Quick facts

Best time to go: May to September (All parks)
High Season: July to October (Won’t feel crowded; only Victoria Falls gets busy)
Low Season: November to April (The parks will be very quiet)
Best Weather: April, May and September (Pleasant temperatures; afternoon rains are rare and seldom interfere with your safari)
Worst Weather: October to February (Very hot in low altitude parks; February to December are the wettest months)

April to October – Dry Season – Winter

• Vegetation is less and animals concentrate around waterholes and rivers, making wildlife easier to spot.
• Virtually no rain, clear blue skies and lots of sunshine. There are fewer mosquitoes.
• Although it is high season, the parks won’t be crowded, except for Victoria Falls.
• Victoria Falls is most spectacular from June through September, when the water is mid-to-low and the spray doesn’t block the view to the falls.
• October can get very hot in the low-lying areas, with temperatures well above 32°C/90°F.
• It gets cold at night in and in the mornings. It’s recommended to pack warm winter clothing for morning game drives in open vehicles during the months of June, July and August.
• From March to May the flow of the Zambezi river is at its peak, but the massive clouds of spray will block the view to Victoria Falls.

November to March – Wet Season – Summer

• The scenery is greener and it’s low season, resulting in lower rates.
• Many animals give birth in the wet season, so this is the best time to see newborn animals.
• Birdwatching is at its best, many birds are in their breeding plumage and migratory birds are present.
• Rains are mostly short afternoon showers and seldom have a negative impact on your safari.
• However, rains can be continuous for days.
• Game viewing is more difficult since there is more vegetation and animals no longer rely on water holes.
• The humidity combined with the higher temperatures in the low-lying parks can make it feel uncomfortably hot.
• From October to December the flow of the Zambezi river is at its lowest and Victoria Falls might just be a tickle.

Best time to go to Zimbabwe by major park

• Most parks offer year-round wildlife viewing, but they are at their best during the dry season when wildlife is easier to spot.
• Hwange is best visited in September-October when it is a magnet for big elephant herds.
• Photo opportunities of Victoria Falls are best between May and December.
• The rainy season is a beautiful time in Zimbabwe and excellent for birdwatching, but the roads in some places can be a problem, especially the 4×4 tracks in Mana Pools.