When is the best time to visit Victoria Falls Zambia or Zimbabwe for different activities and the best views?
To answer this question, it’s important to realise that the amount of water gushing over Vic Falls, and the climate around them, varies dramatically throughout the year.
So while Victoria Falls is a year-round destination, the Falls look very different over the course of 12 months - not only due to the water levels but also the number of tourists there and the activities on offer!
Each season offers various benefits, as well as disadvantages, so let’s take a look at how this plays out throughout the year to help you plan when to go to Victoria Falls.
Tracking the annual cycles of the seasonal climates and corresponding water levels at Victoria Falls is key to understanding when the best time to visit this amazing natural spectacle is.
In terms of rainfall, there are 2 main seasons…
The wet season, which runs from November to March brings to life the full mighty force of Vic Falls!
During the seasonal rains, the water level starts to rise and Victoria Falls reaches peak flow directly after the wet season between the months of March and May.
At this time, the Falls are at their fullest and the sheer volume of flowing water is truly awe-inspiring!
So, if you want to see the Falls at their most dramatic, this is the best time to visit Victoria Falls, one of the top UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Africa.
After all, what could be more impressive than seeing the world’s largest sheet of falling water flowing at its greatest volume, with the entire 1.7km width of Victoria Falls becoming a thundering wall of water?
However, there are some pitfalls to visiting at this time.
From March to May it can still be pretty hot and humid at Victoria Falls, so steer clear if you’re not a fan of these!
The other thing that most people fail to consider at this time is the mist.
When the water levels are high, there’s an immense wall of mist coming off the Falls.
This can make for spectacular rainbows, but can also completely block the view on some days.
Many people who visit Victoria Falls between March and May want to see the Falls in full force, however, they risk being disappointed.
Normally this is because they can’t see Vic Falls very well; with many viewpoints shrouded in mist, those sought-after snaps become pretty elusive!
So, contrary to what you might expect, the peak flow and high water levels seen from March to May might not actually be the best time to visit Victoria Falls.
After May, the dry season at Victoria Falls begins and usually runs until October.
During these months, the water levels gradually reduce at the Falls and by the end of the dry season they are dramatically diminished.
This pattern continues for the next few months, with the Falls actually reaching their lowest flow point usually in November or December.
At this time, low water levels may mean the Vic Falls are not as spectacular and tend to lack their thunderous impact!
But lower water levels aren’t all bad!
After all, less water does allow you to get closer to Victoria Falls and opens up some breathtaking activities that aren’t possible at other times.
Let’s explore this more….
There are so many great things to do at Victoria Falls, and so many ways to experience the largest waterfall in the world, that you can easily spend two or three days at this once-in-a-lifetime destination.
To enjoy the maximum number of activities available here, and to get as close as possible to Vic Falls, it’s really best to visit when the water level is lower.
This may be surprising at first but it makes more sense when you understand that many activities here are not possible to enjoy when the water flow is too high.
Here’s the lowdown on the most popular Victoria Falls activities and the best time of year to experience them...
A guided tour of Victoria Falls, which takes you to some of the best viewpoints around the area, is one of the most popular activities… and for good reason!
The best time to enjoy a guided tour is during the months of good weather and good visibility, which generally means when the spray of the Falls is less forceful.
To give you an idea, July to September is thought to be the best time of year for stunning views of Vic Falls, thanks to the fact it’s dry season and usually the water is at its middle flow mark.
White water rafting the epic Grade V rapids at Victoria Falls is surely one of the wildest rides available in Southern Africa!
While it is possible to raft certain sections of the Zambezi River from July until March, rafting the full extent of the rapids is only really possible when the river is at its lowest, generally from September until December.
This is for safety reasons because rafting at Victoria Falls isn’t advised in the dangerously high water levels seen during the peak water flow months.
Taking a walk over the iconic Victoria Falls bridge, to soak in the magnificent (if a little dizzying!) 360 views across the gorge below, should not be missed!
Epic views can be glimpsed all year round, but mist plays a factor.
