When to visit

There is nothing worse than arriving at a luxury holiday destination with great expectations and you find that you came at the wrong time of the year. Below you will find some guidelines that will assist in picking the right date for your specific interests and a calendar for our various safari workshops. Please bear in mind that we are closed during the annual rains from 15 December to 01 March.

The rains might subside by the end of March, but it takes a few weeks for the pools of inland water to dry out, forcing wildlife to concentrate more along the river and its tributaries. By the end of May, beginning of June, most foliage would have thinned out, which increases visibility and photographic opportunities. June to August is the coolest time of the year and by far the most comfortable to be out in the bush and on the river. By October the heat has settled in and the canvas canopies on our vehicles and boats are a must. But the sight of new born elephant makes up for that!

Interested in a photographic workshop?
Interested in our elephant studies?

Most anglers visiting the Lower Zambezi Valley are after one fish and one fish only: the Tiger Fish. Although guests will catch this fierce fighting fish throughout the season from April – December, the months September, October and November offer the ideal conditions of reasonably clear and warm water.

Interested in a fly fishing clinic?

Birds are prolific all year round, although during the early months of the season, April and May, the dense foliage may make them a challenge to spot. During these first two months of our operating season, the weather is great to be out all day, clear skies and the heat and humidity of the rainy season have subsided. Like game viewing, the winter months are ideal for birding, especially since no canopies are required on the vehicles or boats. If you are happy to take on the heat in October and November, you will be rewarded with sightings of a variety of summer migrants.

Interested in our birding weeks?

From a weather point of view, canoeing is a great way to relax on the Zambezi at any time during our operational season. However during the rains of December – March, hippopotamus practically have exclusive use of the river. Once the tourism season commences after the rain, we like to give them a good month to get accustomed to motorised boats before we head out in our canoes on the Zambezi.

The winter months offer the ideal circumstances for bush walks. Foliage is at a minimum, which assists with visibility and it is cool. A Zambia Wildlife Scout has to accompany a bush walk and we would ask guests to notify us prior to their arrival of their preference for walking safaris.

Especially the quieter months of the year, March to May, lend themselves to relaxation. It is quiet on the river, the weather is glorious and the most important thing to do is to get yourself on a sofa with a good book after a meal, then join a river cruise in the afternoon to watch the sun set over the Zambezi. Sure, you could do a couple of lengths in our pool, if you really have to… Make sure you visit during the week, when the rest of the world is hard at work.

If you like to combine your corporate getaway with a particular type of activity, pick the time of the year that is best suited.