Best time to visit Zimbabwe

The rainy season ends in March, and while game viewing is still limited, excellent birding opportunities await.

Sunny days become more consistent, and large pools of water become scarce, so wildlife is slowly becoming easier to spot in parks. Although in limited numbers, there is a chance for you to see some animals.

Many migratory birds are still present in March, making birding safaris rewarding.

If you are lucky enough, you might spot larger game life in Matusadona National Park. When visiting, you can see African fish eagle, giant kingfisher, glossy ibis, lilac-breasted roller, and meves’s starling.

With rain still present, migratory birds are often still around. Some migrate from Asia or Europe to Africa, while others migrate within Africa.

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Considering the pleasant weather and wildlife viewing, April is a good time to visit Zimbabwe.

Game drives can get chilly at night, so pack warmer clothes.

This month, a great park to visit is Matobo National Park, where you can track rhinos and see prehistoric rock art that gives a glimpse into the past inhabitants of Zimbabwe.

Wildlife sightings tend to be slow this time of year, but it can be a rewarding experience when spotted.

When visiting here, it’s helpful to know that the ethnic group present are the Shona people. A vacation here will broaden your horizons as you learn about the many fascinating cultures.

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Game viewing improves significantly in May as sunny days become common.

May marks the first month of the dry season, and wildlife is much more prominent in different parks.

This month, a great park to visit is Hwange National Park, which hosts the Big Five (rhinos are a rare sight, though).

The park is one of the biggest in Zimbabwe and a must-see region.

While English is the official language of the country, other languages spoken here are Shona and Ndebele.

To experience a little bit of the culture, a great start is to try the national dish of Zimbabwe called Sadza. It involves mixing cornmeal with water until it reaches a smooth consistency and is often served with meat and vegetables.

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The dry season is well underway in June, making it an excellent time for a safari experience.

June sees plenty of sunshine, but morning and evening drives mirror that of May in that it can get quite chilly.

Kariba National Park is a great region to visit this month, and it boasts the Big Five in its vicinity. By day, you can spot hippos in the water, while at night, you can find them looking for food on land.

Elephants and buffaloes are often abundant around the lake, and photographing them in their natural habitat is a surreal experience.

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July is the middle of Zimbabwe’s dry season. The daytime temperatures are warm, but they drop in the evenings.

Wildlife viewing is still at its peak, and Mana Pools National Park is a place you’d want to visit at this time of year. Four of the Big Five exist here, but rhinos are scarce.

With the sun out, there’s more to do than stay indoors or do game drives. Wellness activities like spa treatments and outdoor yoga are also available.

The dry season is a fantastic time to get out and enjoy some amazing photographic and birding safaris! It’s the perfect opportunity to spot both beautiful birds and incredible wildlife all at once.

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By this time of year, the green landscapes have transformed to brown, with wildlife viewing at its best.

The sun is out, but morning and night game drives can get chilly. Although it gets a bit cold, there is almost no chance of rain.

Zimbabwe currently has one of the highest densities of elephants, so there is a high chance you will encounter some during your game drives.

A park to visit in August is Zambezi National Park, which houses four of the Big Five. Here, you have a greater chance of seeing lions, buffaloes, and elephants than you do of cheetahs and African wild dogs.

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September is such a fantastic month for spotting wildlife! With no rain for five months, many waterholes have dried up, which means animals are out and about, searching for water. This is a great time to see predators and their prey in action!

One of the highlights is watching lions at night when they’re most active. Just a heads up—the evenings can get a bit chilly, so bringing some warmer clothes for your safari adventure is a good idea.

Remember that since it’s one of the driest seasons, the animals tend to kick up quite a bit of dust, which might make photography a tad tricky. But overall, it’s an exhilarating time to be out in nature!

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The dry season ends in October, marking this month’s final opportunity for excellent game viewing.

Wildlife are drawn to the few available water sources, making game drives eventful.

This time of year isn’t ideal for photography, as the dust and smoke in the air make it a little challenging to capture fantastic imagery.

A great park to visit is Matobo National Park, best known for its leopards. Other big game such as giraffes, hippos, zebras, white rhinos, and wildebeests, exist in the park, but spotting them here is a lot harder.

Since Matobo is not a prime wildlife destination, other activities, such as birding and spa treatments, are available to enjoy.

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November marks the beginning of the wet season, which brings invigorating thunderstorms! By mid-month, you can expect the rains to roll in, while the temperatures usually stay nice and warm.

While wildlife viewing might slow down a bit with the rains, don’t worry—this is actually a fantastic time for birdwatching! The wet season brings a flurry of migratory birds, making it an exciting time for bird enthusiasts.

If you’re looking for a great spot, Zambezi National Park is fabulous this month! You can catch a glimpse of beautiful birds resting on the sandbanks or soaring across the water.

Keep an eye out for some amazing species like the African skimmer, collared palm-thrush, goliath heron, long-toed lapwing, and the cheerful white-fronted bee-eater.

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December is such a magical month! It’s one of the wettest times of the year, and with all that rain, the landscapes turn a stunning shade of green—perfect for a fun photographic safari!

Mornings tend to be bright and clear, but keep an eye out for some lovely afternoon showers.

While wildlife viewing can be a bit tricky this time of year since there are plenty of water sources, which means animals might not be as active, the experience is still unique!

Zambezi National Park is a fantastic choice if you’re looking for an awesome spot to explore. It’s home to a beautiful, jungle-like riverine forest filled with majestic trees like ebonies and baobabs.

Plus, a safari in December offers a fantastic birding safari experience and breathtaking photo opportunities.

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January is in the middle of the rainy season, making Victoria Falls the best place to visit. The waterfall is gushing during this time, and while heavy rain is consistent, the weather is hot and humid.

The bush is generally thick and green, often making wildlife viewing difficult. Wildlife doesn’t have to work hard to find food and water and is usually well hidden in the dense vegetation.

Since January is primarily a wet season, birding and photographic safaris are popular activities, with migratory birds arriving with the rain.

The presence of rain doesn’t mean it’s all bad, though. Victoria Falls is often at its most dramatic. Capturing this on camera is a picture-perfect memory.

Learn more about zimbabwe in january