When to visit Zambia

The rainy season in Zambia lasts from November to April, with January falling squarely in the middle of it. Typical daytime temperatures fall between 70°F and 88°F (21°C to 31°C). It rains frequently during this season, which is warm and humid.

April is the first month of the year that Zambia becomes truly accessible after the long rainy season and so most parks will still be relatively quiet. Thanks to the rains, the landscape is lush and green but this does mean that wildlife can be more difficult to spot in the thick vegetation.

Travel to Zambia in April if you wish to see newborn antelope. The majority of antelope young are born in the rainy season to give the offspring the best chance of survival, so by April there will be plenty of young wildlife roaming around and learning to survive in the wild.

One of the most impressive highlights in Zambia is the mighty Victoria Falls and after the rainy season of January to March, the water levels of the Falls will be extremely high and the flow will be thundering over the edge. Even just watching the falls you will be sprayed with water! At this time of year it is best to catch a helicopter flight over Victoria Falls for panoramic views away from the spray.

As with April, May is a fairly quiet time of year to travel to Zambia and the weather is pleasant; days are likely to be warm and dry. It lies between the long rainy season and the optimum dry season so most parks and lodges will remain at shoulder season prices and availability should be good.

Early mornings and late nights may still be relatively cool so bring plenty of layers for your sunrise game drives. By the time you head back to the lodge for breakfast temperatures will be getting towards 20C so you will be able to sit out for some al fresco dining.

Livingstone, which lies on the Zambian side of Victoria Falls, is usually busy year-round. The Falls change dramatically throughout the year but they are always an impressive sight. In May, water levels will still be quite high so you’ll see the powerful flow of water surging off the edge. Travelling in the drier seasons means that there are less mosquitoes around so you won’t need to worry about covering up.

Temperatures drop slightly from April and May to low 20s during the days and it will be somewhat cooler in mornings and evenings, especially when sitting around camp, so please remember to bring layers with you for early walks and games drives.

June is the last month of the shoulder season before the peak dry season commences. The weather is likely to be warm and dry and cloudless; this makes it a lovely time to travel to Zambia and make the most of the off season prices. The bush will be starting to dry out so wildlife will slowly become easier to spot and landscapes will start opening up.

As the rains will be gone by June this signifies the beginning of the walking safari season. Zambia is probably the best known country in Africa for walking safaris usually done from remote bush camps to give you a unique safari experience, and can be combined into most Zambia safaris in June if you so wish. Camping out in the bush brings you into close proximity to wildlife and you may even hear hippos grunting or lions roaring in the night!

July officially sees the start of the dry season so tourist numbers increase and prices rise accordingly but Zambia’s parks rarely feel overcrowded. Temperatures will actually remain pleasant for the whole month so it is a great time to enjoy walking safaris in South Luangwa National Park.

The drier the season, the more grazed down the grasses and bush will become, so the easier it becomes to spot wildlife. As temperatures won’t be too hot yet in June, big cats are likely to be active throughout the day; when it is too hot they retreat to the bushes for cover from the heat and sunshine.

The only area that is likely to be busy throughout July is Livingstone. The water levels of Victoria Falls will be starting to dry out which means the flow won’t be as impressive but it does allow for better panoramic views and photographs as the spray from the falls doesn’t block your view. More activities around the falls will be available and accessible too so you will have plenty of options for adrenaline-fueled adventures.

Depending on which parks you choose to visit, the climate will differ slightly. Lower altitude parks will be hotter but not unbearable at this time of year whilst temperatures will be cooler at higher altitudes. Mornings and evening temperatures will still be fairly cool so it is still worth bringing plenty of layers on safari.

August is the perfect time of year to travel to Zambia, not only are temperatures pleasant but wildlife locations start to become more predictable. As the bush becomes less dense, animals will be easier to see and with the season drying out the waterholes in the parks, wildlife will start to congregate around the larger water supplies.

