This is a question that gets asked a lot, and quite simply the answer is based entirely on what you wish to get out of the experience. Some people come to Victoria Falls to get some peace and quiet from the hustle and bustle of their day to day lives. Others want to marvel at the world famous waterfall whilst some have their visit included in a greater, multi destination safari.
No matter what your reasoning, more often than not, a big deciding factor is going to be the season. The seasons have such a major bearing on what to expect in terms of animals sightings and the level of the Falls. Being based in Southern Africa, the Victoria Falls area has very distinct seasons each having their own pros and cons when it comes to visiting the area. One thing that you can be sure of is that should you visit at the peak of the two major seasons, it will be like visiting completely different areas. The changes are that extreme!
So in the article, we are going to break down the pros and cons of what to expect in the different season, helping you decide the best month to visit Victoria Falls.
The Rainy Season – December through February
These few months of the year are Southern Africa’s peak rainy season. Lush new growth surrounds you with baby animals popping up at every turn. Birds are in their breeding plumage, brightly colored displaying on the wing or calling loudly from the tree tops. This is the bountiful time of year for nature and it surely makes the most of it.
Regular thunderstorms burst into effect in the afternoons or early evenings. These are loud violent affairs that usually last no more than an hour. Dramatic in their appearance, especially at night where you can see the full effect of the lighting cutting open the sky, followed by a crack of thunder rolling off in the distance.
Rivers swell and burst their banks flowing into the mighty Zambezi River. This turns the water brown as it mixes with a years’ worth of dust and silt. These life giving waters lift the level of the river, which in turn increases the volume of water going over the falls.
Pros of visiting Victoria Falls during these months.
- Its considered quiet time for tourism. Whilst you will not be alone, there are far less people around in this period than in traditional peak season. This offers a lot more privacy and personal attention in your lodge and out on activities.
- It’s Christmas and New Year, both are celebrated well in Victoria Falls. Plus, it’s always a memorable festive season when its abroad.
- Being the quiet period, one can often get good deals on accommodation and activities. A lot of camps and lodges offer a green season discount. Aimed and encouraging people to travel during the more quiet times.
- You will witness the African bush at its best, lush green vegetation, baby booms amongst the animals and electric thunderstorms like nowhere else in the world. World cannot describe the sights and smells of the African bush after a massive storm.
- It’s one of the best times to visit the Victoria Falls waterfall. The river is rising and the volume is increasing, but you get the best viewing opportunities during these months.
Cons of visiting Victoria Falls during these months.
- Some of the camps and lodges use this time of year to close for renovations. Whilst there is a multitude of places to stay, your first choice may be closed for the quiet season.
- Whilst the thunderstorms are certainly a spectacle to behold, the rain can also be a damper on your plans, especially outdoor plans. Storms generally only last an hour or two, but there are also times during these months where there can be several days of rain. If this happens to be during your 3 or 4 day visit, it could greatly affect you activity plans.
- These months are not great for game viewing. Whilst animals are enjoying the lush vegetation and new growth, the thick bush makes it very difficult to see animals. There are lots of hiding places. Further to that, with the constant rain and fresh food around, animals are able to venture much further away from typical game drive routes.
- Certain areas get closed off during the rainy season. This is particularly due to the roads and the high risk of getting stuck and damaging the ecosystems within them.
Autumn time – March through May
The next few months are what would be considered our autumn. The rains are subsiding, with a few showers in March and April. With the disappearing of the rain, the vegetation begins to change. The lack of water causes plants to lose their leaves and begin their dormancy stage in over the next few months.
Temperatures are very pleasant during this months, gradually getting cooler in the lead up to winter. The nights are clear, and probably one of the best times of year for star gazing. With there still being some moisture in the ground, the dust levels are low, creating the clear sky’s for these months.
Interestingly, the autumn months are when the Zambezi River is at its highest, and the Victoria Falls Waterfall is flowing with its greatest volume, as much as 300,000 gallons per second. The reason for this is that it takes several months for the flood waters to reach the falls from up north in Angola. The river is at its highest in the months of May-June.
