Witnessing the vast sheet of water tumbling—for what seems to be eternity—and hearing the tremendous, deafening roar that is the iconic Victoria Falls is something everyone should experience at least once in their life. You can visit from either the Zambian side or the Zimbabwean side. But one question remains: when is the best time to visit Victoria Falls?
It’s often debatable and a matter of opinion when the best time to witness the spectacle of Victoria Falls is. Our Africa Travel Specialist and Team Leader, Kirsty, saw them in April at high water levels and was speechless by just how powerful they really are, though the rebounding spray can be tricky for photography in the high-water months. So, allow us to help you decide.
Water levels vary annually due to upstream rainfall in Angola, so the following is indicative.
When is the best time to visit Victoria Falls?
In this article:
– Seasons in Victoria Falls Guide
– Month-by-Month Guide to Victoria Falls’ Weather Conditions
– Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Seasons in Victoria Falls Guide
– High-water season: February—July
– Low-water season: August—January
High-Water Season in Victoria Falls
February—July
Best time to visit Victoria Falls for:
– seeing the falls at peak power
– exploring mist-fed rainforests
– flying over for dramatic views
To see the falls at their fullest, visit anytime during the peak tourist season, February to July.
As a rainbow forms magically over the horizon, feel the refreshing spritz of water cool you down from the heat of the beaming sun. Plus, if you’re lucky enough, you may even get to enjoy the magic of a double rainbow! It’s fitting that this part of the world sees many instances of this beautiful natural phenomenon. Victoria Falls is such an impressive, striking visual that it only warrants a cherry on top of its proverbial cake. And due to this season's high-water levels and the consistent mist that creates a rainbow, you’ll likely experience that perfect image you see across the internet – especially when visiting on bright mornings or late afternoons.
One way of enjoying this mighty spectacle in all its glory is with our Highlights of Zimbabwe sample itinerary, which places you at the foot of the falls right at the beginning of your trip. Three nights here allow you to explore however which way you want, by helicopter, boat or cruise, before moving onto Hwange National Park to seek out lion, buffalo, zebra and more.
Low-Water Season in Victoria Falls
August—January
Best time to visit Victoria Falls for:
– visiting the Devil’s Pool safely
– rafting in the Zambezi River
– enjoying clearer, less misty views
The second half of the year sees a reduction in water flow level, yet you can still enjoy exploring the Victoria Falls area. If you travel earlier or later in the season, you have more of a chance of seeing the falls when they’re fuller; around October and November, they’re at their lowest.
Additional activities include gentle sunset cruises, as the low water levels allow for safer access along the Zambezi River. Watching the colours shift to fiery reds and oranges as the fiery ball in the sky dips below the horizon, with a cold beverage in hand, is the perfect way to end your day.
Once the water levels have dropped to a safe level in the dry season, thrill-seekers can also experience swimming in Devil’s Pool right at the edge of the waterfall and take a peek down into the vast gorge below – a truly exhilarating and memorable experience.
To tailor the entire experience to your liking, speak with one of our Travel Specialists.
“Why not book an amazing sunrise cruise with breakfast included on the mighty Zambezi? The river is quieter at this time of day; plus, there are very many cruise boats now operating during the busy sunset period.” – Kirsty, Africa Travel Specialist & Team Leader
January
Hot, rainy season in full swing; rainy weather to be expected
Temperature: 30°C highs / 18°C lows
Humidity: 73%
Precipitation: 168mm
Are you looking to begin your year in style? Then why not enjoy a trip to the famed Victoria Falls?
January is part of the hot, rainy season (summer), with humid climate conditions throughout the month. Though it’s seen as more of a transitional month with rising water levels, you can still enjoy excellent photographic opportunities of the falls, as they cascade over the rockface like a flowing curtain of water. Since it’s not quite yet at the peak of its power, the cost of travel is lower than other times of the year, providing an excellent opportunity to visit.
February
Hot, rainy season continues; water levels rising
Temperature: 29°C highs / 18°C lows
Humidity: 77%
Precipitation: 126mm
Continuing through the summer, February sees weather similar to the previous month, only with water levels rising to their peak flow. This makes it one of the best times to visit Victoria Falls; you’ll get to bear witness to a natural performance to end all performances – the gushing cataract rushing and crushing all the way from the top of the basalt precipice to the depths of the mist-filled chasm below. All you have to do is bring yourself and a handy camera, then get ready to snap as many photographs as you can from any and all angles you can get into.
