Weather & Climate – Luambe NP

Alan Murphy
Expert
By Alan Murphy

Alan is a renowned Africa expert and has authored many Lonely Planet guidebooks, including the guide to Zambia.

Alan is a renowned Africa expert and has authored many Lonely Planet guidebooks, including the guide to Zambia.

Alan is a renowned Africa expert and authored the Lonely Planet guidebook to Zambia.

Alan has authored the Lonely Planet guide to Zambia.

Climate Chart Luambe National Park

Climate Chart Luambe National Park – 553-670m / 1,814-2,198ft

* Averages based on 50 years of monthly climate data, taken from 1km² (0.39mi²) interpolated climate surfaces.
© chart & park data: SafariBookings. © climate grid data: WorldClim project. All rights reserved.

The climate in Luambe NP tends to be hot, and there is a distinct Wet and Dry season. Due to its tropical location, the temperature doesn’t change much throughout the year. Nights are notably cooler in the Dry season though, and there is a spike in daytime temperatures before the rains, which peak in October.

Dry season –May to October

There is almost no rain at all in the Dry season. This is the best time for wildlife viewing. It is hot during the day, but cool at night. The only lodge in the park is open from June to October only.

  • May – The bush is still thick, and there is plenty of water around at the beginning of the Dry season. This is not a good time to visit the park as roads are still waterlogged.
  • June & July – The rains have come to an end, and the park is drying out. The coolest months of the year are experienced – daytime temperatures climb to 28°C/82°F. Nighttime gets chilly with temperatures of 12°C/54°F. Warm clothing for morning game drives is essential.
  • August & September – The dry conditions mean the bush is starting to look scorched from the heat. It is getting hotter – September has an average daytime temperature of 33°C/91°F. Mornings are milder.
  • October – Peak temperatures can be unrelenting during the day. Average temperatures are about 35°C/95°F. Mornings offer respite with lovely weather, around 20°C/68°F. Temperatures drop after the first rains, which usually fall during this month.

Wet season –November to April

This is the warm, Wet season. The only lodge in the park is closed during this period. The roads are black cotton soil and become impassable after the first rains. Access during the Wet season is very difficult and not recommended.

  • November – The sky is a hazy, gray color. The rain starts in October or November – precipitation is a relief because the bush is extremely dry. The average, daytime temperature is 34°C/93°F. Rain mostly comes in afternoon thunderstorms, but not every day.
  • December, January, February & March – The wettest period brings rain most days, although it doesn’t usually last all day. Temperatures average 30°C/86°F in the daytime, while at night and in the early morning it’s around 20°C/68°F.
  • April – A very nice time of year as the rain is diminishing but the landscape is lush and green.

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