When mist levels are low, towards the end of the year (think July through December), your view is less obscured, but if you do have a good amount of spray (common during the peak water months of March through May) you might just get the money shot of the rainbow across the gorge reflected in the spray - a total wow moment!
For the adventurous at heart, a dip in Devil's Pool is an experience at Victoria Falls you’ll never forget!
From September until December, when water levels are lowest and it’s therefore safe, you can swim in this natural infinity pool that sits right at the very edge of the waterfall.
Talk about getting up close and personal!
Just metres from the edge of Vic Falls, you can almost peer over the plummeting water to give you a truly unique and thrilling perspective!
Another extraordinary excursion only allowed when water levels are low enough, is lunch with a view from the top of the Falls.
Livingstone Island, situated in the middle of the Zambezi River on the Zambian side of Victoria Falls, is perched right at the edge of the waterfall itself.
Like Devil’s Pool, it’s only accessible when the water levels are low enough to allow safe visits - generally from August through to December.
For thrill-seekers, Victoria Falls Bridge hosts many enticing options.
From one of the world’s biggest bungee jumps to swinging out across the huge Victoria Falls gorge, you can also try the Victoria Falls zip line, which is the world’s longest and will take you flying across the beautiful landscape with breathtaking views of the gorge and the Zambezi River below.
All three of these Victoria Falls activities are open all year round but do close in inclement weather for safety reasons.
As such, the depths of the rainy season in January and February may not be the best time to visit Victoria Falls if these thrill-seeking activities are up there on your bucket list.
If white water rafting isn’t your thing, but you’d like to explore the natural beauty at Victoria Falls at a gentler pace, taking a trip through some of the Zambezi’s calmer stretches and more gentle rapids could be for you.
The lower water months from August to December are best for kayaking the Zambezi, as the amount of water flowing through the Batoka Gorge is low enough to make it a safe and sedate experience.
Another way to absorb Victoria Falls’s beauty from the water (and one that we thoroughly recommend you do!) is to take a sunset cruise along the Zambezi River.
These breathtakingly beautiful boat rides are available all year round, weather permitting, but are best enjoyed with clear skies, so May through October is really the best time to visit Victoria Falls for this activity.
It's only really possible to fully grasp the sheer magnitude and grandeur of the epic spectacle that is Victoria Falls by taking to the air and relishing an aerial view of them.
Microlight and helicopter flights are possible all year round, weather permitting, but when the spray is strong and views from the ground aren’t great, it’s the best time to see Victoria Falls from the air!
A perfect peak flow Victoria Falls activity between March and May!
Ok, so taking all these factors into account, it’s time to address when is the overall best time to visit Victoria Falls.
Well, the most popular time to visit Victoria Falls, and certainly one of the best times, is July to September.
This season gives a great combination of good visibility and fab weather because it’s both the dry season and also the country’s winter, meaning the heat is less intense.
Water levels at the Falls are gradually reducing during these months, so visibility is good, but there’s still an impressive water flow for those epic photos!
Most of the amazing Victoria Falls activities are also possible from July to September, so you’ll be able to take part in many of these once-in-a-lifetime experiences too.
Plus, being the dry season, it’s also a great time of year for a wildlife safari, which I’m sure you’ll want to combine with your trip to Victoria Falls!
But do be aware that, because this is peak season, prices for accommodation and tours at Victoria Falls will be at their highest from July to September, so you need to book well in advance.
Alternatively, visiting earlier in the dry season, between April and June, is another of the best times to visit Victoria Falls.
The weather is good and the Falls are impressively big, with the chance to capture the spray rainbow!
At this time you can also enjoy some of the plentiful activities available above the water such as flights, bridge walks and guided tours too.
Whatever time of year you visit Victoria Falls, one thing is guaranteed - you'll have a fantastic time!
Just make sure you take the water levels, as well as the weather and the prices, into account when planning your visit to Victoria Falls.
Our team of African travel experts has all the insider knowledge on when to visit Victoria Falls and how to get the most out of your trip.
To get help planning your African trip speak to one of them today.
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