Livingstone (Victoria Falls) weather in September

September in Livingstone: hot, dry — a good time to visit.

Updated September 2026 · climate normals from ERA5 reanalysis

Livingstone🇿🇲 Zambia · Zambia, Zimbabwe & Malawi · National park62
  1. 59Jan
  2. 67Feb
  3. 74Mar
  4. 81Apr
  5. 88May
  6. 92Jun
  7. 91Jul
  8. 84Aug
  9. 62Sep
  10. 50Oct
  11. 60Nov
  12. 65Dec

#9 of 12 months in Livingstone · #1098 of 1413 destinations to visit in September · comfort 62/100 (tier C)

Days
33°C
Nights
18°C
Wet days
0
Sun
11.1 h
Humidity
29%
Daylight
12 h
Livingstone, Zambia
Photo: YWAM Livingstone · CC BY-SA 4.0

Traveller notes on Livingstone in September

Livingstone-forum threads on the best time to visit call September genuinely excellent, comfortably settled skies and essentially no meaningful precipitation this deep into the season. Posters flag water levels at Victoria Falls as noticeably receding by September, the Zambian side showing more exposed rock and gorge geology than the wetter months, while the Zimbabwean side retains a fuller curtain of water a bit longer. Regulars are consistent even a reduced September flow is still genuinely impressive up close, one visitor reporting plenty of spray and drama remained at month's end. The July-through-October stretch is the strongest window, water high enough for real spectacle but low enough for white-water rafting and the famous Devil's Pool to run safely. Posters recommend combining a Zambia-side and Zimbabwe-side viewing day for the fullest picture. The record: a scorching 33.1C by day feeling like a punishing 36C, 17.9C nights, a very low 29 percent humidity and 9.6 hours of sun.
VictoriaFallsSeptemberRegular · September · 1 month ago · Read more on Tripadvisor ↗

Other months in Livingstone

Livingstone-forum threads on a February visit describe conditions as genuinely mid-rain-season with unpredictable rainfall and persistent overcast alongside clear days. Regulars call water flow and spray genuinely at or near peak by February, several threads naming this as providing dramatic views even as spray reduces sight. Posters call helicopter flights genuinely fifty-fifty for clearance, several regulars naming flights more spectacular when they run due to massive water volume. Regulars call certain tours genuinely seasonal, several threads naming some operators restricting activities to May through October. Posters call ponchos genuinely non-negotiable near main viewpoints, several regulars naming spray as why many get drenched. Regulars recommend tempering photo expectations, several threads naming this standard. Posters recommend real flexible plans around the weather, several regulars calling this standard given unpredictability. The record: 28.4C days, 20C nights, 188mm.
LivingstoneFebruaryRegular · February · 1 month ago · Read more on Tripadvisor ↗
Livingstone-forum threads on an April visit describe Victoria Falls water flow as genuinely increasing toward a strong, scenic level, posters naming April as when the falls start looking genuinely impressive after the wet season buildup. Regulars call mist and spray a real factor at high flow, several posters warning fog can obscure some viewpoints even as the sheer volume of water impresses. Posters call April a real transition point, several regulars naming a shift from intense downpours earlier in the wet season to lighter, sporadic showers by now. Regulars call a raincoat still genuinely worth packing for the falls themselves, several threads naming the spray zone as soaking regardless of the forecast. Posters recommend timing a falls visit for clearer viewing when possible, several regulars calling this standard given how much mist can vary hour to hour. The record: 27.9C days, 17.5C nights, 29.3mm across over 5 days and 65 percent humidity.
LivingstoneAprilRegular · April · 1 month ago · Read more on Tripadvisor ↗
Livingstone-forum threads on October weather describe this as genuinely the hottest stretch, posters calling it the local run-up to summer with none of the relief daily storms bring once the season turns. Regulars call daytime readings capable of reaching the low forties Celsius, a serious factor for extended time outdoors. Posters call game viewing genuinely excellent despite the heat, animals concentrating around rivers and permanent water sources in real, reliable numbers. Regulars call October weather occasionally unpredictable, a freak cold front capable of moving through late in the dry stretch. Posters recommend real sun protection and more water than feels necessary, dehydration a genuine risk in this heat. Regulars call October worth visiting for the wildlife concentration alone, timing activity around cooler morning and evening hours standard advice. The record: 34.9C days feeling like 34C, 20.9C nights, a scant 2.2 days of measurable precipitation and 32 percent humidity.
LivingstoneOctoberRegular · October · 1 month ago · Read more on Tripadvisor ↗
Livingstone-forum threads on current conditions describe August as sitting within the region's cool, dry stretch, comfortable daytime readings and genuinely cold nights typical this deep into winter. Posters call this among the most physically comfortable months to visit, warm rather than intense by day, a real relief from the more punishing heat that builds later in the season. Regulars describe the Zambezi as still carrying decent flow, Devil's Pool access generally possible though posters call it genuinely dependent on that season's water level, not guaranteed any given week. Posters recommend real layers for early morning activities regardless of how warm the afternoon runs. Regulars call August through October the classic tradeoff window. Posters recommend checking current Devil's Pool status directly with an operator. The record: 29.1C days feeling like 27C, 13.8C nights, a low 36 percent humidity and 10.7 hours of sun.
LivingstoneAugustRegular · August · 1 month ago · Read more on Tripadvisor ↗

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Livingstone climate normals — September

Daytime high33°C / 92°F🥵 hot
Nighttime low18°C / 64°F
Feels like (high)32°C / 90°F
Rainfall0 mm / 0 in☀️ dry
Rainy days0 days
Humidity29%🌵 dry
Dew point5°C / 40°F
Sunshine11.1 h/day
Daylight12 h
Wind18 km/h / 11 mph
Air quality (US AQI)52🙂 moderate

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

Crowds in Livingstone in September

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 2 of the markets that fill it, an ordinary month(estimated)

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Peak crowdsBusyShoulder seasonQuiet

Best months for Livingstone'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 weatherLivingstone's weather peaks May–July, best around June.

JFMAMJJASOND

Best weatherFair weatherToughest weather

What's on in Livingstone in September

Recurring seasonal events, natural spectacles, closures and holidays — curated and sourced.

  • Opening

    Devil's Pool season

    15 Aug – 15 Jan · usuallyHigh waterBook early

    The rock pool on the lip of the falls only opens once the river has dropped, usually from the middle of August until the rains put it back under. Livingstone Island closes altogether at high water. Source ↗

  • Nature

    The falls run dry

    1 Sep – 31 Dec · usuallyHigh water

    Late in the dry season the Zambian side can thin to bare basalt and the water retreats into the Zimbabwe channels. The worst months for the waterfall itself and the best for everything else on the river.

What's on around the world in September →

Nearby, and something's on

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

Where is Livingstone?

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Livingstone in September — FAQ

Is September a good time to visit Livingstone?
September in Livingstone: hot, dry — a good time to visit. It ranks #9 of 12 months for Livingstone on SeasonMap's comfort score (62/100).
What is the weather like in Livingstone in September?
In September, Livingstone averages a daily high of 33.1°C and a low of 17.9°C, with about 0.3 mm of rain over roughly 0.1 rainy days.
What is the air quality in Livingstone in September?
Livingstone has a mean US Air Quality Index of about 52 in September.

Within 300 km: Victoria Falls' Low-water rafting season on 1 Aug – 31 Dec.