For more inspiring ideas on what to do on your trip, follow our Africa Travel Specialist, Kirsty, on her Botswana & Victoria Falls Safari Adventure. As well as viewing the falls in all their glory, the Kalahari, Okavango Delta and Chobe offer wonderful wildlife watching.
March
End of the hot, rainy season; peak water levels
Temperature: 30°C highs / 17°C lows
Humidity: 70%
Precipitation: 70mm
In March, you’ll avoid some of the rain but still experience hot and humid weather.
This is in addition to the water levels, which are at peak flow this time of the year. As you edge closer to the main event, the scale and impressiveness of this natural wonder become ever more apparent. You’ll hear the roar of the vast volume of water as it plummets into the gorge at a rate of 500 million litres per minute, creating clouds of mist above the mighty Zambezi.
April
Cooler transition period begins; rain showers to be expected
Temperature: 29°C highs / 14°C lows
Humidity: 60%
Precipitation: 24mm
There’s a transition to drier weather in April, although you should still expect some rain showers, and water levels are still at their peak fullness. As you’re now out of the rainy season, you should notice that the scenery around you has turned vibrant and lush. This is best experienced from high up on the ‘Flight of the Angels’ helicopter tour, giving you a completely new and different perspective than what you’ve experienced down on the ground. Gaze across the landscape at the contrast of the greens of the forest against the whites of the cascades and the blues of the Zambezi River.
May
Cooler transition period continues; water levels still high
Temperature: 27°C highs / 10°C lows
Humidity: 44%
Precipitation: 3mm
Bright, dry and warm – May is an excellent time to visit Victoria Falls.
Rainfall drops significantly less this month, with the cool season just around the corner. So, be sure to book your visit for this period, as it’s the last chance for you to enjoy the falls at their best. It’s also an excellent time to explore the nearby national parks, such as Hwange, where herds of elephants and buffalo are more likely to gather at the waterholes to hydrate in the heat of the day. There’s also thinning vegetation, making them far easier to spot.
Our Magical Zimbabwe Safari sample itinerary begins in Hwange before moving into Victoria Falls, making it perfect for May. After enjoying game drives with expert guides bringing the bush to life with their stories, view the mighty plunging water at your own pace.
June
Cool, dry season begins; water flow levels start to decrease
Temperature: 25°C highs / 6°C lows
Humidity: 42%
Precipitation: 1mm
Now that the dry season has arrived, keep in mind that water levels are starting to decrease, but they’re still high, and there’s less spray obscuring your view. The weather’s a lot more pleasant, too, coming in handy for game viewing in the daytime. A short trip west towards Chobe National Park or beyond into Moremi or the Okavango Delta, treats you to some reliable wildlife sightings, which are teeming with everything from pods of hippo to large crocodiles and rich birdlife. Pay attention to predators like lions, which are more active in the cooler weather, searching for and hunting down their prey.
July
Cool, dry season continues; high to medium water flow
Temperature: 25°C highs / 6°C lows
Humidity: 39%
Precipitation: 0mm
Expect a high-to-medium flow in June, with weather conditions similar to those in June.
These mid-year months see the flow of water reduce, revealing more of the rock face; though this tends to affect the eastern Zambian side more than the western Zimbabwean side. You get more scenic, panoramic viewpoints in this part of the falls, which are ideal for excellent photographic opportunities. Cataract Island also becomes explorable from now until January, giving you the option of enjoying a breakfast or picnic lunch while marvelling at the beautiful falls for as long as you want.
August
End of the cool, dry season; great time for white water rafting
Temperature: 28°C highs / 8°C lows
Humidity: 32%
Precipitation: 0mm
Things start to heat up a little from here on out. Victoria Falls enjoys warm, sunny days and cool, clear nights in August, with a reduced water flow level and more rock wall exposure. It’s also a great time for white water rafting and, for the daring, a visit to Devil’s Pool. Your attention may be turned more towards the wildlife now that the falls are depleting. So, why not combine the Kafue, Lower Zambezi and South Luangwa regions in Zambia? Creatures here are fearless, often strolling right up to your safari vehicle and going about their daily business without a care.
