South Luangwa
Valley of the leopardMfuwe · Nsefu · the remote south
The birthplace of the walking safari, famous for leopards, oxbow lagoons and outstanding guiding.
Zambia · Plan
The Best Time to Visit Zambia
Zambia has something extraordinary in every month. Here’s how to choose yours.
Most people think of Zambia as a dry-season destination — and from June to October it is one of the finest safari countries in Africa. But some of its greatest spectacles happen in the green months: ten million bats, a forgotten wildebeest migration, and Victoria Falls at full roar.
The seasons
- Cool dry season, about May to August. Clear skies, warm days, cold nights. Camps open, the bush starts to thin and game viewing improves week by week.
- Hot dry season, about September to October. Peak game viewing, as animals gather around rivers and lagoons. Very hot, especially in the valleys.
- The emerald season, about November to April. Rains, mostly as afternoon storms, turn the country green. Many remote camps close, but this is the time of migrations, newborn animals, birds and lower prices.
Month by month
| Month | Safari | Victoria Falls | Special |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | Emerald season; some Luangwa lodges open, boat safaris | Rising | Liuwa wildebeest and calves; birding at its peak |
| Feb | Emerald season | Rising fast | Ncwala ceremony (Ngoni, Eastern Province), late February |
| Mar | Emerald season | Very high | Kuomboka ceremony (Lozi, Western Province), around March/April |
| Apr | Camps start reopening | Peak flow | Tiger fishing second window |
| May | Shoulder season, lush and quiet | Peak, heavy spray | Bangweulu shoebill and black lechwe season begins |
| Jun | Main season begins | High | Bangweulu shoebill; cool, clear days |
| Jul | Excellent | Falling | Busanga Plains (Kafue) open; Mutomboko ceremony (Lunda) |
| Aug | Excellent | Moderate; Devil’s Pool opens | Carmine bee-eaters nesting; Likumbi Lya Mize ceremony (Luvale) |
| Sep | Peak | Low; rafting at its best | Tiger fishing season |
| Oct | Peak, very hot | Lowest | Tiger fishing peak; first bats arrive at Kasanka |
| Nov | Rains begin; camps close | Lowest | Kasanka bat migration peak; Liuwa wildebeest arrive |
| Dec | Emerald season | Starting to rise | Kasanka bats; Liuwa calving season |
Ceremony dates are set each year by traditional authorities — check before you plan around one.
The dry season, June to October
The classic time for South Luangwa, the Lower Zambezi and Kafue, when walking and canoeing are at their best and bush camps are open. June and July are cooler and greener; September and October bring the densest wildlife and serious heat. The best camps fill early, so book 6 to 12 months ahead.
The emerald season, November to April
This is when Zambia’s great migrations happen. In Kasanka National Park, up to around ten million straw-coloured fruit bats arrive from about late October to December, peaking in November — often described as the largest mammal migration on earth. On the Liuwa Plain in the far west, tens of thousands of wildebeest gather with the rains from about November, making it Africa’s second-largest wildebeest migration, with spotted hyenas in pursuit. It is also the best time for birding everywhere. Read why the “off” months may be the best ones.
Victoria Falls through the year
The falls peak from about March to May, a thundering wall of water and spray. From about August to December the flow drops, revealing the gorge, opening Devil’s Pool and creating the best white-water rafting. See Victoria Falls from the Zambian side.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to visit Zambia?
For a classic safari, September is hard to beat for wildlife, while July offers cooler weather. For the Kasanka bats, go in November; for Victoria Falls at full flow, March to May.
Is Zambia worth visiting in the rainy season?
Yes, for the right trip. The emerald season brings the Kasanka bat migration, the Liuwa wildebeest migration, superb birding and lower prices, though many remote camps close.
When is the best time for Victoria Falls?
March to May for the most water; August to December for Devil’s Pool, clearer views of the gorge and the best rafting.
Keep reading
Where to go next
Livingstone & Victoria Falls
From LivingstoneMosi-oa-Tunya · Livingstone Island · Upper Zambezi
Mosi-oa-Tunya, the smoke that thunders — best experienced from Livingstone and the quiet upper Zambezi.
When to Go
Dry season, green season and the migration — month by month, country by country.
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