Best time to visit Zimbabwe

February is another month with poor wildlife viewing but excellent birding opportunities. However, the upside is that there is occasional sunshine during the day, so it’s not all rain this month.

This is an excellent time for photographers looking to capture unique images. Bigger wildlife are also visible in the thick vegetation, while smaller game life is less visible.

Mana Pools National Park may not be the best place to visit now. It can be muddy, making getting around difficult.

The country is famous for its elephant and big cat sightings, so there’s always a chance you will see them.

Like Namibia, Zimbabwe is teeming with history, heritage, and ancient rock art dating back to the pre-middle Stone Ages. You’re in for a treat having a holiday here.

Weather in February

February has a mix of rainy weather and sunshine, making outdoor activities more feasible. Temperatures often reach a high of 29 degrees Celsius, so even though it rains, the weather tends to be humid.

Highlight Park to Visit in February

Hwange National Park

While at its best in the dry season, Hwange National Park can still be enjoyed in February.

Birding is a popular activity this month, and baby animals are great to see during the wet season. Capturing the moments between animals and their young is a unique experience compared to game drives in the dry season.

On your birding safari, spot species like the Bradfield’s hornbill, crimson-breasted shrike, magpie shrike, red-billed francolin, and secretary bird.

Activities to do in February

• Birding
• Photographic safaris

The rainy season ends in March, and while game viewing is still limited, excellent birding opportunities await.

Sunny days become more consistent, and large pools of water become scarce, so wildlife is slowly becoming easier to spot in parks. Although in limited numbers, there is a chance for you to see some animals.

Many migratory birds are still present in March, making birding safaris rewarding.

If you are lucky enough, you might spot larger game life in Matusadona National Park. When visiting, you can see African fish eagle, giant kingfisher, glossy ibis, lilac-breasted roller, and meves’s starling.

With rain still present, migratory birds are often still around. Some migrate from Asia or Europe to Africa, while others migrate within Africa.

Weather in March

March is a shoulder month, as its weather mirrors February’s. During the day, temperatures often reach a high of 30 degrees.

Highlight Park to Visit in March

Victoria Falls

This waterfall is located between Zambia and Zimbabwe. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site with strong cultural, historical, and scientific significance.

The water flow is at its most dramatic this time of year, and nearby, you’ll get drenched, which can be part of a fantastic Victoria Falls experience. If you prefer, you can admire the waterfall from a distance.

Victoria Falls is a photographer’s haven for capturing bird life. It hosts over 400 bird species, and the region often welcomes different migrant species.

Activities to do in March

• Birding
• Photographic safaris
• Spa treatments

Considering the pleasant weather and wildlife viewing, April is a good time to visit Zimbabwe.

Game drives can get chilly at night, so pack warmer clothes.

This month, a great park to visit is Matobo National Park, where you can track rhinos and see prehistoric rock art that gives a glimpse into the past inhabitants of Zimbabwe.

Wildlife sightings tend to be slow this time of year, but it can be a rewarding experience when spotted.

When visiting here, it’s helpful to know that the ethnic group present are the Shona people. A vacation here will broaden your horizons as you learn about the many fascinating cultures.

Weather in April

Clear skies are present in April with occasional showers, but the good news is that the rainy season ends in April.

Wildlife in Zimbabwe can be difficult at this time of year, considering the availability of waterholes.

Nights tend to get cold in Zimbabwe, so layer up to avoid catching a chill.

Highlight Park in April

Matobo National Park

April is a good time to visit Matobo National Park as migrant bird species are still around as the wet season ends.

Birds you can expect to see here are the augur buzzard, black-collared barbet, boulder chat, mocking cliff chat, and Verreaux’s eagle.

Wildlife viewing here can still be a little challenging, but some animals you can expect to see are giraffes, hippos, zebras, and wildebeests.

Activities to do in April

• Game drives
• Birding
• Photographic safaris

Game viewing improves significantly in May as sunny days become common.

May marks the first month of the dry season, and wildlife is much more prominent in different parks.

This month, a great park to visit is Hwange National Park, which hosts the Big Five (rhinos are a rare sight, though).

The park is one of the biggest in Zimbabwe and a must-see region.

While English is the official language of the country, other languages spoken here are Shona and Ndebele.

To experience a little bit of the culture, a great start is to try the national dish of Zimbabwe called Sadza. It involves mixing cornmeal with water until it reaches a smooth consistency and is often served with meat and vegetables.

