Best time to visit Zambia, Zimbabwe & Malawi

The best time to visit Zambia, Zimbabwe & Malawi is May to August, judged across 9 places; January is its low season.

in seasongoodnot its bestlow season

Updated September 2026 · Africa · 9 places, each judged for what it is · climate normals from ERA5 reanalysis

Zambia, Zimbabwe & Malawi month by month

MonthSeasonWhyBest places
Januarylow seasoninsects & disease · 24 wet days · best May–AugHarare, Hwange National Park, Lilongwe
Februarynot its bestinsects & disease · 21 wet days · best May–AugHarare, Hwange National Park, Lilongwe
Marchgood27°C highs · 10 h sunHarare, Hwange National Park, Lusaka
Aprilgooddry season · before the heat · 26°C highsHarare, Lilongwe, Lusaka
Mayin seasondry season · before the heat · 25°C highsLilongwe, Harare, Blantyre
Junein seasondry season · before the heat · 24°C highsLilongwe, Lusaka, Livingstone
Julyin seasondry season · before the heat · 23°C highsHwange National Park, Lilongwe, Lusaka
Augustin seasondry season · before the heat · 27°C highsBlantyre, Lilongwe, Harare
Septembergooddry season · 30°C highs · 11 h sunNkhata Bay, Blantyre, Harare
Octobergooddry season · 32°C highs · 11 h sunNkhata Bay, Harare, Lilongwe
Novembergood31°C highs · 11 h sunNkhata Bay, Harare, Lilongwe
Decembernot its bestinsects & disease · 19 wet days · best May–AugHarare, Lilongwe, Lusaka

In season: one of the region's three best months, and good in its own right. Low season: one of its three worst, and well below its best. The reasons compare each month with the region's own year and name the seasons on the ground — monsoon, autumn colour, hurricanes — where most of its places share them.

All 9 places in Zambia, Zimbabwe & Malawi

Zambia, Zimbabwe & Malawi — FAQ

When is the best time to visit Zambia, Zimbabwe & Malawi?
May to August. In August: dry season · before the heat · 27°C highs.
When is the low season in Zambia, Zimbabwe & Malawi?
January. In January: insects & disease · 24 wet days · best May–Aug.
Which months are in season in Zambia, Zimbabwe & Malawi?
May to August — the months among its best that are also good in their own right.