Hwange National Park weather in January

January in Hwange National Park: warm, soaked, with clean air — fine if you can take 21 rainy days.

Updated September 2026 · climate normals from ERA5 reanalysis

Hwange National Park🇿🇼 Zimbabwe · Zambia, Zimbabwe & Malawi · National park66
  1. 66Jan
  2. 70Feb
  3. 78Mar
  4. 82Apr
  5. 88May
  6. 91Jun
  7. 93Jul
  8. 85Aug
  9. 68Sep
  10. 51Oct
  11. 57Nov
  12. 63Dec

#9 of 12 months in Hwange National Park · #812 of 1413 destinations to visit in January · comfort 66/100 (tier C)

Days
29°C
Nights
19°C
Wet days
21
Sun
10.4 h
Humidity
79%
Daylight
13 h
Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe
Photo: JackyR · CC BY-SA 3.0

Traveller notes on Hwange National Park in January

Other months in Hwange National Park

Hwange-forum threads on an August visit describe this as genuinely peak dry season, posters naming excellent visibility and wildlife concentrated tightly around remaining waterholes as the real draw. Regulars call Kennedy Two Pan toward Ngweshla a real standout for steady elephant traffic, several posters naming this route among the most reliable in the park for August sightings. Posters call the Sinamatella area genuinely worth the detour, several regulars naming Masuma Dam, Deteema and Shumba Pan as strong waterhole stops with consistently good game. Regulars call August real peak season here, several threads warning private campsites can already be fully booked well ahead. Posters recommend booking accommodation and campsites early regardless of which area you plan to base in, several regulars calling this standard given how popular the dry season gets. The record: 28.7C days, 12.1C nights, effectively no measurable precipitation and 37 percent humidity.
HwangeAugustRegular · August · 5 days ago · Read more on Tripadvisor ↗
Hwange-forum threads on a February visit describe game as genuinely dispersed, posters warning the bush runs green and thick with real wildlife viewing considerably harder than later in the season, though sightings still happen. Regulars call frequent thunderstorms a real feature of February, several posters describing hot conditions with real showers near-daily. Posters call chalet rates genuinely lower this time of year, several regulars naming reduced pricing a real upside for budget-conscious travelers willing to accept weaker game odds. Regulars call the scenery a genuine highlight regardless of wildlife difficulty, several threads naming green landscapes and excellent birdwatching real compensations. Posters recommend real waterproof gear and flexible plans, several regulars calling this standard advice given how quickly a clear morning can turn here. The record: 28.6C days, 18.3C nights, an extraordinarily high 159.9mm across nearly 16 days and 71 percent humidity.
HwangeFebruaryRegular · February · 5 days ago · Read more on Tripadvisor ↗
Hwange-forum threads comparing April, May and June describe June as genuinely the start of real high season, posters calling cool, clear conditions ideal for game viewing as animals gather at diminishing waterholes. Regulars call daytime readings comfortable around the mid-twenties, several posters warning nights drop considerably colder, toward single digits, real layers essential for early drives. Posters call June still a touch early for some, one regular noting the park can stay genuinely green with plenty of grass this early, which can limit sightlines compared with later in the dry season. Regulars call June-October the real window most posters recommend, several threads naming this the stretch with the strongest wildlife viewing. Posters recommend real warm layers for morning drives regardless of afternoon warmth, several regulars calling this standard advice for a June trip. The record: 24.9C days, 9.9C nights, effectively no measurable precipitation and 47 percent humidity.
HwangeJuneRegular · June · 5 days ago · Read more on Tripadvisor ↗
Hwange-forum threads describe October as genuinely the hottest month here, posters calling readings soaring into the thirties with real heat a defining feature of any October trip. Regulars call game viewing genuinely excellent despite the heat, several posters naming September and October the real peak for elephant herds as clear conditions make spotting animals near water considerably easier. Posters recommend real hydration and shade breaks during midday drives, several regulars calling October heat here more demanding than earlier months. Regulars call one specific end-of-October visit more bearable than expected, several threads noting actual conditions can vary more than the average temperature alone suggests. Posters recommend planning around early morning and late afternoon drives, several regulars calling this the standard way to balance real heat against strong wildlife odds. The record: 35C days, 18.8C nights, 8.3mm across nearly 3 days and 34 percent humidity.
HwangeOctoberRegular · October · 5 days ago · Read more on Tripadvisor ↗

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Hwange National Park climate normals — January

Daytime high29°C / 83°F🌤 warm
Nighttime low19°C / 66°F
Rainfall178 mm / 7 in⛈ soaked
Rainy days21 days
Humidity79%💦 very humid
Dew point18°C / 64°F
Sunshine10.4 h/day
Daylight13.1 h
Wind14 km/h / 9 mph
Air quality (US AQI)28🍃 good

Monthly averages from ERA5 reanalysis. AQI is the mean US Air Quality Index for the month.

Crowds in Hwange National Park in January

How busy the place itself is — school and mass holidays, the months an editor tagged, and how sought-after the weather makes them. Never part of the comfort score.

Shoulder seasonschool holidays in 5 of the markets that fill it, an ordinary month(estimated)

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Peak crowdsBusyShoulder seasonQuiet

Best months for Hwange National Park's weather

Ranked by this destination's own climate comfort score across the year — a different thing from how busy it gets (see Crowds above).

Fair weatherHwange National Park's weather peaks May–July.

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Best weatherFair weatherToughest weather

Nearby, and something's on

Within 300 km of Hwange National Park — a day trip or a short hop — with something on this month. Never part of the comfort score.

Where is Hwange National Park?

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Hwange National Park in January — FAQ

Is January a good time to visit Hwange National Park?
January in Hwange National Park: warm, soaked, with clean air — fine if you can take 21 rainy days. It ranks #9 of 12 months for Hwange National Park on SeasonMap's comfort score (66/100).
What is the weather like in Hwange National Park in January?
In January, Hwange National Park averages a daily high of 28.6°C and a low of 18.8°C, with about 177.5 mm of rain over roughly 20.8 rainy days.
What is the air quality in Hwange National Park in January?
Hwange National Park has a mean US Air Quality Index of about 28 in January.

Within 300 km: Victoria Falls' Devil's Pool opens around 15 Aug – 15 Jan, and Livingstone's Devil's Pool season around 15 Aug – 15 Jan.