Best time to visit Victoria Falls

Climate

February is another rainy and hot month in Victoria Falls. Though it will rain most days, usually, the thundershowers clear up fairly quickly, leaving blue skies and sunshine.

Highlights of the Month

February is a great month to see Victoria Falls if you want to experience the full dramatic power of the Zambezi River gushing down the gorge. However, the mist and spray can make getting panoramic views difficult.

February is an excellent month for birdwatching, though it’s not ideal for wildlife viewing, and there’s a chance that the Zambezi National Park on the Zimbabwean side may close if it’s been raining heavily.

February is still the low season – known as the “green season” – in Victoria Falls, so hotels offer lower rates.

Climate

March is another warm, humid, rainy month in Victoria Falls, with frequent afternoon thundershowers and average daytime highs of 31°C/88°F.

Highlights of the Month

The Zambezi River is full of water from the summer rains, which means that Victoria Falls is pumping at full volume. Expect to see a dramatic spectacle with a soundtrack of roaring thunder and lots of mist and spray (which can obscure the view).

March is another month for birders. The migratory species are still in the national parks and the trees around the falls. Wildlife viewing is difficult because of the lush vegetation at this time of the year.

Whitewater rafting usually ends in March or April because of the high water level in the Zambezi River.

March is nearing the end of the “green season,” or low season, when hotels offer their lowest rates on rooms.

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Climate

The rainy season ends in April, a much drier month than March. The temperature drops slightly but is still warm, with daytime temperatures in the high 20°C/68°F.

Highlights of the Month

In April, the Zambezi River is extremely full, so Victoria Falls is in full flow. It’s an excellent time to travel to the falls if you want to see the natural spectacle at its most dramatic. However, the spray sent up by the waterfalls can make it difficult to see the falls at foot level, so at this time of year, a helicopter ride will give you the best view. The views from the Zambian side are also better during this full-flow period.

April is the last month to spot migratory bird species before they move in the dry winter.

Climate

May marks the beginning of the dry winter season with almost no rainfall and a drop in temperatures (nighttime lows go down to 11°C/52°F). Pack warm clothes to wear at night and in the early mornings.

Highlights of the Month

May has terrific weather, with sunshine and blue skies. It’s a good time of year to travel to Victoria Falls to witness the astounding spectacle of a massive volume of water gushing down the gorge with a roar, although there’s less spray and mist than in March and April.

Climate

June is a dry, cool month in Victoria Falls, with nighttime temperatures dropping to below 10°C/50°F, although daytimes are mild and temperatures can go up to the mid 20°C/68°F. You’ll need to bring warm clothing for nighttime activities, early morning hikes, and game drives.

Highlights of the Month

June is one of the busiest months of the year for visiting Victoria Falls. The views of the falls are excellent – the falls are still mighty but don’t have as much spray as earlier in the year, as the water level in the Zambezi has decreased.

As the vegetation starts to thin out in June, the wildlife viewing in the national parks surrounding the falls gets much easier.

Climate

July is the coolest month of the year. Nighttime temperatures drop to 7°C/45°F, while daytime temperatures are in the mid 20°C/68°F. Pack warm clothes for nighttime and early morning game drives and activities.

Highlights of the Month

July is a popular month to visit Victoria Falls for the clear blue skies, sunshine, and excellent views of the falls. The river is not at its fullest, so the mist and spray have decreased from the earlier months of the year, and you’ll get perfect panoramas.

July is a great time for game viewing in the Zambezi National Park in Zimbabwe and Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park in Zambia.

Climate

August is another dry month, but it’s slightly warmer than July, with daytime averages of 29°C/84°F and nighttime temperatures of 10°C/50°F.

Highlights of the Month

August is one of the peak months for tourism in Victoria Falls. It’s a great time to view the falls and the best month for whitewater rafting. The Devil’s Pool usually opens near the end of this month, and swimming in this natural infinity pool is a highlight for many travelers. Wildlife viewing in August is excellent as vegetation is dry and thin, and animals have to drink in the Zambezi River, making them easy to spot.

August is a busy month, so expect to share attractions and activities with many other people. It’s the peak season, so hotel rates are at their highest.

Climate

September starts to get warmer. Daytime temperatures can be 33°C/91°F, while nighttimes are still a cool 15°C/59°F. It’s still in the dry season, though, with usually no rainfall.

Highlights of the Month

September is one of the best months for visiting Victoria Falls. It’s not yet too hot, the falls are still flowing on both sides of the border, and wildlife viewing and whitewater rafting are excellent. It’s busy, so you’ll pay high season rates and have to book ahead for lodging.

Climate

October is known as “Suicide Month.” This is the hottest month of the year, with an average of 34°C/93°F for daytime temperatures, but the highs can go above 40°C/104°F.

Highlights of the Month

With no rains for months, the water in the Zambezi River starts to run low, and by the end of the month, the falls can dry up in Zambia for some years.

Right at the end of the dry season, October is an excellent month for wildlife viewing in the Zambezi National Park in Zimbabwe and Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park in Zambia.

It’s sweltering in October, and many people choose not to travel at this time of year because of the high temperatures.

Climate

In November, the summer rains begin, bringing welcome relief from the intense heat of October, although it’s still very hot.

Highlights of the Month

The Zambezi River is at its lowest level of the year, and Victoria Falls can completely dry up on the Zambian side, although the waterfalls flow year-round in Zimbabwe. It’s not the best time to see the falls if you want to experience their full power.

November is one of the best months of the year for whitewater rafting: the rapids are more challenging because of the low water level in the river.

Migratory bird species arrive in the area in November, marking the start of the bird-watching season.

November is the beginning of the low season in Victoria Falls – an excellent time to travel if you want to score on discounted hotel rates and packages.

Climate

December is slightly cooler than November but still a hot month, with daytime temperatures averaging 31°C/88°F. It’s also the second wettest month of the year (after January), so you’ll get an afternoon thundershower on most days.

Highlights of the Month

The Zambezi

The river is low in December, so the falls are much less dramatic than earlier in the year. The waterfalls can also completely dry up on the Zambian side.

With the start of summer rains, the vegetation starts to get full and greener, which means December isn’t an ideal time for wildlife viewing. However, the birdlife at this time of year is superb, with birds in their full colourful plumage and many migratory species around.

December is the last month for excellent whitewater rafting with the perfect water level in the Zambezi River.

December is low season in Vic Falls, so you’ll be able to get lower rates on hotels and packages.