The Emerald Season is arguably the most underrated time of the year for  travel in Zambia. From November to April the Luangwa Valley in particular is transformed into a lush wonderland thanks to the seasonal rains. The Luangwa River is at its fullest and the South Luangwa National Park becomes inundated with excess water, which results in some exceptional boating safaris, walks and the occasional drive. It’s a period of rejuvenation for nature, but also a chance to get away from the usual safari season and take advantage of some attractive green season deals - it is also a phenomenal time for birding.

For Twitchers the South Luangwa is held in high esteem, as it is home to over 450 species. During the Emerald Season, there is the bonus of several species of migratory birds such as the Palearctic migrants from Northern Europe and the intra-African migrants. These visitors include the Red chested Cuckoo, Eurasian swallows, swifts, hobbies and several Bee-eaters, as well as birds of prey such as the Steppe eagles and even Steppe buzzards, that come all the way from Russia. In addition there are the Amur Falcons which also come in from the steppes of Russia in their thousands, a flight of over 7 000 kilometres.

One of the most sought after birds to see, on most twitchers' wish list is the delightful African Pitta. This extremely elusive migratory bird arrives in mid to late November and loves to live in the dense thickets making it difficult to spot. Their distinctive call however is what usually alerts to their location and you are often rewarded with a fleeting glimpse and if lucky a photo opportunity. Timing is critical though as the moment the pittas start breeding, they stop ‘calling’.

During the green season, it’s not just the landscape that undergoes a colourful transformation. As it's breeding season, the birdlife also gets an extra burst of colour, with the males proudly showing off their breeding plumage. The Stork Colony up at Nsefu is in full swing during the green season and the yellow billed storks proudly display their crimson breeding plumage as do the Sacred Ibis.

The sky is filled with colours with birds such as the African Ground Hornbill, a variety of Kingfishers, Lilac Breasted Rollers and Lilian’s Lovebirds.

Contact us for some exception Safaris - as there are some great offerings from Robin Pope Safaris.

The Zambian Department of Immigration has announced the waiver of all visa fees (including day trip visas), for Australia, Canada, China, European Union, Gulf States (Bahrain, Kuwait, Iraq, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates) Japan, South Korea, United Kingdom and United States of America, effective 1st November 2022. This visa policy adjustment is pursuant to Statutory Instrument Number 68 of 2022.

The waiver only applies to the visa ‘fee’ requirement. All other visa requirements, including the need to apply for visas before travelling and obtaining visas on arrival, as the case may be, shall still apply, the only change being that nationals of the above-listed countries will not pay for the visas.

With regards the KAZA UNIVISA (the visa that allows easier travel between Zimbabwe and Zambia), the fee will still be applicable.

It was announced on 30 September 2022 that visa fees are no longer applicable for clients travelling to Zambia from many of the main Tourism markets: Passengers carrying passports from the UK, the USA, Canada, Australia or the European Union will no longer have to purchase visas in order to enter Zambia.

Although this new ruling was planned to take effect on Saturday 01 October, as the announcement was only made on Friday, it may take a few days for the news to be distributed to all immigration offices.

 
On the 1st of July 2022, the Government of Zambia and conservation non-profit organisation, African Parks, announced the signing of a 20- year-agreement for the Kafue National Park in a landmark commitment to secure the protection and effective management of one of Africa’s ten largest national parks. This significant new partnership will deliver greater investment in all aspects of Kafue’s park management, to realise its exceptional value to biodiversity, socio-economic development and the people of Zambia.

African Parks has laid the foundation for the ongoing development and management of Kafue. During this period US$3.6 million was invested into park infrastructure and operations, including: the construction of a new law enforcement centre; rehabilitation of existing infrastructure at Chunga and Ngoma; grading of 2000 km of roads; aerial support to law enforcement operations with both helicopter and fixed wing; completion of an aerial census for the entire landscape; and the creation of 150 permanent jobs. It also included US$800 000 in law enforcement salaries, which were reimbursed to the Government of Zambia.

Spanning 22,400 km2, Kafue National Park is situated in the world’s largest trans-frontier conservation area, the Kavango Zambezi (KAZA TFCA), which straddles five countries - Angola, Botswana, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe. The park is amongst the world’s most important natural heritage sites and an essential water source for the region. One of the last vast expanses of the iconic Zambezian ecoregion, and home to elephant, large predators, 21 species of antelope and 515 bird species, Kafue holds potential to become one of Africa’s most exceptional tourist destinations.

The Government of Zambia first partnered with African Parks in 2003 in Liuwa Plain National Park and subsequently in 2008 in Bangweulu Wetlands. Kafue National Park is the 20th park to join African Parks’ portfolio.

Zambian Tourist Visas fees are to be reduced by 50% from January 2022.

Presently, travellers to Zambia can get a single-entry visa for US% 50 per person
A double-entry visa costs US$ 80 per person, and a multiple-entry visa is US$ 150 per person.

The Zambian Government has just confirmed that they will all be reduced to 50% of their current rates.