January falls during the rainy season in Zimbabwe, which means that there may be heavy downpours and thunderstorms. This can make travel difficult, especially on dirt roads, so be prepared for delays and possible road closures.
On the other hand, the rainy season is a great time to visit Zimbabwe's national parks and wildlife reserves, as the vegetation is lush and the animals are more active. You may also be able to spot migratory birds that are only present during this time of year.
February is still within the rainy season in Zimbabwe, so many of the considerations for traveling in January still apply. However, as the month progresses, the rainfall generally decreases and the weather becomes drier.
In Zimbabwe, March marks the transition from the rainy season to the dry season. The weather during this month is generally hot and humid, with occasional rain showers.
Daytime temperatures in March typically range from 25 to 30°C (77 to 86°F), while nighttime temperatures range from 15 to 20°C (59 to 68°F). However, temperatures can vary depending on the region of the country you are visiting.
The beginning of April sees Zimbabwe come out of the rainy season but weather can still be unpredictable at this time of year. You can expect a range of warm, sunny spells, some rain showers likely to fall in the mid-late afternoon, and evenings becoming cooler towards the end of the month.
Travel to Zimbabwe in April to see the elephant calves huddling under mum, baby antelopes teetering through the bush and black rhino young learning browsing techniques from their elders.
At this time of year, Victoria Falls is in full flow after the long rainy season. For photography, it is best to get above the falls so your photographs aren't with spray. The water levels in the Zambezi are high and the current and spray of the falls will be powerfully surging over the edge. April is not the optimum season for wildlife watching in Zimbabwe so the parks are likely to be quite quiet and the rate will be lower than during peak season from July to October.
Throughout May the weather is likely to dry out making it a more popular time to travel than April, but still not as busy as the later months in the season. The daytime temperatures will still remain warm, around 27 degrees throughout the morning and afternoon but evening and night-time temperatures will drop. Therefore it is important to remember to bring layers for early morning game drives and for journeys back after sundowners.
After the long rainy season, landscapes will be verdant giving plenty of sustenance for rhinos and elephants roaming through the bush. It may make smaller wildlife more difficult to see but your guides are experts at seeking out wildlife in these conditions so will assist you in having the very best encounters possible.
May is also a great time to witness Victoria Falls as water levels will still be high. However, thanks to there being slightly less spray than April, photographing this stunning spectacle will be somewhat easier. You’ll be able to capture the power of the Falls by walking round the national park but we also recommend booking a helicopter flight to see Victoria Falls from a different perspective.
As Zimbabwe lies in the southern hemisphere, June falls at the beginning of the winter season and although this means cooler temperatures it is actually the dry season. Weather will start to get cooler from June onwards so remember to bring plenty of warm layers for mornings and evenings. There will be little to no rainfall though, which means you can enjoy long dry days with clear blue skies.
June is generally a great time for wildlife sightings so head to Matobo Hills for rhino tracking, Hwange for elephants and Matusadona for crocs bathing on river banks. If you wish to add some adventurous activities to your safari, June is a good time to enjoy kayaking in Mana Pools; not only will the temperatures be pleasant but you may be joined by wildlife along the banks too!
The water levels will still be good after the rainy season but the spray won’t be too strong so as to impede photography. This is a great time to travel before parks get particularly busy (July to October) and also to combine wildlife viewing with Victoria Falls.
As the season dries out further throughout the month head to Hwange National Park for fantastic sightings of elephant herds congregating round the waterholes. When the sun sets the clear skies will produce cold nights so layers will be necessary for sitting round the campfire and enjoying early morning game drives.
July is a great time to travel to Zimbabwe as it falls in the peak dry season so you are pretty much guaranteed dry days to enjoy your safari. Although the landscapes will be less lush and perhaps less photogenic, it does mean that wildlife will be easier to spot and you will be able to keep track of prowling big cats and herds of elephants as they move through the bush.
