When is the best time to visit Zambia? This is always the biggest question for anyone planning a safari in Africa to Zambia.
We can authoritatively say that the best time to visit Zambia is during the dry season, which lasts from May to October. The best time to visit Zambia is during the dry season from August to November.
Zambia is a relatively temperate country, although the climate can vary from 21 °C or 70 °F to 31 °C or 88 °F depending on the altitude, which is usually between 1000 and 1600 meters. This is- largely determined by the Zambezi valleys, Kafue and Luangwa Rivers.
The best time to visit Zambia is during the dry season, and unlike the other busiest destinations in East and Southern Africa, the number of visitors is low, so it shouldn’t be a factor in your travel planning as it never feels busy.
Temperatures can drop sharply from day to night no matter what time of year you travel, but especially in June and July. When to go depends on the season
These months are perfect for wildlife viewing and offer pleasantly mild daytime temperatures – although September and October are very hot.
Zambia has a subtropical climate and has two very distinct seasons, the dry months in winter and the rainy season in summer.
The rainy season from December to April is usually called the green season because the landscape is lush, dense and green during that time.
This makes game viewing a bit more difficult and therefore not the best time to visit Zambia. This is because the vegetation can be dense and many animals move away from water sources during the dry season.
A Monthly Guide to Help with the Best Time to Visit Zambia
Is January to April the best time to visit Zambia?
Some believe that the best time to visit Zambia is during these months – the rainy season, when the scenery is stunning and accommodation prices are usually much lower.
However, it is not ideal for everyone, as the weather can vary greatly on the same day. The rains are short-lived, which means that it will not prevent you from enjoying the activity for a long time, except maybe for a few trips on small roads.
Generally, the rain comes earlier and then stops the further north you are, with more rain in the east than in the west. Some camps have been known to close, so please contact us if you are unsure.
January is the height of the rainy season and the time of heavy summer rains. This is not considered the best time to visit Zambia as roads are often flooded and some camps are closed.
February is very much like January: short, powerful thunderstorms and flooded roads in the safari parks. Flying safaris are the best way to experience Zambia’s wet emerald season.
However not all lodges are open, some areas of South Luangwa National Park offer exceptional boat safaris at this time of year.
The rainy season ends in March, but there is still a lot of rain, especially in the north of the country. This is a good time to visit Zambia for bird watching as thousands of migratory birds begin their annual migration.
March is a great month to drive along the Zambezi River and Victoria Falls in full swing, but it’s best seen from the sky by helicopter or microlight – if you don’t mind getting wet from the spray.
April may not be peak season for game viewing, but it is one of the best time to visit Zambia for a safari. This is because accommodation prices are incredibly low and if you are looking for great discounts, this is the time.
By mid-April, the rain has almost completely stopped, especially in the south, and the cool temperatures and green landscapes make for a very pleasant day in the parks.
Predators like lions, leopards and cheetahs are harder to spot because of all the greenery.
Could May And June Be The Best Time To Visit Zambia?
May is the start of the dry season and is considered one of the best time to visit Zambia to watch the games.
This month not only marks the end of the rainy season, but is also known as the most beautiful month of the year. Some Zambia safari camps and lodges have reopened and now is also a good time to see Victoria Falls in all its glory.
June is the peak season for game viewing safaris in Zambia. Later in the dry season, the weather is usually very hot, but June is cooler, making it one of the best time to visit Zambia for walking safaris.
The Luangwa Valley is Zambia’s walking safari mecca, although many of the larger parks also offer guided walks.
Trip to Zambia in July-August
The traditional dry season in Zambia, it is the most comfortable in terms of temperature and also the most popular time.
Temperatures gradually rise as we move into September and October, with some areas such as the Luangwa Valley and Lower Zambezi feeling particularly hot.
Game viewing can be phenomenal as the animals seek water from the riverbanks.
July is one of the busiest months, but the best time to go on safari in Zambia as the wildlife sightings are amazing. However, the price of the camps is the highest this season.
The vegetation is no longer abundant due to all the rains of the previous months, so seeing wildlife is much easier.
