An overview of Zambia’s seasons
Zambia country has a sub-tropical climate with pleasant temperatures due to its high altitude. The temperatures average around 68°F in the highlands and around 75°F in the valleys. The cool, dry season, from May to August, is considered the best time to visit Zambia.
Best Time To Visit
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- The water flow over the Victoria Falls is high around this time – head here to marvel at the thundering waterfall with spray that can be seen from miles away!
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- The wet or green season is an excellent time for birdwatching, so depending on which parks are open during this time, you could head for a spot of birdwatching
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- If you are planning to visit Victoria Falls around this time, spend time in the charming city of Livingstone
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- View the magnificent Victoria Falls on a helicopter ride!
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- This is the start of the fishing season in Zambia, so why not try your hand at catching some fish?
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- Head to the remote Luambe National Park, which is rich in biodiversity
- This is the ideal time to visit Bangweulu to try and spot the rare shoebill stork
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- Explore the wilderness that is South Luangwa National Park on a walking safaris
- Relax with a river cruise on the Zambezi followed by a luxurious stay on a private island on the river
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- Explore the extensive landscapes, and encounter wildlife during your safari in Kafue National Park
- With the flow of the Zambezi river decreasing, August is a good month to go white-water rafting on the Zambezi!
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- Embark on a walking safari in the remote North Luangwa
- Marvel at the colorful southern-carmine bee-eaters that swarm Luangwa River at this time
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- Experience exciting wildlife safaris in the Lower Zambezi National Park
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- Hike or go horseback riding in Shiwa Ngandu, a beautiful lake surrounded by a hilly countryside
- Head to nearby Chusa Falls for rafting and birdwatching
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- December is excellent for birdwatching as the migratory birds return around this time!
Best time to visit Zambia by season
The cool, dry season, from May to August, is considered to be the best travel time for Zambia when temperatures are around 73°F. At night it gets relatively fresh, falling to about 42°F. The rivers and waterholes are filled by the rainy season and attract numerous wild animals. Particularly great animal observations are possible in June and August. Many roads to remote regions are only passable during the cool dry season. During the hot dry season, especially from October, the temperatures and also the humidity increase noticeably.
In mid-November, the rainy season begins, which is also called the Emerald Season or Green Season. During these hot, humid months, the country shines in green. Many remote areas can no longer be visited and some camps close. Nevertheless, this season has its own charm – and is wonderfully suited for bird watching.
The climate in Zambia is determined by three seasons.
Cool drying time: May – August
Hot dry season: September – November
Rainy season: December – April (South) / October – April (North)

What to Pack for Zambia
The season you travel to Zambia will determine what you need to pack. Based on the time you choose, here is a list of things you should ideally carry: Rain gear including waterproof jacket and shoes, mosquito repellent especially during the rainy season, light clothes for day time and a jacket for cooler evenings, layers of clothing including warm jacket / fleece or jumper, gloves, socks and a scarf, light cotton or linen clothing with natural colors, light shoes and sandals, sun hat, sunscreen, sunglasses, swimsuit, light jumper for cooler evenings, long sleeved shirts and long trousers are useful for protection from the sun during the day and mosquitoes at night.

Popular Trips to Zambia
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Tanzania, Botswana & Zambia: From Kilimanjaro to the Falls
This is the quintessential African safari vacation. The 15-day tour takes you across some of the continent’s best game reserves in Botswana, Tanzania and Zambia. Buckle up as you set out on the safari journey of your dreams, with stops at Arusha, Ngorongoro Plains, Northern Serengeti, Chobe National Park, Okavango Delta and more. Bask in…
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Tanzania, Kenya and Zambia: Safari and Waterfalls
Few things are as awe-inspiring as gazing at the majestic Victoria Falls or witnessing nocturnal life in the Masai Mara. You can experience all that and more on this 12-day tour of Tanzania, Kenya and Zambia. From natural wonders to diverse wildlife and rich culture, this all-encompassing vacation is sure to leave you spellbound. Watch…
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Botswana: Spectacular Water Worlds
This Zambia and Botswana trip takes you to the most spectacular water worlds in Africa. Start with Victoria Falls, which plummet for over a kilometer. Admire the falls from multiple viewpoints and then take a walking or biking tour to a nearby village. Continue on to Chobe National Park, where you can go on boat…
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Zambia: Victoria Falls and Safari Highlights
Discover an untamed wilderness in Africa’a adventure capital! Enjoy exhilarating adventure sports in Victoria Falls and a variety of aquatic and overland activities amid the floodplains, grasslands and forests of Lower Zambezi National Park. The highlight of your trip is your scintillating walking safaris in South Luangwa – armed with fantastic guides and scouts, experience the…
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Best Places To Visit
Things To Do
From the stunning Victoria Falls to scintillating wildlife safaris and incredible river cruises – Zambia is waiting to be discovered! Follow to this link for an overview on the top ten attractions, activities and highlights in Zambia.
Travel Guide
Zambia is a relatively non-commercial safari destination, where you can experience intimate little camps in beautiful and remote reserves. Before you travel, discover all essential details, from visas and currency to health information.
From the Blog
What Our Guests Say
What Our Guests Say
“Just got back from two weeks in Africa. What a great trip. The first week was on Safari seeing all the wild animals. The second was sightseeing in Zanzibar and then Victoria Falls. Alison Felfoldi and Ruth Mbugua were incredible in arranging all of the details. The Hotels were great the venues were fantastic the guides were knowledgeable and all of the pickups and drivers were prompt and courteous.”
February 2025 Rating 5/5
“Our travel coordinator, Jeniffer Korir, was fabulous with planning our trip. She listened carefully to what we were interested in and arranged travel, destinations, and activities that aligned with our interests. She did a great job matching our budget and interests to availability of activities, and the destination. She developed a thorough itinerary and advised us on all aspects of the trip down to the when and how much to tip. When our flight was canceled, Jeniffer proactively noticed it and made other arrangements, including adjusting all of our other travel plans. I would highly recommend using enchanting travels for booking once in a lifetime vacations; they are experienced with the destinations and save you lots of time with doing your own research and making your own travel plans. Plus, they are available while you were at your destination to answer questions and communicate plans. We had an amazing vacation!”
October 2023 Rating 5/5
“I cannot recommend Enchanting Travels highly enough. From the sales process to the pre-planning to the onsite support and follow-up after the trip: they are a first-class organization. If you have a trip you are thinking of taking to a country you’re not sure about where to even begin planning: let Enchanting Travels do the work for you. They are fantastic to work with. We will travel with them again.”
June 2023 Rating 5/5
“Dear Enchanting, My husband and I wish to commend you on the fantastic job you did planning and organizing our recent trip to South Africa and Victoria Falls in Zambia! This experience has been by far the greatest trip we’ve been on. From safaris in Madikwe National Park to retreat in Victoria Falls, to a cosmopolitan stay in Cape Town and finishing off with a three night ride on the luxurious Rovos Rail…we can’t say enough about this trip of a lifetime! I don’t think it could have been better! Thank you.”
March 2023 Rating 5/5
“We have just experienced and enjoyed our third trip with Enchanting. We were blown away by the amazing accommodations, the interesting and varied itinerary, and the fact that nothing was left to chance. The drivers and guides were always on time and enjoyable. Our trip coordinator Ntswaki, went over and above with little extras, and checking up on us as things changed day by day.”
March 2023 Rating 5/5
“Enchanting is willing to make any desire work for any reason in any country. We have recommended many friends who have taken trips and we apparently have more waiting in the wings to travel with Enchanting.”
September 2022 Rating 4/5