Pros of visiting Victoria Falls during these months.
- These months present the most pleasant time of the year in terms of temperature and humidity. Being a tropical destination the seasonal extremes can be quite dramatic and so having this window of a few months is very beneficial for many.
- It’s a relatively popular time to travel, meaning that you will likely meet new people from all over the world, but also not so busy and overcrowded.
- Being the end of the rainy season, the chances of having your itineraries disrupted by storms are unlikely during these months.
- The Victoria Falls waterfall is at its highest and therefore at its most spectacular during these months. If you want to see the World’s largest waterfall in all its splendor then these are the months to travel to Victoria Falls.
- These are some of the best months for birding in Victoria Falls. Migrant species are still around and all species are in their bright breeding plumage.
Cons of visiting Victoria Falls during these months.
- The Victoria Falls waterfall is at its highest. Whilst this has also be placed as a pro, it can also be a con and depends entirely on the experience you are after. The reason we have suggested that this may also be a con is because the volume of water falling over the falls is so high that the spray throw up blocks the view of the actual waterfall in several of the viewing spots.
- With the spray being so intense during these months means that any visit to the waterfall will result in getting drenched. Whilst this is an incredibly unique situation, it is not for everyone and makes it very challenging to operate electrical devices such as cameras and phones.
- Several popular activities such as White Water Rafting and Devils Pool are closed during these months. This is due to safety and the sheer power of the Zambezi River at its high water level. The period these activities are closed varies greatly year to year and depends entirely on the level of rainfall experienced.
- As with the previous period, there is the likelihood that plans may be changed due to unexpected thunder storms. This can be particularly challenging for those on a tight itinerary and only have a very short period of time in Victoria Falls.
Winter Months – June through August
When one thinks of Africa they do not associate it with warm clothing and freezing temperatures. But be warned, Africa gets surprisingly colder than expected, and Victoria Falls is no exception. Especially during these winter months.
The extremes are one of the more challenging aspects to come to grips with. Temperatures can reach high 20’s and even low 30’s during the day, but can drop below 0, especially in the early mornings.
Whilst these months are cold, they do also represent the start of our dry season. No rain is expected, and with the heat of the day the bush begins to dry our very quickly. This means that game viewing gets better and better as the month progress.
The Zambezi River also crests its peak and starts its cycle of dropping. With May/June being the high water period, every month after this sees the river dropping as the millions of gallons of water plunge over the Victoria Falls.
These months also represent the peak travel season and when the region expects high volumes of travelers.
Pros of visiting Victoria Falls during these months.
- The dry season technically begins during these months, with the bush drying out and thinning. This makes it easier to see wildlife and a better safari experience. As the natural water starts to fade, the animals being to congregate around the man made waterholes. A highlight being the return of large herds of elephants. Always a treat for safari goers.
- The Victoria Falls waterfall is also very spectacular during these months. At the beginning of the period (June) the river is still considered at its highest and therefore the waterfall at its most spectacular, but the levels drop quite drastically in the months that follow.
- August represents one of the best months to visit Victoria Falls as the volume of water falling is still impressive, but the level of spray is not so much that you can’t see the waterfall and is not too uncomfortable.
- All seasonal camps are now open during these months meaning that all lodge and hotel options are open and available.
- These months represent the period of the year when having wildlife in town becomes a reality. It’s very common to have elephant, hippo, buffalo and even occasionally lion roaming the streets. This usually happens in the dead of night, but is one of the more unique aspects of Victoria Falls.
Cons of visiting Victoria Falls during these months.
- The temperature extremes can take some getting used to. Your early morning game drive will see you dressed for the Alps, wrapped in a blanket. But by the time you return a few hours later, you are in shorts and a T-shirt with a pile of clothes beside you.
- Being busy season means that booking accommodation in advance is essential. Some lodges and hotels in Victoria Falls have a several year waiting list for these months of the year.
- Experiences and activities are far less personable. It’s not uncommon to have several hundred people a day visiting the waterfall during this period. Whilst this may not bother some people, for those that don’t enjoy crowds and prefer their own company and space, these months may be challenging for you.