Weather in May

Sunny days are expected most of the month, but an odd shower or two may occur.

Although the weather has improved this month, game drives in the morning and the evening can be chilly, so remember to dress warmly.

Highlight Park to Visit in May and Why

Matusadona National Park

May is an excellent time to see wildlife here, with the star attractions of hippos, buffaloes, and elephants.

Other animals that are rare but occur occasionally in the park are lions, hyenas, and zebras.

While wildlife has previously declined, the numbers are slowly increasing, and there are plans to reintroduce black rhinos and cheetahs in the coming years.

Birding is also a great activity in the park, and even though the weather has picked up, warm clothing should be worn during morning and evening game drives.

Activities to do in May

• Game drives
• Photographic safaris

The dry season is well underway in June, making it an excellent time for a safari experience.

June sees plenty of sunshine, but morning and evening drives mirror that of May in that it can get quite chilly.

Kariba National Park is a great region to visit this month, and it boasts the Big Five in its vicinity. By day, you can spot hippos in the water, while at night, you can find them looking for food on land.

Elephants and buffaloes are often abundant around the lake, and photographing them in their natural habitat is a surreal experience.

Weather in June

The sun continues to shine into June and paves the way for a great safari trip.

While temperatures reach 25 degrees, temperatures drop at night, so remember to layer up.

Highlight Park to Visit in June and Why

Lake Kariba National Park

Elephants and buffaloes are abundant around the lake, and you’ll find hippos floating about in the water.

Keeping binoculars around will come in handy for closely examining wildlife in the park.

You can spot hippos lounging in the water during the day and roaming on land at night. They love to graze, and seeing the little ones hanging out with their moms is heartwarming!

Activities to do in June

• Game drives
• Photographic safaris

July is the middle of Zimbabwe’s dry season. The daytime temperatures are warm, but they drop in the evenings.

Wildlife viewing is still at its peak, and Mana Pools National Park is a place you’d want to visit at this time of year. Four of the Big Five exist here, but rhinos are scarce.

With the sun out, there’s more to do than stay indoors or do game drives. Wellness activities like spa treatments and outdoor yoga are also available.

The dry season is a fantastic time to get out and enjoy some amazing photographic and birding safaris! It’s the perfect opportunity to spot both beautiful birds and incredible wildlife all at once.

Weather in July

July sees sunny days, cold nights, and excellent game viewing. It’s a great time of year to travel and offers opportunities for a photographic safari.

Highlight Park to Visit in July and Why

Matusadona National Park

Wildlife that occurs in abundance here are elephants and hippos, with a reasonable amount of buffaloes.

Matusadona National Park currently hosts four of the Big Five, with occasional lion sightings and no rhinos.

On the lakeshore, you can find hippos and crocodiles sunning themselves.

Activities to do in July

• Game drives
• Birding
• Photographic safari

By this time of year, the green landscapes have transformed to brown, with wildlife viewing at its best.

The sun is out, but morning and night game drives can get chilly. Although it gets a bit cold, there is almost no chance of rain.

Zimbabwe currently has one of the highest densities of elephants, so there is a high chance you will encounter some during your game drives.

A park to visit in August is Zambezi National Park, which houses four of the Big Five. Here, you have a greater chance of seeing lions, buffaloes, and elephants than you do of cheetahs and African wild dogs.

Weather in August

Warm and sunny days occur in August, but temperatures drop at night.

For morning and night game drives, it is best to dress warmly to avoid discomfort.

Highlight Park to Visit in August and Why

Hwange National Park

August is also a great time to visit Hwange National Park as this is a Big Five destination, although spotting black and white rhinos is rare.

The park hosts one of the largest elephant populations in the world, so you’ll likely see a herd on a game drive.

Other wildlife that occurs in good numbers include giraffes, hippos, zebras, wildebeests, lions, and hyenas. You might even spot the African wild dog, cheetah, and leopard if you’re lucky enough.

Activities to do in August

• Game drives
• Spa treatments

September is such a fantastic month for spotting wildlife! With no rain for five months, many waterholes have dried up, which means animals are out and about, searching for water. This is a great time to see predators and their prey in action!

One of the highlights is watching lions at night when they’re most active. Just a heads up—the evenings can get a bit chilly, so bringing some warmer clothes for your safari adventure is a good idea.

