Best time for a safari in Zambia

The best time to go to Zambia on safari is June to October. This is winter in the country and in most of its wildlife reserves, including Kafue National Park, winters are dry, drawing wildlife to water sources, making sightings easier and very rewarding. Additionally, cooler temperatures also mean more comfortable daytime game drives and fewer insects.

The opposite season, November to March, is summer in the southern hemisphere, which brings rain to many of Zambia’s safari areas, transforming the landscapes with lush greenery. Although some lodges in parts of South Luangwa National Park remain open during the summer rainy season, many close. This applies to Kafue National Park and its Busanga Plains area, with Wilderness’ camps here operational during the dry winter months when wildlife viewing is at its best.  

If you want to visit the Victoria Falls from the Zambian side, then they will be at their most dramatic from February to May, after the summer rains. While the curtain of water during this time is undoubtedly impressive, the mist can be so thick that it obscures some viewpoints and you'll almost certainly get soaked. June to August offers a good balance, with strong water flow, cooler temperatures and clearer views of the Falls. By September, through early December, water levels are much lower, revealing the gorge rock face. Activities such as swimming in Devil's Pool, which is only accessible from the Zambian side, typically operate from mid-August through December. Wildlife viewing in nearby Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park is often at its best during May to September when animals gather around available water sources, making sightings more reliable.

Zambia in February–May

February to May marks the end of the green season in Zambia. Summer rains begin to taper off, the rivers are full and woodlands are lush. Colourful migratory birds abound, wildflowers bloom and newborn animals stumble on their bandy legs. While game can be harder to spot among the dense vegetation, the scenery more than makes up for it, particularly for photographers. However, high water levels mean remote lodges, such as Wilderness’ camps in the Busanga Plains, pause operations during these months.

Victoria Falls reaches its peak flow at this time, and it is easy to see why they are given the name Mosi-oa-Tunya or ‘The Smoke That Thunders’. Expect to get wet while exploring the viewpoints on the Zambian side, and while the mist can obscure the view at times, the sheer power of the Falls is unforgettable. 

A visit to the Victoria Falls during these months can also be easily combined with a safari in nearby Hwange National Park in Zimbabwe, or any number of camps in Botswana’s Okavango Delta or Linyanti Wildlife Reserve, for a multi-country safari. This is an excellent time to see young antelope, and the birding is exceptional, with migratory species present, and breeding plumage adding colour to the bushveld.

June to August is one of the best times to visit Zambia. Days are warm and sunny, nights are cool, and virtually no rain falls. The comfortable temperatures also make game drives and walking safaris particularly enjoyable.

In Kafue National Park, the Busanga Plains are dry, drawing huge numbers of antelope onto the open grasslands. Lechwe, puku and wildebeest attract predators, creating excellent opportunities to see lions, cheetahs and leopards. 

Victoria Falls also remains spectacular throughout this period. Although water levels gradually begin to decline from their annual peak, the Falls still deliver impressive volumes of water while allowing much clearer views than earlier in the year. Cooler temperatures also make it pleasant to explore the network of walking trails around the falls without the intense summer heat.

This is one of Zambia's busiest travel periods, so booking accommodation and flights well in advance is recommended.

September and October deliver some of Zambia's most rewarding wildlife viewing. During these months water becomes scarce and animals concentrate around any water that remains, making sightings exceptionally reliable with predators active around the shrinking resources. Warmer temperatures also make extended night drives more comfortable and elephants are seen frequenting the areas around Busanga Plains.

The Victoria Falls present a very different experience from earlier in the year. Water levels are significantly lower, revealing much of the basalt cliff face behind the Falls and offering uninterrupted views into the gorge below, while the Falls themselves can still be viewed from the Zimbabwean side. This is one of the best seasons for Devil's Pool, the famous natural rock pool perched right on the edge of the Falls, which is only accessible from the Zambian side when river levels are safe. White-water rafting below the Falls, through Batoka Gorge, is also at its best as more of the rapids become exposed.

November to January marks Zambia's green season as the first rains transform the landscape after months of dry weather. Rivers begin to rise, afternoon thunderstorms become common and humidity increases. Migratory birds arrive from across Africa and Europe, and with many remote safari lodges, including Wilderness' camps on the Busanga Plains, closed during this time, the wild is left largely to itself, although conservation efforts in the area remain ongoing throughout this time.

Victoria Falls gradually builds towards its annual peak during these months. Water levels continue to rise as rainfall spreads across the Zambezi catchment. Devil's Pool usually closes once water levels become too high, but scenic flights over the Victoria Falls become increasingly spectacular as more water pours over the precipice.