Victoria Falls weather by month and the best time to visit

When to go

Victoria Falls, in Matabeleland North, Zimbabwe³, has a rainy season from November to March and a dry season from April to October⁴. The catch is that the biggest water and the clearest view don’t arrive at the same time.

The climate figures on this page are 1961–1990 averages³ from the World Meteorological Organization. In an average year the town gets 657.3 mm³ of rain.

When is the rainy season at Victoria Falls?

The rainy season at Victoria Falls runs from November to March⁴, and December is the wettest month, with 173.5 mm³ of rain. The rain then fills the river: the Zambezi’s flood season at the falls runs February to May, peaking in April⁵.

Spray from the falls usually rises more than 400 metres⁵, and at high water it can obscure the view⁴. Bring a waterproof cover for your phone or camera.

Best months for your goal

• Biggest flow: April, when about 500 million litres a minute¹ go over the edge.
• Clear views and photos: May, when there’s less mist and much better visibility, and June, with strong flow and much less spray¹.
• Cool, dry days: July averages 0.0 mm of rain, but nights drop to 5.6°C³, the coldest of the year, so pack a warm layer.
• White-water rafting: from July, when it’s fully back in operation, to December, the last month of good low-water rafting¹.
• Devil’s Pool: late in the dry season, from mid-August⁶ at the earliest (see closures below).
• Fewer people: February, which is green season, with fewer crowds while the falls build up¹.
• Lower lodge rates: November, when many lodges start charging low-season rates¹. Many still do in December, though usually not over the festive season¹.
• A big running event: the Econet Victoria Falls Marathon, held on 5 July 2026⁷. The previous edition drew more than 5,000 participants⁷, so book a bed early if your dates overlap.

Once you’ve picked a month, compare Victoria Falls hotels for that season.

Months to think twice about

• April, for views: the water peaks, but heavy mist can hide some viewpoints¹.
• October, for heat and water: average highs reach 33.4°C³, and by October the falls may be just a trickle⁴.
• November, for the Zambian side: the Zambezi is low and the Zambian side can shrink to a trickle¹. Wild Horizons also names October as the month of the lowest water of the year¹, so treat the whole late dry season as thin.
• December and January, for rain: December is the wettest month, and January isn’t far behind at 167.6 mm³.

Weighing up another famous waterfall instead? See Niagara vs Victoria Falls.

Closures

The park itself stays open, but some activities follow the river level. Check these before you build a trip around them.

Devil’s Pool and Angel’s Pool on Livingstone Island take turns with the water level, and the operators don’t agree on when Devil’s Pool opens. Late August is a gamble; mid-September onwards matches every source.

Livingstone Island is open 11 to 12 months of the year⁹, so the pool you get depends on when you go.

Tour · 3 hours

From Victoria Falls: Livingstone Island Tour & Devils Pool

4.6 (282 reviews) on GetYourGuide, checked October 2026

Free cancellation · Pickup included

FromUS$230

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Tour · 6 hours

Zambezi River Class IV-V White-Water Rafting from Victoria Falls

Free cancellation

FromUS$180

See dates on Viator

Before you travel, read the safety and money tips for visitors.

Questions people ask