Later this year, we plan to travel through a few countries in Africa, Zambia being one of them. South Luangwa looks really great, including e.g. the walking safaris they seem to have there. Now it looks like it is going to be November before we will be there. Something like the 2nd or 3rd week of November. I understand that is around the time that things really could get wet. So I am hesitating whether it is still worth going there. Does anyone have more detailed information about this? Is this still a good time to visit? Or even possible in the first place? Do things come to a standstill - or are things still running, but just there is not a lot to see and do anymore? And does it vary a lot from year to year (= just see by the time we're in Zambia, may be lucky, may be unlucky)?
Of course, it varies from year to year as to how wet or dry the seasons are (just like anywhere in the world) however, I HIGHLY recommend the South Luangwa. You will be going at the beginning of the green season and some places are open all year long, at least at Robin Pope Safaris (I believe they are the first to have offered walking safaris, which are superb). Check out their site as it will make you feel better and get excited: http://www.robinpopesafaris.net/.
I have been there during the green season (but in April) and could not recommend it more! We wanted a return visit as soon as we left. We saw amazing wildlife but also had the benefit of it being beautiful too. I don't remember it raining at all.
Enjoy :o)
It will vary from year to year- the rains usually start around late Oct to early Nov. However, I was in South Luangwa for 3 months last year, and left around 20th Nov. I was quite looking forward to seeing the first rains, seeing the park turn green etc but I was out of luck! By the time I left we'd had barely a shower and I don't think the rains started properly until the end of Nov.
A lot of South Luangwa shuts down in the rainy season, but this is mainly to do with accessibility and the state of the roads. Some camps in remoter parts of the park will shut on 31 Oct, quite a few stay open into November or Dec, but very few stay open all year round. The year round camps are the ones closer to the main gate and a few that take guests in by boat. However, in November there will still be plenty open and most of the roads should still be fine. I would say it's still worth going- even if the rains start early there should be plenty of roads still accessible for game drives. Also, it's the time when lots of the animals have babies which is nice to see.
As for walking, to be honest, I'd be more worried about the heat than the rain. Nov can be very hot- if the rains have started it will cool things down a bit. As the rains hadn't started when I was there it was very hot and I have to say I didn't much fancy walking in that heat.
Thanks for the replies - very helpful. Sounds like it is still definitely (more than) worth going there in November!
Would like to suggest that you send a copy of these questions to our favorite in the South Luangwa area, Flatdogs Camp. They are very good about responding, and are located across the river from the National Park and close to the gate.
We spent a month there May/June 09, doing the same this year. Last trip we spoke with others who had been there in Nov and 'green' season who said it is very different but great. Enjoy!
It is definitely worth going in November. Even though the rainy season will have just started, that's almost the best time to go, as it is still dry enough to see the animals but also things are no longer as dusty and dry all the time and the trees are turning green. I spent 2 months down there in dec/jan and just loved it, despite the occasional rain. It's also great in November because there aren't as many guests so you get much more personal service and less crowded game drives.
I stayed at Marula Lodge - they do walking safaris and they offer amazing discounts (on top of already the lowest rates in the valley for great quality) in the rainy season, you should definitely check it out. www.marulalodgezambia.com
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