Zambia's Emerald Season Safaris

Those of us who live in Africa love the wet season. Life-sustaining rain restores the dry and brittle bush to its green glory and ragged and thin wildlife to sleek good health. Many animals are breeding. Many migratory birds have arrived from their wintering grounds. And then there are those incredible green season skies and passionate rain showers which freshen the world until it sparkles.

Admittedly, the rainy season makes going on safari more difficult. Here in Zambia, the accommodations of South and North Luangwa National Park close at the end of November to wait out the rains and the Luangwa River's seasonal flooding with the exception of a few lodges like Robin Pope's Nkwali and Norman Carr's Kapani.

But going on safari isn't impossible in Luangwa during the wet season. You go by boat. Norman Carr's Kakuli Camp is accessible by boat and is therefore the only bush camp in the park that remains open. All game viewing from Kakuli must be undertaken by boat as well, or by foot. It is not possible to get around by vehicle. Offered between mid-January and early April, Norman Carr calls this green season travel its "Rivers and Rainbows" Safari. Please watch for my review of it in the next newsletter. I am heading to Luangwa again at the end of February.

10-03-2010