Zimbabwe is a small yet diverse country in the centre of Southern Africa. With some of the best
temperatures in southern Africa and some of the best wildlife viewing, Zimbabwe is the ideal safari destination. The summer months fall from September to April, in this there are two distinct seasons – the wet summer months which is the rainy season (November to April), and the hot dry summer months (September to October). The winter months run from May to August and the temperatures are very pleasant during the day making this the perfect time for a safari.
Zimbabwe Average Daily Temperatures & Number of Sunny Days
Zimbabwe has a very pleasant climate year-round. In the summer months, the temperatures range from 18° C to 32° C (64° F to 90° F), although during the hot dry months (September to October) temperatures in areas such as the Zambezi Valley can easily reach 40° C (104° F). Winter temperatures are pleasant during the days with averages ranging from 6° C to 25° C (43° F to 77° F).
Zimbabwe Average Monthly Rainfall
The rainy season in Zimbabwe runs from November to April with an average yearly rainfall of 800mm (31in). Depending on what activities you are looking at doing whilst in Zimbabwe this will give you a good indication of when to plan your adventure.
National Parks and the best times to visit
Zimbabwe is home to some of the best game reserves in Southern Africa and with the moderate temperatures it is a wonderful year-round destination, however, certain times of the year suit different areas.
Victoria Falls – located in the northwestern corner of Zimbabwe, this is the place where Zimbabwe, Botswana, Namibia and Zambia meet and is home to one of the seven natural wonders of the world – the Victoria Falls. Victoria Falls is a great place to visit all year round, however, if you want to see the falls at their peak then the best times to visit are between February and May.
Mana Pools National Park – a UNESCO World Heritage Site, located on the banks of the Zambezi River in the north of the country. Mana Pools National Park is known for its abundance of wildlife and picturesque landscapes. During the rainy season, some roads can become waterlogged and inaccessible and a few of the camps do close in the rainy season. The best time to visit Mana Pools is during winter when the bush is sparse, so animal sightings are better and the temperatures are cooler.
Hwange National Park – the largest national park in Zimbabwe and home to the biggest elephant herd in the country. The dry season from June to October is the best time to visit Hwange as you will witness vast amounts of animals gathering at the waterholes to quench their thirst, that being said the summer months hold their own beauty with the vegetation turning shades of green, this is a great time to visit for birdwatching.
Gonarezhou National Park – home to the famous Chilojo Cliffs, a magnificent sight to witness on the banks of the Runde River. Gonarezhou is open from March to December each year, it closes from January to March for the ZimParks teams to conduct maintenance throughout the park. The best times to visit are between April and November as you will miss the heavy rains and you are more likely to see large amounts of wildlife during the dry season.
