Green Season Specials: Pocket Friendly Southern Africa
The Green Season means special offers and discounts across southern Africa. But don’t be overwhelmed by all the options; we have the expertise to help you find the best deal to suit you.
Green Season Is The Best Time
The Green Season is just that – green. But it could also be called the quiet season, because there are fewer people on safari. And this means a more intimate experience for you.
It also means there are plenty of discounts and specials. And it’s a transformational way to escape a northern hemisphere winter.
Green Season in Southern Africa runs from November to March, and the heaviest rains come in January to March. They transform the parched landscape from dry and dusty to lush and vibrant. It’s warmer, and afternoons are punctuated with short, intense rain showers.
Luxury For Less – 2 guests stay for the price of 1 on a booking of 7 nights or more (6 Jan - 31 Mar and 25 Nov-5 Dec) Honeymoon Special – stay 4+ nights and 1 partner saves 50% off accommodation, plus activities, spa treatments, and champagne (6 Jan-15 Dec) Stay 6, Pay 5 - 'Free Night On Us' – stay for 6 nights and only pay for 5 (6 Jan-15 Dec) Family Fun – children sharing with parents stay free (6 Jan-31 Mar and 25 Nov-15 Dec)
Opening special – book before 28 February, 5+ nights & receive 50% off return helicopter flights (until 15 Dec) Opening Honeymoon Heaven – book before 28 February, 5+ nights & one partner will receive 50% discount off rates, activities, spa treatments, champagne & return helicopter flights (until 15 Dec) Free Night On Us Stay 6, Pay 5 (1 May-15 Dec) Luxury For 2 stay for the price of 1, on a booking of 7 nights or more (25 Nov-15 Dec)
Snorkelling with Azura Benguerra Island, Mozambique.
"Linger Longer" – stay for 4 nights in one camp, and only pay for 3 (all year) Honeymoon Balloon Safari – stay 3+ nights and get a free hot air balloon flight over the Namib Desert with Namib Sky Safaris (all year, subject to weather)
Combo Offer: 8% discount: Combine 2 Simbavati lodges for a total of 4 nights 10% discount: Combine 2 Simbavati lodges for a total of 5 nights 12% discount: Combine 2-3 Simbavati lodges for a total of 6-7 nights 15% discount: Combine any Simbavati lodges for a total of more than 8 nights Stay 4, Pay 3 – stay 4 nights at any one Simbavati lodge and pay for only 3 (6 Jan-31 Mar and 1 Nov-20 Dec) Stay 7, Pay 5 – stay 7 nights at one lodge and pay for only 5 Honeymoon – stay 3 or more nights and one partner pays only 60% Add Trails Camp Walking Safari – stay 2 nights at any Simbavati lodge and receive a 30% discount at Simbavati Trails Camp
Last Minute Special – book and travel within 75 days and save 25% on per person rate Stay 6, Pay 5 – stay 6 nights and only pay for 5 Long Stay Stay – 7 consecutive nights or more and save 10% on accommodation Exclusive Use – 10% saving on all bookings taking a camp at full capacity (all year)
Guides accompany guests on a walk in South Luangwa National Park, Zambia.
Discounted packages (11 Jan-31 March and 1 Nov-20 Dec)
3 Night Package – Elephant Camp $1,403 3 Night Package – Wallow Lodge $876 4 Night Signature Special Package $1,680 6 Night Signature Special Package $2,520 8 Night Signature Special Package $3,360
Stay 6 Pay 5 pps and single (Jan-April and Nov-Dec)
Sable Valley / Amalinda $1,867 Khulu Bush Camp / Amalinda $2,218 Ivory Lodge / Amalinda $1,744 Amalinda / Sable Valley $1,793 Amalinda / Khulu Bush Camp $2,027 Amalinda / Ivory Lodge $1,711 Khulu’s Retreat/Homestead $10,484 Homestead/Khulu’s Retreat $10,036
Lush foliage at The Bushcamp Company’s Kapamba Camp in South Luangwa NP, Zambia
“Our family of five took a safari over Christmas and it was the best trip we’ve ever had with our kids. Every day was a new experience, even if we saw the same animals. Many memories were made.”
– Jenica O, US
An extraordinary twilight view at &Beyond Phinda Private Game Reserve, South Africa.
Stunning Scenery and Dramatic Landscapes
· The wilderness is flourishing with tall grasses, blooming flowers, and dramatic skies.
· Afternoon thunderstorms make for striking photo opportunities.
· Rivers, waterholes, and seasonal pans are full.
· Victoria Falls is in full flow in March and April.
