The landlocked country of Zambiain southern Africa is bordered by an impressive eight countries – Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Malawi, Tanzania, Democratic Republic of Congo, Angola, Namibia and Botswana. The majority of Zambia is covered by plateau, which tempers the temperatures throughout the country.
During the wet summer season (November to April), the weather can be muggy and hot, and in some remote areas, the rainfall can make travelling difficult. Ideally, to get the best out of your wildlife safari, May to October is the best time to travel to Zambia, during the dry months when the temperatures are pleasant and access is good. At the end of the dry season, the temperatures increase and it can be very hot in October in some places, before the rains arrive.
In order to plan a trip to Zambia, you need to know the best time to visit the specific safari destinations spread throughout the country. We’ll start by sharing the best time to visit Zambia’s five popular safari destinations.
The table below denotes the best months to visit some of Zambia’s popular safari spots.
| National Park/Game Reserve | Best time to visit Zambia |
|---|---|
| Blue Lagoon National Park | November to April |
| Kafue National Park | July to October |
| Kasanka National Park | July to October |
| Lower Zambezi National Park | May to November |
| South Luangwa National Park | July to October |
April to May is the end of the rainy season and these months offer visitors a chance to explore Zambia’s verdant vegetation which is lush after the rains. The thicker vegetation and replenished water sources does lessen the chances of spotting wildlife, so it’s not ideal month for avid wildlife spotters but it’s the very best time for birders as well as the most scenically beautiful time of year. Head to Blue Lagoon National Park, a birding paradise.
April to May is the flood season for the Zambezi river and therefore a great time to visit Victoria Falls, which has the highest volume of water after the rainy season. Visitors should be cautious walking along the slippery pathways and you will get wet on the walk from all the spray! The view is of the Victoria Falls plunging into the gorge is magnificent, with huge amounts of spray creating rainbows when the sun is shining.
June and August are also great times to see the Victoria Falls as there is less spray but it’s still an awesome sight. From September to November the falls are at their lowest level and can be completely dry in some parts on the Zambian side, leaving behind dry rock walls. September to November is a good time for white-water rafting, which takes place on the rapids below the Victoria Falls, during these low water months.
From June to August, the vegetation starts drying out, making it the best time to view Zambia’s wildlife. During these months, visitors can plan a trip to the South Luangwa National Park, Lower Zambezi National Park or Kafue National Park, which all offer excellent game viewing experiences. In addition, South Luangwa National Park is known for its walking safaris, while Lower Zambezi National Park offers fishing experiences, canoe trips and river cruises along the Zambezi River.
September and October also offer good wildlife viewing opportunities. In September, birdwatchers can head over to the banks of the Zambezi River to spot the colourful conflagration of carmine bee-eaters that arrive and nest on the river banks. The temperatures spike in October, so the ideal time for game viewing is either early morning or late in the evenings.
November to March is the rainy summer season throughout Zambia. The rainfall replenishes the park’s water sources, which makes the animals spread out to the far corner of the national parks. They are also hidden by the growing vegetation, making them harder to spot. The rains can make roads impassable in remote areas and some safari camps are closed during these months.
October to December offers visitors one of the world’s greatest spectacles in Zambia, the Great Bat Migration – the world’s largest mammal migration. Around eight million straw-coloured fruit bats arrive at Zambia’s Kasanka National Park from the Congo.
November to April are the best months for birdwatching and to experience both Zambia’s resident birdlife and migratory species. During these months, migratory birds fly to Zambia’s renowned birding destinations such as Bangweulu Wetlands, Chimfunshi Wildlife Orphanage, Ishiba Ng’andu Nature Reserve, Lochinvar National Park, Nkanga River Conservation Area, Nyika National Park, and South Luangwa National Park.
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