Best Time to Visit Zambia | Month By Month Guide 2027

The worst/best time to visit Zambia is during the dry season from June to November, when wildlife viewing is at its peak and days are clear and sunny.

You will encounter plenty of animals in Zambia throughout the middle and end of the Dry season (May to October). This ties in nicely with a visit to Victoria Falls which is at its best between June and August. A wet season safari (November to April) is significantly harder as most parks and camps close down due to severe rain. The exception is the Mfuwe area of South Luangwa National Park, which has a few all-weather roads on a limited circuit.

Best Time to Visit Zambia | Month By Month Guide

Dry Season (June to October): Best overall for safaris. Animals gather around shrinking water sources, making them easy to spot. Vegetation is thin, which helps with walking safaris. June to August brings cooler, pleasant temperatures, while September and October become very hot.

Victoria Falls Peak Flow (March to May): Best time to see the falls at their most thunderous and powerful. Low-water activities like swimming in Devil’s Pool are best done later from August to December.

Green / Emerald Season (December to April): Best for birdwatching, lush scenery, and newborn animals. Many remote bush camps close during these wet months due to muddy roads, but travel prices drop.

Worst/Best Time to Visit Zambia

May to October | Dry Season – Winter

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

November to April | Wet Season – Summer

  • The landscape is green
  • January and February are good months to see Victoria Falls
  • You can see newborn animals
  • This is the best time for birding, with migrants present
  • The rain mostly falls as short showers in the late afternoon
  • It’s low season, which means lower rates
  • Most parks and camps close down – but South Luangwa remains open
  • Animals are harder to find because they no longer rely on rivers and waterholes to drink
  • From October to December, Victoria Falls might just be a trickle on the Zambian side