Month guide · Victoria Falls · Zimbabwe
Victoria Falls in May
What May is really like in Victoria Falls: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Harvey Barrison from Massapequa, NY, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0
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Quick answer
May is one of the best months to visit Victoria Falls. Expect average highs of 28°C (82°F), lows of 10°C (50°F), about 0 rainy days and roughly 11.3 hours of daylight. Dry, clear days and still huge volumes of water; one of the best months to see the falls at full power.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 28°C (82°F) / 10°C (50°F)
- Rainy days
- About 0
- Daylight
- About 11.3 hours
- Crowds
- Busy
- Hotel prices
- High
Weather in May
May is the 9th-warmest month in Victoria Falls: days average 28°C (82°F) against a yearly average high of 30°C (86°F), and nights fall to about 10°C (50°F). Rain falls on roughly 0 of its 31 days. Compared with April (30°C (86°F)), May is cooler; by June highs drop to around 25°C (77°F).
- Sunrise (15 May)
- About 06:34
- Sunset (15 May)
- About 17:51
- Daylight
- About 11.3 hours
Spring (low water) (September–November). Hot and dry with low water, the best rafting and Devil's Pool, and thinner falls, especially on the Zambian side.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, May rates 4 for crowds (the peak is July at 5) and 4 for hotel prices (highest in July). Book accommodation early: May is one of the pricier months.
Events in May
- Lunar rainbows around the full moon
Dates move from year to year. Check the organiser’s site before booking travel around an event.
What to do in May
Mild, settled days suit walking, viewpoints and time outdoors.
Experience · Livingstone riverfront (Zambia)
Devil's Pool and Livingstone Island
Trips run only in the low-water season and are weather dependent; at other times the island tour visits the lip of the falls without swimming.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Expensive
- Active
- Iconic
- Views
- Photo spot
Viewpoint · Livingstone riverfront (Zambia)
Knife-Edge Bridge (Zambia side)
Inside the Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park entrance on the Zambian side, a footbridge crosses a narrow ridge facing the Eastern Cataract and the Boiling Pot, deep in the spray at high water.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Views
- Nature
- Photo spot
Experience · Upper Zambezi riverfront
Upper Zambezi canoeing
Go in the morning, when the river is calm and wildlife is active, and follow the guide's line around hippos.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Expensive
- Active
- Nature
- Outdoors
- Couples
Experience · Upper Zambezi riverfront
Zambezi sunset cruise
Boats sail the calm upper Zambezi above the falls in the late afternoon, passing islands where hippos, crocodiles, elephants and many birds are often seen, with drinks and snacks on board as the sun sets over the river.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Iconic
- Couples
- Kids
- Nature
- Photo spot
What to pack
For highs near 28°C, lows near 10°C and 0 wet days: light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and high-factor sunscreen; comfortable walking shoes.
Is May a good time to visit Victoria Falls?
One of the best months to visit Victoria Falls, with a notable event on the calendar. The other best months are June–August. Compare every month.
Victoria Falls in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is May a good time to visit Victoria Falls?
It is one of the best months to visit Victoria Falls. Dry, clear days and still huge volumes of water; one of the best months to see the falls at full power.
+How warm is Victoria Falls in May?
Average highs are around 28°C (82°F) and lows around 10°C (50°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Victoria Falls in May?
Expect rain on about 0 days of the month, so it is usually dry.