Best Time to Visit Zambia

Knowing the best time to visit Zambia is key. Generally speaking, June – September is the dry season, meaning little to no rain, warmer day temperatures and great game viewing. No matter when you travel, temperatures are sure to drop at night and early mornings so be sure to bring a warm fleece.

Best time to visit

As you creep into October, temperatures can be extremely high. This can provide some amazing game viewing but for many people, it is unbearably hot. Be sure to let us know your comfort level with heat if you are thinking of travelling during this time. From around November – May, many of the camps will be closed due to the heavy rains and black cotton soil, making it impossible to drive. However, there are some camps that are still open during this “Emerald Season,” and it can be an incredible time to see the country if you are interested in birding or looking for a fantastic cost savings. Victoria Falls is a bit different than the rest of the country as it is open year-round. However, time of year does affect the flow of water. There is no bad time to see Victoria Falls: with lower water levels you have more chances to do water activities and with higher water levels, you will have a more dramatic view of the Falls. Due to natural construct of the river, the Zambian side of the falls always has less water than the Zimbabwean side, but you can easily have access to viewing from both sides.

Monthly Climate Guide for Zambia

, Zambia

Average temperatures (Celsius) and rainfall (mm)

Jan
30°C 21mm
Feb
31°C 23mm
Mar
30°C 12mm
Apr
30°C 6mm
May
29°C 0mm
Jun
28°C 0mm
Jul
29°C 0mm
Aug
32°C 0mm
Sep
36°C 0mm
Oct
37°C 1mm
Nov
35°C 7mm
Dec
32°C 16mm
Jan
30°C 21mm
Feb
31°C 23mm
Mar
30°C 12mm
Apr
30°C 6mm
May
29°C 0mm
Jun
28°C 0mm
Jul
29°C 0mm
Aug
32°C 0mm
Sep
36°C 0mm
Oct
37°C 1mm
Nov
35°C 7mm
Dec
32°C 16mm
Jan
30°C 23mm
Feb
30°C 26mm
Mar
29°C 15mm
Apr
28°C 4mm
May
28°C 1mm
Jun
26°C 1mm
Jul
27°C 1mm
Aug
29°C 0mm
Sep
31°C 0mm
Oct
33°C 2mm
Nov
33°C 4mm
Dec
30°C 13mm
Jan
30°C 21mm
Feb
31°C 23mm
Mar
30°C 12mm
Apr
30°C 6mm
May
29°C 0mm
Jun
28°C 0mm
Jul
29°C 0mm
Aug
32°C 0mm
Sep
36°C 0mm
Oct
37°C 1mm
Nov
35°C 7mm
Dec
32°C 16mm
Jan
34°C 16mm
Feb
34°C 20mm
Mar
34°C 11mm
Apr
33°C 6mm
May
31°C 0mm
Jun
30°C 0mm
Jul
30°C 0mm
Aug
34°C 0mm
Sep
38°C 0mm
Oct
39°C 1mm
Nov
39°C 6mm
Dec
36°C 11mm
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