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Lower Zambezi National Park

Weather & Climate

Expert

By Philip Briggs

Philip is our Zambia expert and author of more than 20 guidebooks to Africa.

Climate Chart Lower Zambezi National Park – 339-1,387m / 1,112-4,551ft

Lower Zambezi National Park has a hot climate with a Wet and Dry season and fairly uniform temperatures year-round. However, it gets quite cold at night from May to August. December to February are the wettest months and rain can be expected most days.

Dry Season –May to October

The lack of rainfall means the bush gets drier and drier as the season progresses. Animals gather around the river, making it the best time for wildlife viewing. The days are hot but the nights are cool and refreshing.

May – The beginning of the Dry season is marked by the Wet season rains coming to a halt. The vegetation is still thick, and there is still a lot of water around.
June & July – With the end of the rains, the bush dries out. Temperatures fall to a moderate daytime average of around 25°C/77°F. Warm clothing for early morning drives is essential, as the nights cool down to around 11°C/52°F.
August & September – Dry conditions prevail. The bush is starting to look parched. It is warming up too, and September’s average daytime temperature is about 31°C/88°F. Mornings are getting milder.
October – Temperatures rise to an average of 34°C/93°F. They can peak much higher with the heat intolerable during the day. Mornings are lovely with temperatures around 21°C/70°F. The first rain often falls late October, leading to a drop in the temperature.

Wet Season –November to April

This is the warm Wet season. Some remote areas are difficult to reach as roads deteriorate and many camps are closed. Afternoon showers and thunderstorms are common. Clear skies and lush landscapes are the norm.

November – The rain (when it starts in October or November) brings respite from the dry conditions. It is extremely hot with daytime temperatures about 33°C/91°F. It doesn’t rain every day and rain mostly arrives as afternoon thunderstorms.
December, January, February & March – These are the wettest months with rain most days. Temperatures hover around 32°C/90°F during the day, while at night, and in the early morning, 16°C/61°F is usual.
April – This is a favorite month with less rainfall, and the bush is lush and green.