furthest south on this map OUTSIDE of the park. I think Kafunta would be stunning in the emerald season because there was this huge river bank below when I was there in early June, that I imagine would be full of water in late March/early April. Plus, their swimming pool is perfectly situated for this view of the river below, as is their natural hot spring jacuzzi that may come in handy at night.
I would definitely include Kafunta in your stay. Also, at Tafika, if you are the adventurous type, you would be able to enjoy microlighting.
Kapani, from the descriptions I have read (a big hacienda type lodge) would actually be near the bottom of my list.
Nkwali, Kafunta, Tafika and Mfuwe Lodge may all be great for a couple nights each before making your way to Victoria Falls. Each of the South Luangwa lodges is spread out enough to give you the best chance of success on this safari with Tafika being the furthest north and Kafunta being the furthest south.
Here is the map that will show you their locations:
http://www.zambiatourism.com/travel/maps/mfuwearea.htm
#5
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 5,553
Actually, Tafika is too far north to be included on the last map but is shown on this map:
http://www.zambiatourism.com/travel/...esfusector.htm
Good luck!
http://www.zambiatourism.com/travel/...esfusector.htm
Good luck!
#6
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 5,553
Wow,
I just noticed Tafika is omitted from that map. It is, however, located just north of Mwamba and Kaingo.
I just noticed Tafika is omitted from that map. It is, however, located just north of Mwamba and Kaingo.
#7
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 9,177
Travel Africa's latest issue contains info about South Luangwa and about green season visiting.
If I have a moment I'll quote the relevant passage.
If I have a moment I'll quote the relevant passage.
#8
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 250
Roccco,
Thanks very much for all the info and links. It was very useful to see the photo album - that's the best way of getting an idea of what it's like.
We are still seriously considering the Emerald Season special, but are hoping that we can get the same deal in April rather than March. We're also going to contact a couple of operators to see if they can do anything comparable - at the moment we're very open to staying at any of the smaller camps and lodges so hopefully this flexibility will get us a good deal.
Also interested to hear from anyone else who has experience of the green season in Zambia.
Thanks very much for all the info and links. It was very useful to see the photo album - that's the best way of getting an idea of what it's like.
We are still seriously considering the Emerald Season special, but are hoping that we can get the same deal in April rather than March. We're also going to contact a couple of operators to see if they can do anything comparable - at the moment we're very open to staying at any of the smaller camps and lodges so hopefully this flexibility will get us a good deal.
Also interested to hear from anyone else who has experience of the green season in Zambia.
