Best Time to Visit Zambia

Zambia has a sub-tropical climate and its weather is defined by a marked wet and dry season rather than summer and winter. The dry season runs from May to October and is when to go to Zambia for the best game viewing along with pleasantly mild daytime temperatures (although September and October get extremely hot).

The rainy season (December to April) is commonly called the “Green Season” as the bush is beautifully thick and green. This however makes game viewing less easy as the vegetation is so dense plus many animals move away from dry season water sources – note also when planning your Zambia safari that some lodges close during the rainy season due to flooding.

The best time to visit Victoria Falls on the Zambia side is at the end of the rainy season (March – May) when the Zambezi River is in full flood and the falls are at their most spectacular. Be prepared to get drenched by the spray!

If you travel during the dry season (especially in October and November) there may be no water coming over the Zambian side of the falls, in which case you’ll need to cross over to Zimbabwe to see the main falls. Certain activities such as white-water rafting are only on offer when water levels are low, and this is also the time to take a dip in the Devil’s Pool – a natural rock pool right on the edge of the falls.

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