Best Time To Visit Zimbabwe

Travelling to Zimbabwe from May to September – Best time to visit

Travelling to Zimbabwe from May to October (Dry Season) – Best time for wildlife game viewing

Travelling to Zimbabwe from May to September – Best time to see Victoria falls- water is mid-to-low and water spray does not block fall views

Best Weather – April, May and September

Travelling for Zimbabwe safari in January?

Zimbabwe in January falls in the middle of the wet season, and signals the start of the rainy month, where days are wet with thunderstorms common in the afternoons making wildlife is harder to spot at this time of year in the dense bush, but you can take advantage of lower safari prices and fewer crowds – keeping in mind that this is low-water season for Victoria Falls, and birdwatching is excellent during this time.

Travelling for Zimbabwe safari in February?

Zimbabwe in February also marks the wettest month, characterized by short but often dramatic afternoon thunderstorms. Nights and mornings are warm at around 18°C/64°F. With the rains arriving in this time of the month, the water level of the Zambezi River is high, which means that Victoria Falls is in full flow but due to the amount of mist and spray, it may interfere with views of this UNESCO World Heritage site. That said, if you do decide to visit then, consider helicopter flights to Victoria Falls or a microlight flight to truly appreciate the sheer size of the Falls.

Travelling for Zimbabwe safari in March?

If you’re to visit Zimbabwe in March, it’s hot, humid and rainy in with frequent afternoon thundershowers; these are usually short bursts that last a few hours. This is probably not an ideal time to visit Zimbabwe.

Water levels are perfect for viewing of Victoria Falls, especially seeing the gorges that surround this UNESCO World Heritage attraction as well as the famous spray rainbows. Combine this with the rocky outcrops in the Matopo Hills, an area located in Matobo National Park. Within this beautiful scenery, one can find gigantic caves decorated with ancient Khoekhoe paintings, bearing testimony to the colonial and rich cultural heritage of the region.

Travelling for Zimbabwe safari in April?

When planning to visit Zimbabwe in April, most of the rain is gone, leaving a lush greenery setting across the game parks, which is starting to dry out; especially in southerly and higher locations, the night-time temperatures start to drop. Although it is high season, the parks won’t be crowded, except for Victoria Falls.

Mana Pools National Park, famous for walking safaris in Zimbabwe re-opens during this time as the day looks more clear and brighter although at the beginning of the month, it can be an unpredictable so it’s best to pack lots of layers and waterproof clothing since there might be fewer rain showers and general cooling of temperatures.

Travelling for Zimbabwe safari in May?

Zimbabwe in May through August tends to be a bit cooler (night temperatures can drop into the low 40s); same as April the landscape is still looking lush and green as the visibility in the bush starts to improve. The country is experiencing warm and pleasant temperatures during this time of the year.

If you want to see Victoria Falls when the water is still high and have a good safari, then you should aim for May. May is considered peak season in Zimbabwe and safari prices will be higher, so it’s best to book up to a year in advance for your safaris in Zimbabwe.

Travelling for Zimbabwe safari in June?

Zimbabwe in June, the weather turns colder at night as the winter sets in. Be sure to pack warm clothes because early morning game drives in open safari vehicles will be chilly, given the average morning temperature is 6°C/43°F while the afternoons are more pleasant with temperatures at around 25°C/77°F making the park abit warmer.

June in Zimbabwe is considered the best time for a safari because game viewing is spectacular in the dry season as it marks the return of the wildlife to natural waterholes in Hwange National Park and this is the perfect time to take on photographic safaris in Zimbabwe since huge number of herds gather at lakes, rivers and man-made waterholes to quench their thirst. June is where to go in Zimbabwe for rhino tracking at Matobo National Park, whereas for the elephant lovers Hwange National Park is the place you want to be.

Travelling for Zimbabwe safari in July?

Zimbabwe in July is no different from June, the average morning temperature is 6°C/43°F while the afternoons are more pleasant with temperatures at around 25°C/77°F whereby, nights can be close to freezing, but during the day it warms up quickly.

Visiting Zimbabwe in July is the first month of the peak season, wildlife sightings is excellent, and it’s a great time to do white-water rafting and experience Zimbabwe canoe safaris before the parks get busier over the holiday period.

Travelling for Zimbabwe safari in August?

Zimbabwe in August experiences sunny days with daytime temperatures mild – dramatically dropping down to below 10C at night, with wildlife viewing being at its prime.

August is a clear and dry month with barely any clouds in the sky, an ideal Zimbabwe climate for wildlife safari sightings without the interruption of rain. The camps in the game parks remain full during this time, given August is the heart of the dry season and the best month for a Zimbabwe safari.

This is also regarded as the best time to go white-water rafting at Victoria Falls. Zambezi National Park and Mana Pools National Park are two popular places that offer the canoeing safaris. During this time, canoe safaris are great ways to see hippos, elephants, and aquatic birds in Zimbabwe.

Travelling for Zimbabwe safari in September?

Zimbabwe in late September welcomes the arrival of Migrant birds, another dry month and the landscape scenery can look harsh and very dry during this time, but game viewing is made easy since the vegetation is thin, and animals are gathering at the limited water sources.

The days are bright and clear, with barely a cloud in the sky. This is also time for the annual game count in Hwange National Park is a big event on Zimbabwe’s calendar and gives the travelers visiting Zimbabwe one in a lifetime  opportunity to Join the local Hwange rangers as they visit the water holes to count the number of animals passing through.

Travelling for Zimbabwe safari in October?

Visiting Zimbabwe in October is the hottest month of the year, with day time temperatures sometimes climaxing above 40C. Wildlife sightings are still good for anyone visiting Zimbabwe in October before calling it ends to the dry season.

Travelling for Zimbabwe safari in November?

Zimbabwe in November is an unpredictable month – can be hot and dry and also can be the start of the rainy season, thus the climate very unpredictable. Although at the beginning, the dryness and intense heat of October could carry on into this month, if the rains arrive ‘on time’, it can be very wet. It’s a good month for birdwatching as the migratory birds arrive with the rains.

Travelling for Zimbabwe safari in December?

Zimbabwe in December is the wettest month, characterized by short but often dramatic afternoon thunderstorms. Nights and mornings are warm at around 18°C/64°F with plenty of summer rain, greenly lush landscapes, it’s a great time for birdwatching.

During this safari month, keep Victoria Falls out of your list of things to do in Zimbabwe. It’s not the best time to visit for wildlife viewing, and Mana Pools National Park as well as roads in some other parks might be closed. The only benefit of visiting Zimbabwe over this period is that most of the safari lodges in Zimbabwe and game parks are less crowded and offer best safari prices.