- Because it is busy season, these is far less flexibility on prices. During the rest of the year activity and lodge owners may be prepared to offer discounts and packages, during these months, the rates are often increased.
The Dry Season – September through November
As mentioned above, Africa is full of extremes. In just a few short months, conditions go from being cold and sometimes freezing, to excessive heat, at times exceeding 45 degrees Celsius.
These months represent some of the harshest times in the African bush and Victoria Falls is no exception. With no raining having fallen for several months, most of the vegetation has lost their leaves, and once lush grasslands are now dust patches.
October is the most extreme month in this period, and is often referred to as suicide month as temperatures can get unbearable. Fortunately, being a tourist destination, Victoria Falls is well equipped to combat the heat of this period. Air-conditioning, swimming pools and ice cold drinks are the order of the day during these months.
Whilst these months sound harsh, they are by far the best times to be on safari. Wildlife congregate around the only waterholes that still contain water during these months. It’s not uncommon to see several hundred elephants decent on a single water point, or several thousand buffalo kick up a dust storm as they search out their next meal.
With little body to the vegetation, visibility is at an all-time high and even the elusive predators are more commonly seen during these months.
Given the extended period without rain, and the continual flow of water over the waterfall, the Zambezi River drops significantly during these months. This has a drastic effect on the waterfall, with vast sections of it drying up leaving bare exposed rock. Whilst this is completely natural, and is a yearly cycle, it is certainly not the period of time when the mighty Victoria Falls is at its peak.
Pros of visiting Victoria Falls during these months
- Unparalleled game viewing and wildlife encounters. As already mention, these months offer incredible safari opportunities. This is evident in the fact that documentary film crews can often be seen driving around with their kitted out 4×4 vehicles during this period.
- Like August, September is one of the best months to view Victoria Falls. Whilst the volume of water is not as great, it is still very impressive and lives up to its name as a natural wonder. This changes drastically and quickly over the following two months as temperatures begin to climb.
- These months offer some of the best times to enjoy river activities such as canoeing and white water rafting. With the water level much lower, it is far safer with the river moving between exposed rock shelfs instead of tumbling over them.
- The Zambezi River is also far more picturesque during these months. The exposed rocks the make up the river bed provide texture and context to the rapidly flowing water. A big contrast to high water periods when the river is just a swollen mass of churning water.
Cons of visiting Victoria Falls during these months
- The heat can take some getting used to and can be somewhat unbearable for some. Your mid days are often spent in the comfort of your air-conditioned room, or in the shade of a cold swimming pool trying to escape the dry, sapping heat.
- The Victoria Falls waterfall is far from its world wonder status during these months. Whilst the sight is still impressive, the curtain of water is a fraction of what it is during the dry season. If your purpose for visiting the Victoria Falls is to see the waterfall in all its glory, these are probably not the best months to do it.
- The animals around town are a major attraction and certainly a plus, but it does require a large amount of responsibility on behalf of the traveler. You need to have your wits about you and respect the animals for the danger they can be. Sadly, the complacency of seeing such incredible creatures almost mingling with people has resulted in unfortunate accidents in the past. Respect the Wildlife during this time of year.
- It is also worth mentioning that these month represent the most difficult time of year for animals. Due to the toughness of the environment during these months animals can often not look their greatest. It’s not uncommon to come across fatalities of animals that have just not been able to make it through these difficult months. Whilst this is the circle of life, it can be difficult to experience.
Final Thoughts
At the end of the day, the Best Month to Visit Victoria Falls is entirely determined by what you wish to get out of the experience. If you wish to see the mighty waterfall in all its splendor, then a month during the high water cycle is the best. If your desire is to have the best game viewing opportunities possible, then choose a month during the dry season. Those looking for a less crowded, more budget friendly experience, best to travel during the rainy season when there are far less people and more opportunity to negotiate.
One thing that we can guarantee, no matter what month you choose to visit Victoria Falls, it will be a life changing experience and will leave you with memories for a lifetime.