To get a better sense of how this feels, discover our Africa Travel Specialist, Nikki’s bush-camp safari on her Getting Close to Nature in Zambia trip. From encountering wild dogs to observing big cats in their natural habitat, it was an adventure she’ll never forget.
September
Hot, dry season begins; lower water levels
Temperature: 32°C highs / 8°C lows
Humidity: 27%
Precipitation: 2mm
Exceeding the 30°C mark, September’s temperatures make it one of the driest months to visit.
Not only that, but the lower water levels may possibly lead to the eastern wall being completely bare. So, we suggest staying on the Zimbabwean side to make the most of your time here. Peering down towards the base of the falls, you should be able to see all the way down – and even make your way down should it be deemed safe to do so. Looking all the way up, you’ll get a sense of just how enormous this natural wonder really is, and its true rugged beauty.
October
Peak of the hot, dry season; lowest water flow of the year
Temperature: 33°C highs / 17°C lows
Humidity: 31%
Precipitation: 27mm
With rising temperatures and humidity, October is the hottest month of the year. There may be days when temperatures reach the high 30s, rainfall doesn’t drop as reliably, and wind speeds are low. So, it isn’t one of the best times to visit Victoria Falls. It’s also when water flow is lowest. That’s why we recommend making Victoria Falls less of a priority and instead focus on other areas of Zambia, Zimbabwe and Botswana. One such idea could be to seek out the large elephant herds of Hwange and Chobe, which are in search of water sources in their dozens.
November
Hot, rainy season begins; often sunny, but rain can occur
Temperature: 32°C highs / 18°C lows
Humidity: 47%
Precipitation: 64mm
As the dry season gives way to the rainy season, humidity levels rise and temperatures drop.
November is also similar to October in that it’s when the water levels are lowest, but you may also get to experience a thunderstorm. Watching the skies turn dark and lightning strike is intense, phenomenal and dramatic, transforming the green landscapes before your eyes. It can come as a relief from the hot conditions and is followed by the radiant sunshine. Plus, heading out with an expert guide can help you get to know the resident and migratory bird species.
Discover diverse birdlife and a plethora of predators, such as lions, cheetahs and wild dogs, in Hwange on our Zimbabwe Safari & Victoria Falls Adventure sample itinerary. It can be tailored to include a longer stay at the beginning and/or end of your time in the country.
December
Hot, rainy season continues; low water levels slowly rise
Temperature: 30°C highs / 18°C lows
Humidity: 68%
Precipitation: 174mm
The end of the year is when the rainy season truly kicks in. It’s hot, humid and there are some spectacular afternoon thunderstorms to be expected. Additionally, December is the ‘Emerald Season’—similar to November in that it’s good for birdwatching— and is one of the wettest months, helping raise the current low water levels once the rains come in. The falls themselves begin to fill up again, ready for the high-water period. So, if you’re not afraid to get a little wet, then now could be a good time for you to visit, especially with fewer crowds.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
When is the best time for wildlife viewing in Victoria Falls?
The best time to visit Victoria Falls for wildlife viewing is the dry season, from June to October. We take clients over to the nearest national park – Hwange, where waterholes are scarce in this period, making sightings of large elephant herds, buffalo, antelope and predators much easier.
What time of year are the falls at their clearest?
Victoria Falls is at its clearest from August to December, when water levels are lower. During the peak tourist season, the immense spray that emanates from the falls can reduce your visibility.
How many days do you need in Victoria Falls?
Typically, we include around three days in our sample itineraries for clients to experience everything they can. But this all depends on what you’d like to do during your trip to Zimbabwe, Zambia or Botswana. Speak with our Travel Specialists to tailor your perfect Victoria Falls trip.
Experience Victoria Falls with Rainbow
Ready to experience the thunderous power and beauty of Victoria Falls for yourself? Whether you’re dreaming of rainbow-filled vistas, thrilling safari adventures or serene sunset cruises, our Africa Travel Specialists will tailor the perfect journey around you. Speak to the team today and start planning your Victoria Falls visit with Rainbow.
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