For those looking for the best time to visit Zambia to raft, the rafting season starts at the end of July, but the rafting conditions all depend on how much rain has fallen during the rainy season.
The peak safari season in Zambia continues in August, the perfect combination of cool and dry weather conditions reduces vegetation, making it the best time to visit Zambia for phenomenal wildlife encounters.
Dry air causes surface water sources to evaporate by the end of the month, sending cattle in droves to their usual watering holes.
South Luangwa National Park is particularly good at this time of year, where you can start with walking safaris.
Should I Visit Zambia in September and October?
In September the temperatures rise, the bird watching is excellent and it is very common to see eagles and herons fishing in the drained ponds.
Despite the hot days, things cool down in the afternoon, making for excellent walking conditions. There is plenty of things to do in Zambia this month and is also among the best time to visit Zambia.
The heat is relentless in Zambia in October as extremely hot weather sweeps through the country’s lowlands. Today, rafting is not just an adventure challenge, but a great way to cool off from the heat while visiting Zambia.
For the fisherman, Lake Kariba in Zambia is the place to go for tiger fishing in October. There may be no water on the Zambian side of Victoria Falls at the moment and you may have to cross into Zimbabwe to see the main falls.
These “shoulder months” are still a good time to visit Zambia, as they can be less busy and in between seasons, which can mean pleasant weather.
Trip to Zambia in November-December
November is hard to predict and you could have a completely dry month or see the first rains to start the rainy season.
The weather can be quite unpredictable in November as it is difficult to know exactly when the summer rains will start. But this is one of the best time to travel to Zambia for cheaper accommodation.
Despite the upcoming rainy season, the second largest wildebeest migration in Africa begins in Liuwa Plain National Park in mid-November – Safari lovers can see 0ver 10,000 blue wildebeest in the landscape.
December is usually cooler than earlier months of the year and marks the start of the rainy season in Zambia. Despite the cooler conditions, the climate can still be very hot and humid.
Most of the camps and lodges are completely closed due to heavy rains and floods.
When to Visit to Zambia by Activity
Bat migration
The best time to visit Zambia to watch bat migration is from November to December, up to ten million fruit bats descend on Kasanka National Park.
Herds of Wildebeest
The best time to go t Zambia for wildebeest migration is in November when large herds of wildebeest gather on the Liuwa plains to take advantage of the fresh grazing.
Hippos
If you want to see hippos, then the best time to visit Zambia is all year round, but at the end of the dry season you will see large pods accumulating in the remaining pools in the drying riverbed of the Luangwa River.
Migratory birds
For ardent bird watchers, the best time to visit Zambia is from March, migratory birds arrive in flocks, a birdwatcher’s dream.
Predators
If you are looking for a kill sighting then the best time to visit Zambia is between July-October offers the best conditions for spotting big cats and other predators.
Leopards
For leopard lovers, the best time to visit Zambia to see this feline is between May-June is the best time to see the African Leopard in Bangweulu Marshes.
When to go to v Zambia for Experience
Wild animals
The rainy season is a good time to see herbivores because the scenery is incredible, the animals look very healthy and many give birth to their young at this time.
However, if this is your first safari this will not be the best time to visit Zambia. Consider visiting during the dry season, when animals are known to congregate around waterholes. The rainy season is the best time for Bird watching.
Festivals
Zambia enjoys public and private festivals throughout the year, but these are not usually attended by tourists, so we recommend attending with local experts if possible.
The most famous is Kuomboka in the Western Province around Easter, which symbolizes the retreat of people to a higher level during the flood waters.
Kayak Safaris
The best time to visit Zambia for kayak safari experience is from June to September is the best time to lie down the Zambezi River following herds of elephants.
Victoria Falls
The best time to visit Zambia and experience Victoria Falls in its might is from February to May, see the full force of the Zambezi as it thunders over the falls from its bird’s eye view.
Walking Safaris
For Zambia walking safaris, the best time to visit Zambia is between July-October – Dry season in Zambia and the most comfortable time to hike in terms of temperature.