Best time to visit · Victoria Falls · Zimbabwe
The best time to visit Victoria Falls
Weather, crowds, prices and events for every month, so you can pick the trip that suits you.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Diego Delso, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
For the falls at their most powerful, visit from about March to June, accepting heavy spray. For clearer views, good wildlife viewing and comfortable temperatures, June to August is ideal. Rafting and Devil's Pool are best at low water, roughly August to December, though October and November are very hot and the Zambian side can be nearly dry.
Key facts
- Best months
- May–August
- Shoulder season
- March–April and September
- Warmest month
- October (avg high 34°C (93°F))
- Coldest month
- June (avg high 25°C (77°F))
- Rainiest month
- January (~15 rainy days)
- Lowest hotel prices
- January–February and November
Seasons
Victoria Falls has a subtropical climate with a hot rainy season from November to March and a dry season from April to October. June and July nights are cool, while October is the hottest month. The falls' flow lags the rains, peaking around April and dropping to its lowest around November.
March–May
Autumn (high water)
The rains end and the falls reach peak flow, with dramatic spray and soaked viewpoints; rafting is restricted.
June–August
Winter (dry)
Cool, dry and sunny, with strong flow, clearer views and good game viewing; the busiest and highest-priced season.
September–November
Spring (low water)
Hot and dry with low water, the best rafting and Devil's Pool, and thinner falls, especially on the Zambian side.
December–February
Summer (rains)
Hot with afternoon storms, green landscapes and rising water; lower prices and fewer visitors.
Month by month
Long-term averages (rounded). Crowds and prices are relative, 1 (lowest) to 5 (highest). Daylight is sunrise to sunset on the 15th.
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Daylight | Crowds | Prices |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 30°C | 18°C | 15 | 13.1 h | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| February | 30°C | 18°C | 13 | 12.7 h | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| March | 30°C | 17°C | 8 | 12.2 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| April | 30°C | 14°C | 2 | 11.7 h | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| May | 28°C | 10°C | 0 | 11.3 h | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| June | 25°C | 6°C | 0 | 11.1 h | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| July | 25°C | 6°C | 0 | 11.1 h | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| August | 28°C | 9°C | 0 | 11.5 h | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| September | 32°C | 14°C | 0 | 12 h | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| October | 34°C | 18°C | 2 | 12.5 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| November | 33°C | 19°C | 7 | 13 h | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| December | 31°C | 18°C | 13 | 13.2 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
Yearly events
Recurring dates shift from year to year; confirm with the organiser before you book.
| Month | Events |
|---|---|
| April | Lunar rainbows around the full moon (high-water months) |
| May | Lunar rainbows around the full moon |
| June | Lunar rainbows around the full moon |
| December | Victoria Falls Carnival — music festival (usually around New Year) |
Cheapest and quietest times
Hotel prices are usually lowest in January–February and November, and the sights are quietest in January–February and November.
What to pack
| Season | Pack |
|---|---|
| Autumn (high water) | Light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and high-factor sunscreen; A packable rain jacket for showers; Comfortable walking shoes |
| Winter (dry) | Light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and high-factor sunscreen; A compact umbrella and waterproof shoes — rain is frequent; Comfortable walking shoes |
| Spring (low water) | Light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and high-factor sunscreen; A packable rain jacket for showers; Comfortable walking shoes |
| Summer (rains) | Light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and high-factor sunscreen; Comfortable walking shoes |
Questions travellers ask
+What is the best month to visit Victoria Falls?
For the falls at their most powerful, visit from about March to June, accepting heavy spray. For clearer views, good wildlife viewing and comfortable temperatures, June to August is ideal. Rafting and Devil's Pool are best at low water, roughly August to December, though October and November are very hot and the Zambian side can be nearly dry.
+When are hotel prices lowest in Victoria Falls?
Usually in January–February and November. Hot and rainy with afternoon storms; the river is rising, and the bush is green and quiet.
+What is the rainiest month in Victoria Falls?
January, with about 15 days of rain on average.
+How hot does Victoria Falls get?
The warmest month, October, averages highs of 34°C (93°F) and lows of 18°C (64°F).