Exceptional Wildlife Viewing
· Baby boom: This is the calving season for many animals such as wildebeest, zebras, and antelopes, as well as predators.
· Predators: Lions, cheetahs, leopards and wild dogs are often seen hunting, as newborns are easy prey.
· It’s true that animals are more dispersed because there is water everywhere, and the heavy foliage can make it more challenging to spot them, but they are abundant and sightings can be more rewarding that at other times.
· In Botswana, it’s the zebra migration.
· In Zambia, it’s the Kasanka bat migration.
“Mel du Toit was wonderful in finding me an exceptional location for my first safari! It was magical from beginning to end! Lots of memories that make me want to go back for more! Thank you.”
– Bev J, US
Rhino spotting in Kwandwe Private Game Reserve, South Africa.
Fewer Tourists and Intimate Experiences
· The Green Season is “off peak” and safari destinations are less crowded.
· Game drives are more intimate, and you generally get sightings all to yourself.
· Guides often have more time to share stories and insights.
· You can have more intimate and authentic cultural experiences in local communities.
· Not to be sniffed at, less dust improves the air quality.
Lower Costs and Great Value
· It’s your time to have an exclusive vacay.
· Lodges and safari operators have special offers and discounts in the Green Season.
· It’s an excellent opportunity to experience luxury at a more affordable price.
· Photos of animals against the greenery can be more impressive than in the dusty dry season.
“Leigh-Ann Croeser was amazing. She worked incredibly hard to provide us with our complex safari in Botswana and our travel and accommodation in South Africa. I am so happy with the final outcome and I am very thankful to Leigh-Ann and the other Safari.com team members who worked so hard to make our dream safari a reality.”
– Claire, Australia
Birdwatching at Camp Xakanaxa with Desert & Delta, Botswana.
Spectacular Bird Life
Twitcher alert. Migratory birds from Europe and Asia fly in for the Green Season.
It’s time to see the colourful European roller (Coracias garrulus). It likes open woodlands and savannahs, and can be seen in places such as Kruger National Park.
The Amur falcon (Falco amurensis) comes in from northern China and southeastern Siberia on one of the longest migration routes, covering about 14,000km each way.
In South Africa’s Timbavati Region, look for woodland kingfishers, and bee eaters. The Cape Floristic Kingdom features orange-breasted sunbirds and migratory seabirds along the coast. On the Chobe River in Botswana watch for African skimmers (Rynchops flavirostris).
“Ever since I started communicating with Leigh-Ann Croeser, she has been a very friendly, professional, knowledgeable, awesome luxury safari consultant who came through for me in every step of this process. She offered great advice and did a great job in customising our itinerary and put my mind at ease.”
– Thembela Coleman, US
A cheetah keeps watch over the plains at Hwange NP, Zimbabwe.
Zambia’s wetlands are a treasure trove, especially Bangweulu Swamps and Kafue National Park.
And many birds are wearing their colourful breeding plumage, and are very active with their mating dances and calls. Male weavers have bright yellow and black plumage. And male southern red bishops turn fiery red and jet black.
“Safari.com helped us organise a trip to Lush in Black Rhino Reserve, adjacent to the well-known Pilanesberg National Park…Lush was the type of luxury resort I expected to find in Kruger. Thanks Safari.com for walking us through this.”
– Valerie, US
A mokoro water bar with Desert & Delta, Botswana.
Cultural Festivals
In Zambia, the Lozi hold the Kuomboka ceremony at the end of the rainy season when the rising Zambezi River floods the Barotse Floodplain.
The Litunga, the king, travels in a massive, intricately decorated barge called the Nalikwanda, paddled by dozens of oarsmen dressed in traditional attire. It’s accompanied by drumming, singing, and dancing.
Other traditional ceremonies in the Green Season include Umkhosi Wokweshwama (first fruits ceremony) of the Zulus in KwaZulu-Natal. Eswatini has its first fruits festival called Ncwala.
There are also rain-calling ceremonies by the Tonga in southern Zambia and by the Venda People in Limpopo, South Africa, among others.
“I had the pleasure of booking a safari near Cape Town last minute. Within a week Monique Plaatjies helped me plan my dream vacation. I was able to have an excellent time, thanks to Monique. 100% recommended.”
– Jose Diaz, US
Elephant watching at Phinda Homstead with &Beyond, South Africa.
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Take the first step by emailing [email protected], clicking on the WhatsApp button at the top of the page to start chatting now, or calling us toll-free at 1-888-SAFARIS (available in the U.S. and Canada).
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