When Is The Best Time Of Year For A Zambia Safari?

So you’ve decided to come to Zambia, but you’re not sure when the best time to come is? Typically the high season is between July and September, with these months having the best conditions for safaris and wildlife viewing. However, whilst safaris are the most popular reason for visiting Zambia, there are a host of other reasons why you may want to visit and what you want to get from your visit may affect the best time for your visit. We realise this, so we’ve put together this handy guide to help you decide when the best time to visit is for you!

Dry Season vs Rainy Season

Best Time To Visit Zambia – Dry Season/Safari Season

The dry season runs from May to October and is the best period to visit Zambia if the main reason for your visit is a safari, with the safari season being in full swing from July to September. With the dry season comes limited access to water, meaning wildlife congregate more at key water sources and making wildlife spotting that bit more predictable. The temperatures can also be a little cooler during the peak safari season, making it an ideal time for a walking safari, and with Zambia’s South Luangwa National Park being known as the “birthplace of the walking safari”, there’s no better place to experience one.

Rainy Season/Low Season

The rainy season runs from September to April and is typically also the low season for tourism. This is mainly due to the rain causing accessibility issues across the different national parks as well as wildlife locations being less predictable. This also leads to many of the safari camps closing during this season. However, there are still reasons to visit in the low season, including bird life, seeing Victoria Falls in peak flow and the largest mammal migration in the world.

Key Events In Zambia

Best For Birders

If you’re a birder, then January and February can be some of the best months to visit Zambia! Whilst it’s often called the wet season, it’s also known as the green season, with lush vegetation attracting migratory birds, making it an ideal time to spot some great bird life.

There’s also the Carmine Bee-eaters nesting season which is typically throughout September and is also a great time for Birders to visit. This is also during the dry season so it’s a great time to link this in with a more general safari too.

Best Time For Victoria Falls

Victoria Falls, one of the seven natural wonders of the world, sits on the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe and is another great reason to visit Zambia. But if you’re planning to see Victoria Falls, the time of year you visit can vastly change your experience. Throughout the rainy season is typically the best, with the rains helping to provide extra flow. With February to May being some of the best times to see the falls in full flow and at its most powerful. The falls are still a spectacle at other times of the year, but less so and the flow will typically be lowest towards the end of the dry season.

Carmine Bee-eaters Breeding Season

Known for their vibrant crimson plumage, Carmine bee-eaters are a true spectacle and we’re lucky that they choose the sandbanks of Zambia’s Luangwa Rivers as the ideal place to nest. And during their breeding/nesting season is one of the best times to see them. Typically September is the best month to visit for these and if you want to see these magnificent birds in the wild we’d highly recommend coming to Zambia in September for this.

Bat Migration – Largest Mammal Migration in the World!

Did you know that the largest mammal migration in the world happens in Zambia? In October and December, an estimated ten million straw-coloured fruit bats gather in Kasanka National Park. This is a true sight to behold and we believe should be on the bucket list of any wildlife enthusiast.

Zambia Month By Month

Zambia’s rainy season runs from November to April, with the dry season, which tends to be better for wildlife viewing, being from May to October. Typically the temperatures are fairly consistent throughout the year, but are slightly cooler in June, July and August which covers Zambia’s peak tourist season.