Remember that since it’s one of the driest seasons, the animals tend to kick up quite a bit of dust, which might make photography a tad tricky. But overall, it’s an exhilarating time to be out in nature!

Weather in September

September mirrors August’s weather; days are bright and warm, but nights often get chilly.

Wildlife viewing remains incredible, and game drives tend to be eventful.

Highlight Park to Visit in September and Why

Matusadona National Park

Wildlife viewing at Matusadona National Park is magnificent. Hippos wallow in the shallows, and elephants and buffaloes are abundant.

A Big Five safari is possible here, but rhinos are absent. Lions and hyenas can be spotted occasionally. Regardless, game drives are likely to be successful.

Activities to do in September

• Game drives

The dry season ends in October, marking this month’s final opportunity for excellent game viewing.

Wildlife are drawn to the few available water sources, making game drives eventful.

This time of year isn’t ideal for photography, as the dust and smoke in the air make it a little challenging to capture fantastic imagery.

A great park to visit is Matobo National Park, best known for its leopards. Other big game such as giraffes, hippos, zebras, white rhinos, and wildebeests, exist in the park, but spotting them here is a lot harder.

Since Matobo is not a prime wildlife destination, other activities, such as birding and spa treatments, are available to enjoy.

Weather in October

Temperatures often reach a high of 33 degrees and a low of 17 degrees.

October marks the last month of the dry season, and it’s also the last period in which you get to see wildlife before they become dispersed due to rainfall.

Highlight Park to Visit in October and Why

Lake Kariba National Park

In addition to Matobo National Park, Lake Kariba National Park is a fantastic park to visit if you’re interested in seeing the Big Five.

Four Big Five are hosted here, with just the rhino absent. You’ll see lions, elephants, buffaloes, and leopards on your game drives.

Activities to do in October

• Game drives

November marks the beginning of the wet season, which brings invigorating thunderstorms! By mid-month, you can expect the rains to roll in, while the temperatures usually stay nice and warm.

While wildlife viewing might slow down a bit with the rains, don’t worry—this is actually a fantastic time for birdwatching! The wet season brings a flurry of migratory birds, making it an exciting time for bird enthusiasts.

If you’re looking for a great spot, Zambezi National Park is fabulous this month! You can catch a glimpse of beautiful birds resting on the sandbanks or soaring across the water.

Keep an eye out for some amazing species like the African skimmer, collared palm-thrush, goliath heron, long-toed lapwing, and the cheerful white-fronted bee-eater.

Weather in November

Temperatures reach a high of 33 degrees, and although the rain starts pouring, the weather tends to be warm.

This month is an excellent time for a photographic safari as thunderstorms create dramatic photography opportunities.

Highlight Park to Visit in November and Why

Matobo National Park

November is a fair time to visit Matobo National Park, as birdwatching is at its prime. Wildlife viewing, on the other hand, becomes difficult around this time of year as vegetation gets thicker.

The birds you see here are the augur buzzard, black-collared barbet, boulder chat, mocking cliff chat, and Verreaux’s eagle.

Activities to do in November

• Birding
• Spa treatments
• Photographic safaris

December is such a magical month! It’s one of the wettest times of the year, and with all that rain, the landscapes turn a stunning shade of green—perfect for a fun photographic safari!

Mornings tend to be bright and clear, but keep an eye out for some lovely afternoon showers.

While wildlife viewing can be a bit tricky this time of year since there are plenty of water sources, which means animals might not be as active, the experience is still unique!

Zambezi National Park is a fantastic choice if you’re looking for an awesome spot to explore. It’s home to a beautiful, jungle-like riverine forest filled with majestic trees like ebonies and baobabs.

Plus, a safari in December offers a fantastic birding safari experience and breathtaking photo opportunities.

Weather in December

Wildlife viewing is poor in December, but birding is at its prime.

Temperatures often reach a high of 30 degrees, which means thunderstorms are present, but it generally feels warm.

Highlight Park to Visit in December and Why

Lake Kariba National Park

Four Big Five are in Lake Kariba, with just the rhino absent. Hippos are seen around the lake during the day and grazing on land in the evenings.

However, wildlife viewing is much more challenging around this time of year, and a birding safari is much more successful here.

Birds you get to see here are the African fish eagle, malachite kingfisher, lilac-breasted roller, and great white pelican, to name a few.

Activities to do in December

• Birding
• Spa treatments
• Photographic safaris