When is the Best Time to Visit Zimbabwe?

With mild temperatures, virtually no rain and a low malaria risk, the dry May to October winter season is generally seen as the best time to visit Zimbabwe for game viewing, although September and October are extremely hot and dry months. The best time to travel to Victoria Falls is at the end of the summer rainy season, when the Falls are in full flood, between April and May for the most dramatic viewings.

Destination	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Gonarezhou National Park & Malilangwe Wildlife Reserve	33°C 117mm	32°C 108mm	31°C 54mm	30°C 30mm	28°C 8mm	26°C 10mm	26°C 3mm	28°C 4mm	31°C 11mm	32°C 24mm	33°C 74mm	33°C 110mm
Hwange National Park	29°C 143mm	29°C 116mm	29°C 57mm	29°C 27mm	27°C 4mm	25°C 1mm	25°C 0mm	28°C 0mm	32°C 3mm	34°C 18mm	32°C 64mm	30°C 123mm
Lake Kariba	31°C 185mm	31°C 174mm	32°C 94mm	32°C 27mm	31°C 6mm	29°C 1mm	29°C 0mm	31°C 1mm	35°C 0mm	37°C 14mm	34°C 64mm	32°C 179mm
Matobo National Park	28°C 127mm	27°C 113mm	27°C 61mm	25°C 32mm	23°C 9mm	21°C 3mm	21°C 1mm	24°C 2mm	27°C 6mm	29°C 37mm	28°C 91mm	27°C 124mm
Victoria Falls	31°C 170mm	31°C 139mm	31°C 79mm	31°C 21mm	29°C 4mm	26°C 1mm	26°C 0mm	29°C 0mm	33°C 2mm	35°C 19mm	34°C 68mm	32°C 167mm
Dry Season
Wet Season
Victoria Falls in Full Flood
Best Time for Safari

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Month by Month Climate Guide for Travelling to Zimbabwe:

Traveling to Zimbabwe from January to March

January is a rainy month and wildlife is harder to spot at this time of year in the dense bush, but you can take advantage of lower rates and fewer crowds – keeping in mind that this is low-water season for Victoria Falls.

February is rainy and wet. The water level of the Zambezi River is high, which means that Victoria Falls is in full flow but due to the amount of mist and spray, it may obscure views of this majestic landmark. If you do decide to visit then, consider a helicopter ride or a microlight flight to truly appreciate the sheer size of the Falls.

If you’re planning to visit Zimbabwe in March you can expect warm, humid weather with frequent afternoon thundershowers – these are usually short bursts that last a few hours. Water levels are perfect for viewings of Victoria Falls, especially seeing the gorges that surround this phenomenal attraction as well as the famous spray rainbows.

Visiting Zimbabwe in April & May

When planning to visit Zimbabwe in April, there are fewer rain showers overall and a general cooling of temperatures, leaving behind lush greenery across the game parks. It can be unpredictable weather, so it’s best to pack lots of layers and waterproof clothing.

If you want to see Victoria Falls when the water is still high and have a good safari, then you should aim for May. May is considered peak season in Zimbabwe and rates will be higher, so it’s best to book up to a year in advance for this month.

Traveling to Zimbabwe in June & July

June is considered the best time for a safari because game viewing is spectacular in the dry season – the natural waterholes dry up and huge herds congregate at lakes, rivers and man-made waterholes. June is where to go in Zimbabwe for rhino tracking at Matobo Hills, and for seeing giant herds of elephant in Hwange National Park.

The weather turns colder at night in July as winter has set in. Pack extra layers of clothing because the temperature can drop dramatically during the night and be nippy on game drives in the early morning. Wildlife viewing is excellent, and this month is pegged as the perfect time to go on a canoe safari.

Visiting Zimbabwe in August & September

The days are bright and clear in August with barely any clouds in the sky, an ideal Zimbabwe climate for wildlife sightings. The camps in the game reserves are usually full during this time, as August is the heart of the dry season and one of best months for a Zimbabwe safari. This is also regarded as the best time to go white-water rafting at Victoria Falls. It’s the start of low-water season and the volume and speed of the water are reduced, and rapids are more exposed.

The annual game count in Hwange National Park is a big event on Zimbabwe’s calendar in September. Hwange is the largest game park in the country and the park is home to a rich variety of vegetation and wildlife species. This game count takes place once a year and gives those visiting Zimbabwe the unique opportunity to spend time with the local Hwange rangers as they stake out watering holes to count the number of animals passing through.

Visiting Zimbabwe from October to December

In October the days begin to heat up, making it the hottest month of the year. The dry season is ending, but wildlife sightings are still good for anyone visiting Zimbabwe in October. This is the best time to view elephants on a game drive as the herds spend most of their time gathering at watering holes.

The Zimbabwe climate is unpredictable in November. It’s spring and if the rains arrive late, the dryness and intense heat of October could carry on into this month, if the rains arrive ‘on time’, it can be very wet. The country is quiet during this period, but this is the best time to visit Zimbabwe for birdwatching, as thousands of migratory birds arrive with the rain. There are expert guides on hand at many safari lodges in Zimbabwe to introduce visitors to all the migrant and resident bird species, some claiming that you will see over 50 species before breakfast!

December enjoys plenty of summer rain, lush landscapes, and is a great time for birdwatching. We don’t recommend Victoria Falls at this time of year because it is reduced to a trickle. One of the major benefits of visiting Zimbabwe over this period is that most of the lodges and game parks are quieter, meaning you can enjoy a more intimate, less crowded safari.