The peak wildlife season brings with it higher prices, lower availability and somewhat busier parks so make sure you book your safari well in advance to secure the lodges you want. Victoria Falls is busy year-round and this is no different in July; try to head down to the Falls early in the morning to wander round the park before the crowds arrive.
August lies in the heart of the dry season with little to no rain throughout the whole month, and temperatures starting to warm up again. Daytime temperatures average around 25-28 degrees, making it ideal for relaxing around the pool between game drives. Days begin to lengthen in August and there are fewer mosquitoes too.
August is a perfect time to travel to Zimbabwe as the majority of wildlife will gather round the lingering waterholes meaning you’ll get a range of sightings in just one spot.
The flow at Victoria Falls won’t be at its most powerful in August so you’ll be able to get great panoramic shots of the whole area. Peak season prices may be higher and availability is lower.
September in Zimbabwe means warm temperatures and long dry days. Although there may be a little rain this will be barely noticeable and definitely won’t interrupt your safari activities. Temperatures will vary depending on where you travel in Zimbabwe but parks at lower altitudes such as Gonarezou may be particularly hot with daytime temperatures hitting 30+ degrees. The benefit of these parks is that morning and night-time temperatures will also be warmer so even early game drives will be comfortable.
As Zimbabwe will have been dry for months by now, wildlife will be congregating along river banks or around the last remaining waterholes so sightings will be good. September is perhaps the best month of the year for elephant herds at Hwange National Park.
The water levels of Victoria Falls will be noticeably lower than earlier in the season and depending how dry it has been it may be down just a small flow. However, without the spray of the falls, you will clearly be able to see the chasms in the earth leading towards the main mouth of the falls. This is a great time to enjoy some of the fun adrenaline activities available around the falls.
October is the final month of the peak dry period and can be seen as a shoulder season as the short rains are difficult to predict. It is likely the beginning of the month will remain dry and therefore Zimbabwe's wildlife will still be congregating around waterholes. When the rains do arrive they will bring some much needed relief from the warm temperatures of October.
October sees low water levels so although Victoria Falls may just be a small flow, you will be able to climb into the Devil’s Pool on the edge of Victoria Falls and look over the side! A great activity for those looking for something a little more adventurous.
The whole month will be much warmer than the dry season months with parks at lower altitudes being particularly hot and humid so some respite may be greatly appreciated. As the peak season is coming to an end, prices will start to decrease and lodge availability will begin to free up.
November’s weather can be somewhat unpredictable with some warm weather but also a notable amount of rain. Rains generally fall in the afternoon but it is wise to take a waterproof out with you on all game drives and nature walks just in case. During the day the mercury is likely to tip 30+ degrees so it will be rather hot, especially in parks such as Gonarezou which lie at a low altitude.
With the November rains come thicker vegetation and migratory birds. Although dense vegetation means wildlife may be harder to spot, the range of animals around will be great as they seek out new sources of nutrition. The number of birds will also greatly increase with the arrival of some interesting migratory species.
Although Victoria Falls is a year-round destination, the water levels may be down to just a trickle by this time of year. The low water levels mean activities such as swimming in the Devil’s Pools is possible, and the return of the impressive flow will depend on when the heavier rains arrive.
Temperatures will still be warm throughout December with high humidity so the rainfall is likely to bring some afternoon respite. One of the benefits of travelling in the low season is that the parks and lodges are much quieter giving you more intimate wildlife experiences.
Travelling in December during the rainy season sees lush, verdant landscapes and newborn animals. The majority of ungulates give birth in the wet season as there is plenty of vegetation to provide for their young. Migratory birds with spectacular breeding plumage have also arrived by December so you may be able to witness some interesting mating rituals and bright feathers fluttering through the trees.
The rainy season continues into December with some torrential downpours and occasional days of continuous rain which may affect your time on safari. Of course, you are more than welcome to go out on game drives during the rain, just remember to pack your waterproofs! Some roads may become impassable at this time depending on the severity of the rain, for example the 4x4 tracks in Mana Pools may be difficult to navigate after heavy rainfall.
