When is a good time to travel to Zambia?

The rains in Zambia fall primarily in December, January, February, and March, yet the more north you go, the earlier the rains arrive and the later they go. Eastern and higher places typically receive more rain than western and lowland areas. Zambia’s ‘Emerald Season’ is when most campgrounds close and many unsurfaced roads become impassable.

By April and May, most of the rain had subsided, leaving a verdant landscape that was beginning to dry off. Nighttime temperatures begin to dip, particularly in higher and more southerly regions.

In June, July, and August, the evenings are significantly cooler, but the days are clear and warm. If you’re going out at night, make sure to carry warm clothes to wrap up in because it can get very cold! Most of Zambia’s modest ‘walking bushcamps’ open in early June, when the roads have dried enough to allow access. This marks the beginning of the ‘peak season’ in these countries, with often clear days and increasing wildlife sightings.

Temperatures rise in September and October, and the lower-lying rift valleys, such as the Lower Zambezi and Luangwa Valley, can get quite hot in October. You will, however, witness some excellent game as the animals gather around the scarce water sources.

Livingstone

Lusaka

South Luangwa National Park

Zambia’s safari seasons

HIGH (DRY) SEASON – July, August, September and October

1	2	3	4
	Wildlife easier to spot		October gets very hot, especially in South Luangwa and Lower Zambezi
	There’s hardly any rain, and there are fewer mosquitoes		Morning game drives in winter are chilly, so bring warm clothing
	June through August is the best time to see Victoria Falls

SHOULDER SEASON – April, May, June and November

1	2	3	4
	The landscape is green		Grass can be high which can impede the viewing of wildlife
	Pleasant Temperatures		November can be very hot
	Still chance to see animals around water holes		Nights can be very cold in June
	Rutting season for some antelope

LOW (WET) SEASON – December, January, February and March

1	2	3	4
	February is an excellent time for bird watching		Hot and humid weather (November to March are the hottest months)
	Heavy but short downpours		More challenging to spot wildlife
	Localised afternoon thunderstorms		More mosquitoes about
	Possibility of seeing new born animals		Peak wet months December to March
	It’s low season, which means lower rates		Most parks and camps close down – but South Luangwa remains open
	You can see newborn animals		From October to December, Victoria Falls might just be a trickle on the Zambian side

When to visit Zambia’s national parks and game reserves

It is true to say that there are national parks and game reserves in Zambia for every season and for every interest, making Botswana the ideal safari destination at any time of the year. The dry season draws the wildlife to congregate along the life-giving waterways, and the rainy season attracts the herds to the lush new grass on the floodplains.