The Green Season in Southern Africa continues in to February, which sees summer rainfall and, in turn, vibrant and lush vegetation. The air is crisp and clear after rainfall making it one of the best times for photography.
Our tented safari camps in Hwange National Park have been receiving good rains for the past few weeks. Daily afternoon thunderstorms cool things down after a hot summers day. The ethereal skies that accompany these thinderstorms are perfect for dramatic photography opportunities, making Hwange one of the best places to visit in Zimbabwe. Our luxury safari lodges in Botswana; Linyanti Bush Camp, Linyanti Ebony and Khwai Tented Camp have been experiencing rains since mid-December with a high of 82.7ml recorded in January. These rains have brought about lush vegetation and good grazing for the herbivores and their young, which in turn, attracts a high volume of predators. Thorntree River Lodge in the Mosi-Oa-Tunya National Park, Zambia is experiencing good rains and the Victoria Falls are producing a wonderful spray. Rain in these areas will feed the wildlife and make sure young cubs, calves and pups grow up to be healthy adults.
Kanga Pan in the Dry Season vs. the Green Season
While there has been planty of rain in Zimbabwe and Botswana, and with most of our guests combining their African safari with a visit to Cape Town and you may have heard that the Mother City is suffering from one of the worst droughts in 100 years. If you are extending your holiday to Cape Town before or after your safari, do not be discouraged but please do be mindful of your usage and use water responsibly. Government and private stakeholders are implementing plans for Cape Town to remain a sustainable destination. Capetonians and visitors to the beautiful region are being encouraged to push back Day Zero (when the taps run dry) by doing everything in their power to preserve what they currently have.
Fear not, baths at Somalisa are guilt-free as we recycle and filter the water which is pumped in to the pan in front of camp for wildlife.
Here are some things to bear in mind if you are travelling to Cape Town
– Travellers will have access to safe drinking water and enough water for a 2-minute shower to maintain daily hygiene
– Tap water is drinkable, but as dam levels drop, please be socially responsible and buy bottled drinking water to further municipal water stores and help us to keep Day Zero at bay. Please only drink bottled water from a reputable source
– Please re-use towels and be mindful of laundry usage
– Try to flush as little as possible. “If it’s yellow, let it mellow” has become the city slogan
– Some hotels may have closed their pools but you can still visit the tidal pools the many tidal pools along Cape Town’s prestigious beaches.
– Report leaky taps to hotel staff/ AirB&B hosts
With everyone in the city coming together to help save this precious resource, day zero has been pushed back from the 12th of April to the 4th of June 2018.
Don’t let the water shortage discourage you. Cape Town is still a beautiful city with many wonderful activities and spectacular experiences. We are hoping for good winter rains come June.