​Best Time to Visit – Zambia

Philip Briggs
Expert
By Philip Briggs

Philip has traveled 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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You’ll see lots of wildlife in Zambia during the middle and end of the Dry season (May to October). This will fit in nicely with a visit to Victoria Falls, which is at its best from June to August. A Wet season safari (November to April) is much more challenging, as most parks and camps shut down because of heavy rain. The exception is the Mfuwe section of South Luangwa National Park, which has a small circuit of all-weather roads.

Best Time May to September (Most parks)
High Season July to October (Victoria Falls and South Luangwa get busy)
Low Season November to April (Very few people; many camps are closed)
Best Weather April to August (Cool and dry)
Worst Weather October (Very hot) and December to March (The wettest months)

May to October –Dry Season – Winter

  • Animals are easier to spot
  • There’s hardly any rain, and there are fewer mosquitoes
  • June through August is the best time to see Victoria Falls
  • October gets very hot, especially in South Luangwa and Lower Zambezi
  • Morning game drives in winter are chilly, so bring warm clothing

Wildlife Photos

View Photos (23)
+21 Photos Want to Visit

November to April –Wet Season – Summer

  • The landscape is green
  • January and February are good months to see Victoria Falls
  • You can see newborn animals
  • This is the best time for birding, with migrants present
  • The rain mostly falls as short showers in the late afternoon
  • It’s low season, which means lower rates
  • Most parks and camps close down – but South Luangwa remains open
  • Animals are harder to find because they no longer rely on rivers and waterholes to drink
  • From October to December, Victoria Falls might just be a trickle on the Zambian side

Wildlife Photos

Male lion
Herd of buffalo
+21 Photos

Best Time to Go to Zambia by Major Park

For the best wildlife viewing in the main parks (South Luangwa, Kafue and Lower Zambezi), visit in the dry winter months (July to October). This coincides with the best opportunities for great photos of Victoria Falls – from June to August. Most camps close in the rainy season and washed-out roads make travel difficult. However, the landscape is beautiful and bird watching is superb at this time.

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