Best time to visit Zambia

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For me, Zambia is all about its wild spaces. The country’s landscape may largely comprise plateau, but it still manages to span woodland, thicket, and grassland. Although landlocked, rivers have granted the country the gift of life. The Luangwa and Kafue rivers are important enough wildlife corridors for safari goers. Yet it’s the Zambezi, tumbling over Victoria Falls towards Lake Kariba, which takes the crown. All of which demands the question, when is the best time to visit Zambia?

When to visit Zambia

Zambia’s seasons are divided into wet and dry. The dry season lasts from June until the start of November, and makes the obvious best time of year to go on safari in Zambia.

During these months, there’s also almost no rain at all. Unsurfaced roads inside and outside of Zambia’s incredible national parks are passible with ease.

The relative lack of vegetation means it’s easier to see iconic species including the Big Five, and cobalt blue skies are sparklingly clear. This does mean nights (and early morning game drives) can be chilly – don’t be surprised to see large quilts on the beds of camps and lodges.

By contrast, the wettest months of the year are January and February across the country. Zambia is generally best avoided at this time of year, with many camps closing for annual maintenance. These two months do make for a fascinating time to see Victoria Falls in full flood, although the amount of spray thrown up by ‘the smoke that thunders’ can make visualisation difficult.

The hottest months of the year in Zambia are September to November, when temperatures can reach 36°C (97°F) in Victoria Falls, South Luangwa National Park, and Kafue National Park. Thermometers in Lusaka are a little more relaxed at around 31°C (88°F) in October.

Temperatures at other times of year range from the mid-twenties Celsius (77°F) in Lusaka to the high twenties in the national parks.

Zambia in January to March: visiting Zambia in green season

Green season is a euphemistic term for the rainy season. In January and February, the country receives over 200 mm of rain (almost eight inches), and as I’ve already mentioned, some camps even shut up shop.

Why would anyone visit Zambia in January or February then? Firstly, Victoria Falls is in full flood. Secondly, the rains make these months one of the best times of year to visit Zambia for birdwatching, with a multitude of migratory species arriving.

The fresh young vegetation which springs up during the green season isn’t the only new life. The green season is also the time when herbivores including zebra and impala give birth. Needless to say, the big cats and other predator species which hunt them aren’t too far behind.

Rainfall drops by between a third and a half in March, but Victoria Falls reaches its maximum force, making this a good green season month to visit.

Zambia in April and May: Zambia’s shoulder season

April is shoulder season in Zambia, with the rains curtailing significantly to 10-20% of their January values. Camps start to reopen, but the month’s off-season reputation means there can be some great bargains to be had.

Any average May receives just as few millimetres of rainfall. At the same time, Zambia’s unsurfaced roads take time to dry out, making road travel difficult during May inside and outside of national parks.

If you’re thinking of Zambia in April or May, it’s therefore best to consider a one-centre holiday.

Zambia from June to October: peak season in Zambia

June is a great month to visit Zambia. The country’s rivers are still in full flow and landscapes beautifully lush, but travel becomes a lot easier. You’ll also have a lot more choice when it comes to where to stay.

The months of July to the beginning of October hold the promise of long days on safari whether you opt for South Luangwa, Kafue, Liuwa Plain, or Mosi-oa-Tunya national parks. I think it’s also the best time to visit Victoria Falls, since the reduced spray makes it much easier to enjoy.

If there’s a downside, it’s that as Zambia’s dry season, June to October are also peak season months with the top pricing kicking in. Just note that October in particular gets very hot.

Zambia in November and December: best for bats

November is the start of the rainy season in Zambia. However, you’ll still have a couple of weeks at the beginning of the month before the rains break, and even then, November’s rains aren’t anywhere near as bad as those of January and February.

November is another month known for its birdwatching, although November is also the month of the largest mammalian migration on Earth as eight million straw-coloured fruit bats descend on remote Kasanka National Park.

The best time to visit Zambia

The best time to visit Zambia is right now. The authorities dropped visa fees for citizens of most tourist nations as of the end of 2022. Nor do you need to apply for a visa in advance, significantly simplifying the process of a safari in Zambia.