August is a great time for big cat predator action so look out for leopards and lions on the prowl. There will be little, if any, rainfall throughout the month of August which makes it a fantastic time to travel for walking safaris staying in tented camps in South Luangwa National Park

Temperature hots up at this time of year and big cats are likely to be seen lounging in the shade during late morning game drives. Walking safaris may be more difficult in 29 degree heat but you are almost guaranteed long dry days so won’t have to contend with rain. These warm temperatures are also ideal for afternoon relaxation by your lodge swimming pool or sitting out on your terrace overlooking the plains.

September is towards the end of the dry season and is the peak time for wildlife viewing as they congregate round the larger remaining waterholes. Wildlife sightings are at optimum levels and you should be able to capture interesting images of a variety of wildlife.

Even when driving or walking through the bush, wildlife sightings should be good as the vegetation will be less dense than earlier in the season. The end of the dry season is also a great time to see large pods of hippos wallowing in the lingering pools in the river beds of South Luangwa National Park.

October is the last month of the dry season and has long dry days and hot temperatures. The mercury usually tips 30-35 degrees most days, especially in low altitude parks such as South Luangwa National Park so you’ll need to remember to bring a sun hat and plenty of sun cream for your walking safaris. There is an average of just 10mm of rain in October which is likely to come towards the end of the month, so clear skies will perpetuate the majority of your safari days.

If you can handle the heat and humidity, October is a great time of year to travel to Zambia as the majority of animals will be congregating round waterholes or along the edge of river beds making them much easier to spot.

The only downside to travelling at the end of the dry season is that the flow of the Zambezi that normally powers over Victoria Falls in the wet season is drying out to just a trickle by October. It may even be the case that there is no water flowing over the edge on the Zambian side, however, if you are travelling at this time of year it can be a good time to do white water rafting below the falls while water levels aren’t too high. If the Zambian side has dried up, it is possible to head over to Zimbabwe to see the falls from there instead.

November is a shoulder month in Zambia’s safari season and weather can be unpredictable. The earlier in the month you travel, days may remain hot and dry but no one can pinpoint exactly when the rains will arrive. The further north you visit, the earlier the rains arrive, so head to the southern parks of the Lower Zambezi and South Luangwa National Park for the best chances of dry weather and wildlife sightings. Even when the rainy season does commence it is likely to be sporadic showers which shouldn’t spoil complete days and you will be able to take game drives around the weather to make the most of the dry spells.

With the arrival of the rains comes a spectacular birding season so this can be a great time to travel if you’re a bit of a twitcher. With a mix of endemic birdlife and migratory species there will be plenty of interesting birds to catch your eye.

Is it not possible to do walking safaris in November so if you want to stay in nomadic bush camps we recommend travelling earlier in the season. Victoria Falls will be starting to get their water levels back up thanks to the rains so it will be a good time to travel. It may even be possible to take a dip in the Devil’s Pool before the falls become too powerful. As November is a shoulder season, prices will lower accordingly and parks will be quieter than the busier dry season months. This makes for intimate wildlife sightings and tranquil camps and lodges.

Temperatures remain high throughout the rainy season and it may be quite humid so this is something to consider if you’re thinking of travelling at this time of year. Rainfall often comes in torrential afternoon downpours but after the rain the weather is likely to be more temperate which makes evening game drives and sundowners much more pleasant.

December has been dubbed the “emerald season” thanks to its lush green landscapes that have flourished during the November rains. The dense vegetation does make wildlife more difficult to see but the stunning backdrops more than make up for it. There will be plenty of migratory birds fluttering through the verdant bush and, thanks to the shelter and nutrition the vegetation provides, ungulates give birth at this time to give their young the best chance of survival.

As it is low season in Zambia, prices will decrease and the majority of lodges will have plenty of availability. Some lodges may close due to flooding if the rains are particularly heavy and where black cotton soil makes game drives impossible. South Luangwa – in particular Mfuwe Lodge – is usually accessible year-round so is a great option.