Zambia Travel Guide

Weather & Climate

140 Zambia Safaris

Expert

By Philip Briggs

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

Climate Chart Lusaka – 1,300m / 4,265ft

The Dry season in Zambia is a lovely time to visit – it’s divided into a cooler period (May to August) and a hotter one (September and October). Zambia is right in the tropics and gets lots of rain in the Wet season (November to April). At that time many camps in Kafue, Lower Zambezi and the more remote parks shut down. The Mfuwe section of South Luangwa can be visited at any time of year.

Lusaka’s Climate Compared to Zambia’s Parks

The climate of the capital, Lusaka, is the same as that of the higher areas of central and southern Zambia, including Kafue National Park. The climate of the lower-lying South Luangwa and Lower Zambezi National Parks is considerably hotter: temperatures rise by about 6°C for every 1,000m you descend (or 3.5°F per 1,000ft).

Dry Season –May to October – Winter

In winter, there’s hardly any rain and humidity is low. Thirsty animals crowd around the waterholes and rivers to drink.

May – The end of summer, when temperatures are pretty cool: typically, 11°C/52°F in the morning and 25°C/77°F in the afternoon. Nighttime temperatures also start to drop and the rains have mostly come to an end.
June, July & August – The average morning temperature is a chilly 10°C/50°F, so bring warm clothing for early game drives. Afternoons are pleasant, with temperatures around 23°C/73°F, although lower-altitude parks such as South Luangwa and Lower Zambezi will be hotter.
September & October – The heat slowly builds and the first rains bring relief from very dry conditions. Daytime temperatures are around 31°C/88°F in October, which is the hottest month. In the lower-lying parks, temperatures often peak at over 40°C/104°F.

Dry Season Photos

+15 Photos

Wet Season –November to April – Summer

Due to high rainfall and bad roads, the Wet season months from December to March are not ideal for visiting Zambia.

November – An unpredictable month, but usually with some afternoon rain. Temperatures average between 18°C/64°F in the morning and 29°C/84°F in the afternoon.
December, January, February & March – The wettest months, with heavy downpours in the afternoon. Afternoon temperatures are around 26°C/78°F and the humidity is high.
April – The rains slow down and so does the humidity.