Best Time to Visit – South Luangwa NP

Philip Briggs
Expert
By Philip Briggs

Philip has travelled through Zambia several times and is the author of more than 20 guidebooks to various African destinations.

Philip is the Zambia expert for SafariBookings and author of more than 20 guidebooks to Africa.

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

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July to November are the best wildlife-viewing months. This is the middle and end of the Dry season and water in the bush has dried up, so animals congregate around the rivers and watercourses. However, October and November are extremely hot, and some people may find conditions difficult to cope with in these months.

Best Time July to the middle of November (The bush is dry, and animals are easy to find)
High Season July to October (Mfuwe, South Luangwa’s main area, can become busy and high-season rates apply)
Low Season Mid-November to May (Some lodges close during part of the Wet season, low season rates apply)
Best Weather April to August (It is cooler and it hardly ever rains)
Worst Weather October to March (Hot and wet weather)

May to October –Dry Season

  • Animals gather around the river and vegetation thins, prime wildlife-viewing time
  • Lots of sunshine, rarely interrupted by rains
  • Fewer mosquitoes means less risk of malaria
  • The Mfuwe area, where most lodges are situated, can become busy
  • High-season rates apply from July to October
  • The sky is very hazy, and the bush looks parched
  • October is unbearably hot
  • Mornings are cold from June to August; pack warm clothing

Wildlife Photos

View Photos (24)
+22 Photos Want to Visit

November to April –Wet Season

  • This is the ‘emerald season’ – the scenery is green and the air fresh
  • There are very few tourists, and rates are lower
  • Best time for birding enthusiasts with migrants present
  • There are many newborn animals
  • Wildlife viewing is superior in the Dry season
  • It is very hot and humid
  • Some lodges close from December to March
  • Malaria is a bigger concern than in the Dry season
  • Some dirt roads become difficult to drive and are even impassable

Wildlife Photos
+22 Photos

Best Time to Go to Zambia by Major Park

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  • Kafue National Park
    JanJ
    FebF
    MarM
    AprA
    MayM
    JunJ
    JulJ
    AugA
    SepS
    OctO
    NovN
    DecD
  • Lower Zambezi NP
    JanJ
    FebF
    MarM
    AprA
    MayM
    JunJ
    JulJ
    AugA
    SepS
    OctO
    NovN
    DecD
  • South Luangwa NP
    JanJ
    FebF
    MarM
    AprA
    MayM
    JunJ
    JulJ
    AugA
    SepS
    OctO
    NovN
    DecD

Want to Visit South Luangwa NP?