Best time to visit Zambia

Seasons and climate in Zambia

Unlike in Europe, the course of the year in Zambia does not follow the classic seasons of spring, summer, fall and winter. Instead, the twelve months are divided into Zambia's dry season and rainy season - typical for the southern hemisphere. However, there are a few special features: the rainy season in Zambia is limited to one continuous period per year. In addition to the cool dry season, there is also the hot dry season in Zambia.

Whether you prefer to visit Zambia during the best travel time between May and October or an alternative period depends largely on the activities you have planned. You should also take your location into account when planning your trip. While the average temperature on the high plateaus is 21 degrees Celsius, the river valleys in Zambia reach an annual average of 25 degrees Celsius.

Unlike in many other African countries, travelers from Central Europe find Zambia's tropical to subtropical climate to be pleasantly mild.

Below we present the three prevailing seasons in detail.

Zambia's rainy season: November to April

Long and heavy rain showers are typical of Zambia's rainy season, which corresponds to the Central European winter to early spring. The roads in the national parks are often impassable at this time of year and most lodges remain closed. Otherwise dry grass steppes turn into water-rich flood plains. Storms are also the order of the day. January and February are particularly rainy. The highest daily temperatures are around 25 degrees Celsius with warm and humid air.

Zambia's cool dry season: May to August

While spring and summer temperatures soar in Central Europe, the months from May to August are comparatively cool in Zambia. What's more, it usually remains dry. During the day, you can expect pleasant summery maximum temperatures of between 24 and 27 degrees Celsius. At night, it can freshen up considerably to between 7 and 9 degrees Celsius. Locally, ground frost is even possible in June and July.

Zambia's hot dry season: September to October

With maximum temperatures of over 30 degrees Celsius, “Zambia's summer” goes into full swing between September and October. This is particularly noticeable in the North Luangwa National Park with sweat-inducing temperatures of up to 40 degrees Celsius. An average of 10 hours of sunshine per day really heat things up. October is usually the warmest month. Good news for adventure-seekers: wildlife safaris are now in high season!

Preferred travel time for safaris in Zambia

Zambia is known for its biodiversity. Both the cool and warm dry seasons offer the best opportunities for numerous wildlife sightings. In addition to classic game drives in open off-road vehicles, there are also other exciting safari activities on offer between May and October.

You can look forward to:

• Guided walks with expert guides
• Boat trips
• Horseback safaris
• Bike tours and much more

Elephants, buffalo, wildebeest and co. gather in large herds at the waterholes of the national parks. In their lee: predators such as lions, leopards and hyenas. Sparsely planted with grasses, the vast plains provide a clear view of the wild animals. So nothing remains hidden from you!

Best time to visit the Victoria Falls

Due to the adverse weather conditions already mentioned, safari trips are not advisable in many areas of Zambia during the rainy season. The situation is quite different for a visit to the Victoria Falls on the border with Zimbabwe. The high water level transforms the Zambezi River into a raging torrent at this time of year. The thundering masses of water and the gushing spray of the Victoria Falls are particularly impressive between November and April.

Even if Zambia's weather writes its own rules - with the right planning, you can travel to the state in southern Africa all year round.

Would you like to swim in the Devils Pool right on the precipice of the Victoria Falls and enjoy the breathtaking view? If the Zambezi River has less water in the dry season between May and October, you can do this at your own risk. In the rainy season or when the water level is high, entering the current-rich river is considered extremely risky.

The exposed rocks offer contrasting photo opportunities in the cool and hot dry season. Rafting tours are among the most popular activities on the Zambezi River all year round. In addition, you can usually choose your own hiking routes around the Victoria Falls during the months with little rainfall. Possible closures due to flooding are not to be expected.

Zambia during the rainy season: an insider tip for individualists

Depending on your destination, the rainy season between November and April is also a good time to travel to Zambia. In addition to fewer visitors, you can also look forward to lower prices outside the high season.

Some regions of Zambia undergo an impressive metamorphosis at this time of year. Barren land blossoms in lush green. Where lush grass sprouts, hungry wildebeest are not far away. From the end of October until June, you can observe large herds of ungulates on their seasonal migration through the Liuwa Plains National Park. This natural spectacle can otherwise only be seen in the Serengeti in Tanzania and the Masai Mara in Kenya.

Take out your camera and capture the wildlife migration in sound and vision! Pure relaxation: you can look out for exotic birds on safari hikes along the green riverbanks.

Seasonal differences by region

Are you planning your first trip to Africa or are you always drawn back to the cradle of humanity? With 19 national parks and pristine landscapes, Zambia is a rewarding destination for both experienced and inexperienced travelers - in many ways. The following travel times are suitable for Zambia's most popular regions:

South Luangwa National Park

In Zambia's best-known wildlife sanctuary, wildlife sightings are already likely in the early dry season in May and June. With pleasantly mild summer temperatures, you can see elephants and buffalo as well as Nile crocodiles, hippos and zebras. From September onwards, temperatures on the plains rise to 40 degrees Celsius. The Luangwa River is the heart of the national park, which was established in 1972 - this is also where most of the animals gather.

Kafue National Park

Kafue National Park, located in south-western Zambia, is the largest national park in the country. With a bit of luck, you may encounter four of the famous Big Five here. As the area covers 22,400 square kilometers, you should plan several days for safari activities if possible. Even rare species such as cheetahs, leopards and African greyhounds are at home here. Between May and October, the journey is particularly worthwhile due to the favorable weather in Zambia.

Lower Zambezi National Park

The Lower Zambezi National Park welcomes you to the north-western bank of the Zambezi River. Large herds of elephants with up to 100 animals can often be seen here. In addition to big cats such as lions and leopards, you can also observe swimming buffalo in this 4,200 square kilometer area. Over 400 bird species make the national park interesting for ornithologists. In the dry season between May and October, the chances of successful safari adventures are good.

Do you have any further questions about the best time to travel to Zambia? We would be happy to advise you on seasonal topics, destinations and activities.