Zambia Weather, When to Go and Climate Information

(Zambia, ZM, Southern Africa)

Zambia's tropical location is tempered by altitude, making the climate here generally pleasant. Wide variations exist in terms of both rainfall and temperature.

To get the most out of your visit to Zambia, you need to take weather conditions into consideration where you plan to visit, as well as the type of activities you will be engaged in. Of note, the best time for game viewing is between June and August.

Seasonal Climate Variations / When to Go

In Zambia, the dry season runs from June to the end of October. As a rule, visitors at this time of year get to see Zambian scenery and plant life at its greenest. However, evening temperatures can feel cooler during this period. In the daytime, though, as June turns to July, the days become clear and warm, with average temperatures of around 23°C / 73°F to 31°C / 88°F.


Temperatures continue to climb well into September in some parts of Zambia, including in the low-lying valley areas. For example, visitors to the Luangwa Valley can still look forward to hot weather in October. This is perhaps the best time to visit the country climate-wise, if you plan to do any wildlife watching.

By November, the wet season is well and truly underway, with the first real downpours of the year. These become more frequent as the weeks go by. It is worth noting that, at this time of year, many of Zambia's unsurfaced roads become impassable because of heavy rainfall. Likewise, many safari camps are closed.

Zambia Weather and Climate Chart (Averages)

	Maximum	Minimum
January	27°C / 81°F	18°C / 64°F
February	27°C / 81°F	17°C / 63°F
March	28°C / 82°F	16°C / 61°F
April	27°C / 81°F	14°C / 57°F
May	26°C / 79°F	10°C / 50°F
June	24°C / 75°F	8°C / 46°F
July	24°C / 75°F	7°C / 45°F
August	27°C / 81°F	9°C / 48°F
September	30°C / 86°F	13°C / 55°F
October	32°C / 90°F	16°C / 61°F
November	30°C / 86°F	17°C / 63°F
December	28°C / 82°F	18°C / 64°F