SEASONS AND WEATHER

Chobe/Botswana Weather

The winters in Botswana are pleasant and the nights are cool. The temperatures during the days are in the 20's but during the hot, dry summers temperatures can reach highs in the 30's. Desert temperatures are always hotter than anywhere else and there is the occasional drizzle in the Kalahari.

Seasons in Chobe/Botswana

Spring: September - October
Summer: November - March
Autumn: April - May
Winter: June – August

Zambia Weather

Zambia is one of the few African countries that has 3 distinct seasons. December to April is warm, wet and humid. May to August is cool and dry and September to November is hot and dry. The climate is moderated by the altitude.

Seasons in Zambia

Spring: September - November
Summer: December - April
Autumn: April - May
Winter: May – August

Victoria Falls/Zimbabwe Weather

The summers in Zimbabwe are hot with heavy rainfalls in the mountain regions and forest areas. Zimbabwean winters are renowned for being dry and cool. There is little rainfall in the southern regions of Zimbabwe.

Seasons in Victoria Falls/Zimbabwe

Spring: September - October
Summer: November - April
Autumn: April - June
Winter: July – August

WET AND DRY SEASONS

The wet and dry seasons have a significant effect on game conditions. The dry season generally runs from May to October. Game conditions generally improve as the season gets drier and wildlife tends to concentrate near remaining water sources.

The summer wet season itself, also referred to as the "green season", generally starting with fresh rains in November heralds the arrival of migrant birds as mammals disperse in search of fresh growth - the bush gets thick, insects flourish, birding improves, game viewing deteriorates. The summer rains are generally characterized by torrential downpours followed by sunshine during the day. Heavy rains and flood conditions, if they occur, happen in January and February. The wet season generally makes the remoter areas inaccessible.

MILD WINTERS AND HOT SUMMERS

Temperatures during the winter in Zimbabwe, Zambia and Botswana are moderate and generally very comfortable by comparison with those experienced in the northern climes… a mid-winter lower Zambezi canoe safari can be tackled in shorts, rafters and T-shirt with a fleece and joggers to ward off the evening chill - temperatures at the time will rarely drop below 13 degrees Celsius however at higher altitudes, night time temperatures would approach freezing.

On the other hand the Zambezi and Luangwa valleys experience extremely high temperatures just before the rains - October and November are regarded as "suicide months" with day time temperatures exceeding 40 degrees celcius and not dropping below 30 degrees celcius for nights on end. This time of year is exceptionally good for game, but you have to be quite dedicated to handle the heat! In mid- November the rains usually start. It's a release from about six weeks of hell for local residents and insects alike! This is a good time to arrange to gather bucket loads of flying ants and prepare for the tiger fishing season between December and March.

Zambia's game viewing is best during the dry season from May through to October. The wet season is best for bird watching but access particularly into the Luangwa is very limited.

Zimbabwe's best game-viewing season is generally from late May until November. September sees the start of the inbound bird migrations and birding remains excellent throughout the wet season.

Botswana's dry season is from May to December, January to April is the wet season.

WHITE WATER RAFTING SEASON

Rafting at Victoria Falls is dependent on the Zambezi water levels. In a nutshell, low water season is the most exciting season. This runs from around mid-July to early January with water levels dropping progressively until the lowest levels are reached during December and January. The annual rains start in the middle of November but it's only in January that the headwaters start hitting the Victoria Falls and levels climb again and high water season starts. The flood peak usually hits the Victoria Falls around Easter time. Rafting stops from around mid-March to the end of April.