The “Emerald Season” is the perfect time to escape the winter chill and visit Zambia with Wilderness Safaris and The Bushcamp Company – whether heading to Busanga Plains, visiting one of the Seven Wonders of the World, Victoria Falls, or exploring South Luangwa National Park – the months of November to May promise vivid landscapes and rare wildlife sightings.

These are the summer months in Zambia where the bush is emerald, green, incredibly lush, and picturesque with blue skies and a pleasant climate. The rivers are at their peak, often bursting at the banks and the game flock to the water’s edge. The air is clear and natural light improves making it excellent photography condition and for perfect walking safaris as the vibrant foliage contrasts with the wildlife.

Zambia is known for its unspoiled and remote parks, and with a wide diversity of habitats, high-density of wildlife, and new flights via Qatar to Lusaka (Zambia’s capital city), now is the time to plan for a once-in-a-lifetime safari to Zambia during the Emerald Season.

Wilderness Safaris and The Bushcamp Company have camps in Zambia’s most pristine regions that are ideal for experiencing the beauty of the Emerald Season. Some camp options include:

For the family – Shumba Camp, Kafue: (pictured above) Named after the prides of lion in the area, Shumba is located in the middle of the vast Busanga Plains and is the perfect choice for families  looking for guaranteed lion sightings. With six tented suites raised on wooden platforms, allowing for endless views over the plains for optimal game viewing whether from bed, in the lounge, or while enjoying a sundowner. With the plains flooded during the Emerald Season, families can enjoy boat rides through the channels alongside elephants, hippos, and lions.

For the adventurer – Busanga Bush Camp, Kafue: Busanga Bush Camp lies on an island in the heart of the Busanga Plains, a vast area of grassy seasonal floodplains that bring incredible sunrises and sunsets. Remotely located, guests are alone with the wildlife and plains are filled with wildlife and birds every morning and night. Hidden beneath sycamore fig trees, this intimate camp has four tented suites, each with a veranda to take in the sweeping views. Guests can experience game drives, boat rides, and hot air balloons for some of the best lion viewing in Africa.

For the bucket list – Toka Leya, Victoria Falls, Livingstone: A visit to the majestic Victoria Falls is on every bucketlist and there’s no better place to stay than at Toka Leya, overlooking islands in the Zambezi River. Toka Leya is ideal for the beginning or end of your Zambian safari as the camp is located within the leafy forest and very relaxing. Morning explorations of the river, the surrounding Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park or nearby Victoria Falls can be followed by afternoon with yoga, fitness, spa treatments, or lounging by the infinity pool. The camp offers twelve spacious, en-suite safari-style tents (including three family tents) with expansive decks and views of surrounding wildlife (such as rhinos and giraffes).