This Country Has Two Mammal Migrations In One Season.

Many travel guides recommend that first-time visitors to Zambia make the trip in the dry season, which typically runs from May to October, as it’s the prime time to see wildlife. However, the wetter ‘Emerald Season’, which runs from November to April, is not to be underrated. Here’s our pick of the top experiences around.

Wildebeest migration

The Liuwa National Park in Western Province hosts the blue wildebeest migration in November, which is considered the second largest blue wildebeest migration in the world. The Luambimba and Luanginga rivers overflow into the flood plains providing a source of water for the wildebeest and zebra. Visitors can expect to see wildlife such as lions, jackals, hyena and the rare wild dog.

If visiting Liuwa National Park during April and staying at the King Lewanika Lodge which overlooks the Zambezi river, guests may be treated a sighting of the Kuomboka ceremony of the Lozi tribe, the resident people of the area.

During the months of November – January, blue wildebeest migrate to Liuwa National Park

Between October and December, Kasanka National Park in Serenje, a town in Central Province, hosts approximately five million fruit bats. At sundown, the bats congregate to feed on the local masuku fruit found in the forests of the park. Visitors can stand at different vantage points in Kasanka to watch this phenomenon. While at the park, visitors can do other activities such as biking, canoe rides or day trips to the Kundalila Falls or Nsalu caves. International entrance fee to Kasanka is USD$10.

Kasanka National Park is five-to-six hour drive from Lusaka, Zambia’s capital city or can be accessed via the Tanzania Zambia Railway (Tazara)

New arrivals

The Emerald Season is a time of new births for elephants, impalas (a type of antelope) and other mammals which can be seen on safari in the national parks.

The Emerald Season in Zambia is a chance to spot baby animals in the national parks

Stay at a luxury lodge for less

Many lodges and camps in national parks close during the Emerald Season due to some of the untarred roads leading to the parks being impassible. However, some remain open throughout the year in parks such as Kafue, South Luangwa and Lower Zambezi and offer significant discounts to encourage guests to visit.

Savor the sunset

While the Emerald Season is characterized by rain, day storms usually pass quickly. When the clouds clear, the sun comes out and makes for a spectacular sunset – perfect to enjoy with a sundowner.

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Photographic safaris

The rains bring with them clear air, natural light and lush vegetation, which are a photographer’s dream. Several operators including Edward Selfe and Patrick Bentley run year-round group and solo photographic safaris in South Luangwa, Nsumbu, Lower Zambezi, Kasanka, Kafue and Liuwa National Parks.

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Birdlife

In the Emerald Season, migratory birds make their temporal home in Zambia’s national parks lured by the lush vegetation and flora. Lochinvar, Kasanka, Lower Zambezi, South Luangwa and Liuwa Plains are rich in birds such as the wattled crane, red-chested cuckoos, swallows, swifts, hobbies, bee-eaters and more. Operators offer birdwatching safaris of different lengths in various national parks.

Victoria Falls

Victoria Falls in Livingstone, Zambia’s tourist capital, are the biggest falls in the country, measuring 1.24 miles (2km) wide and 338 feet (103 metres) deep. To see the full force of the waterfalls, visit in March or April. This is also the best time to see a lunar rainbow or ‘moonbow’, which occurs when a full moon is bright enough for its light to be reflected in raindrops. Other activities that can be enjoyed at the falls during the Emerald Season include white water rafting from February to April, swimming under the falls from November to January, and river surf during the same period.

Tip: Stay at the Tongabezi or River Chundu island lodges in Livingstone for the ultimate luxury experience.

River journeys

The beginning and end of the Emerald Season (November and April) provide the perfect opportunity to do a canoe safari in Lower Zambezi and South Luangwa National Parks. Birdlife, hippos, elephants, zebra, impala and baboons can be seen while boating in Lower Zambezi and South Luangwa. February and March in Liuwa Plains National Park are the best time to do a canoe safari in Liuwa Plains National Park. Operators such as Robin Pope safaris offer up to a week-long river journeys in the South Luangwa National Park.

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Enjoy the solitude

Due to the inaccessible roads leading to national parks and camps during the rainy Emerald Season, those who do make the trek will be rewarded with splendid solitude as some tourists in the more remote camps may find themselves being the only guests and not see any other groups on safari, giving the feeling of being at one with nature.

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