Kapamba & Bilimungwe (Bushcamps Company): green season guests . . ...can now walk between these two bushcamps. Kafue National Park Shumba Camp (Wilderness Safaris: www.wilderness-safaris.com): the only camp on Busanga Plains open until January; helicopter transfers, boat trips, outstanding birding. Kaingu Lodge (www.kaingu-lodge.com): drives, walks (depending on conditions) and boat trips. Mukambi Safari Lodge (www.mukambi.com): drives, walks and boat trips. Hippo Lodge (www.hippolodge.com): open, though airstrip is closed. Victoria Falls / Livingstone Most lodges, hotels and camps are open all year round. Some river activities, including rafting, may be restricted by water levels. The Falls are very low from November–December, allowing good visibility and visits to islands on the lip (Livingstone Island). Peak flow is from March, when the thunderous noise and spray are impressive, and aerial viewings spectacular. Lower Zambezi National Park Most camps and lodges in the park are closed November-April, though the park is accessible by boat. Kiambi Lodge (www.kiambi.co.za), in the adjacent Game Management Area, is open all year; access by road and boat transfer. Kasanka / Bangweulu Wasa Lodge, Luwombwa Camp (Kasanka) and Shoebill Island Camp (Bangweulu) are open all year (www.kasanka.com). The green season is arguably the best time to visit: reliable November 2007 Travel Zambia 29 views of shoebills from January; Kasanka bat roost in November/December. Other options Mutinondo (www.mutinondo zambia.com) during the rains offers prolific bird and plant life, plus giant mushrooms. Access is by road; activities include walking, riding and swimming. Shiwa N’gandu (www.shiwangandu.com) is open all year, with walks, riding, game drives and boat trips on the lake. Elephants enjoy the hospitality of Mfuwe Lodge at the start of the rains, when they can’t resist the call of the lodge’s wild mango THE BUSHCAMP COMPANY The woodland kingfisher is among the most colourful and vocal of migrant birds to arrive with the rains. ALEX PAUL

chongweriver@zamtel.zm - www.chongwe.comZambia, the real Africa ... Chongwe, the real ZambiaLOWER ZAMBEZI NATIONAL PARK ~ ZAMBIA