When is the Best Time to Visit Victoria Falls: A Seasonal Guide

Unravel the baffling cascades of Victoria Falls with us and discover the best time to visit for you.

Visions of rumbling white waters and rocky viewpoints fill your mind as you dream of your adventure to Victoria Falls. But as you plan your wild journey, from Jeep ride to sunset cruise, you gaze at your calendar. When it comes to witnessing the grandeur of Vic Falls, what is the best time of year?

Spreading across two country, Zimbabwe and Zambia, Victoria Falls' gigantic curtain is 1,708 metres in width and is as baffling to understand as it is to observe. Amid the UNESCO World Heritage Site, sourced by the equally mighty Zambezi River, there is opportunity for travellers like you to go rafting, take helicopter flights, and visit the surrounding national parks. Honeymooners, intrepid families, and solo explorers gather at the falls, unveiling boundless beauties and hidden gems as they explore its untamed waters and rainforest. 

While Victoria Falls glows throughout the year, a proud landmark and piece of natural heritage for local guides and tribes, there are some times of the year when the region is less accessible. Depending on what you seek from the waterfall, you will find an optimal time to visit for you. To find out more, read on.

Get in Touch with one of our Travel Specialists to discuss the best time to visit Victoria Falls in more detail.

If you'd like to explore some of our best Victoria Falls tours, check out these example itineraries:

What to do during your time at Victoria Falls (and when)

You'd think that witnessing the sheer beauty of this magnificent waterfall would be enough - and it is! But with a plethora of exciting activities to choose from during your tour, you'd be a fool not to indulge. Let's begin by looking at four exciting things to do in Victoria Falls:

Go White Water Rafting!

Best from September-January 

Reaching 892 metres at its highest point, the white waters produced by Victoria Falls are world-class when it comes to rafting conditions. Where the Zambezi River flows beneath the falls, some of Africa's best tour companies welcome thrill seekers to indulge in class 4 and class 5 rapids. As soon as you're suited up and safe, the adventure begins, with enchanting views of the waterfall and its surrounding rainforests awaiting after every sharp turn or drop. Since the 1980s, this adrenaline inducing activity has been a classic and remains a must-do for all travellers seeking a challenge! 

Soar Over the Falls by Helicopter 

Available all year but best from April-August

For those who want more time to soak up the magical vistas of Victoria Falls, helicopters stand ready for action, fitting for all travellers wanting to step outside their comfort zone. Organised by several tour companies by the falls, these luxury tours are sure to leave an enviable stain in your memory banks and holiday albums. One of our favourites, included in our Cape Town, Kruger and Victoria Falls Tour, is known as the "flight of angels", taking you over the Zambezi River for views of Batoka Gorge and Kalunda Island.

A slightly longer version soars over Zambezi National Park as well, showcasing the very best of Zimbabwe's side of the waterfall. Choose between the 13 minute and 25 minute flight and accompany your experienced pilot through a living anthology of some of our world's best vistas.

Enjoy a Romantic Sunset River Cruise 

Best during the dry season (May-October)

If you are heading on a honeymoon or couple's escape to Victoria Falls, there is no better way to close a day than ahead of the melting African sun. Taking the lead from local experts who know the area inside out, these spell-binding river cruises glide along the glimmering Zambezi River, offering you unmatched views of the waterfall's environment. With a drink of choice in hand, you can admire the region's riverside wildlife and watch the heritage of Victoria Falls unfold with stories told by your guide. What better way to savour Africa's largest waterfall as well as the company of your loved ones?

Dip into Devil's Pool

Best from August-January

On the Zambian side of Victoria Falls, Devil's Pool is a magnet for thrill-seekers and lovers of scenery. Perching on the very edge of the waterfall's plunge, protected by a circle of rocks, the pool is surprisingly calm and accessible for all travellers willing to face extreme heights. At a height of over 100 metres, the pool provides an idyllic spot from which to admire some of the best vistas in the region - and how much more immersive can you get? Feeling the Zambezi's cooling waters on your skin is an experience one doesn't come across more than once!

Wayfairer Top Tip: Devil's Pool is only accessible when water levels are low.

If you'd like to explore more options, read our blog all about it:

Devil's Pool, Zambia.

Visiting Victoria Falls by Season

The seasons in this Zimbabwean/Zambian region range slightly from what we are used to in the UK and Europe, with the most important element being the water levels and rainfall. The water levels of Victoria Falls hugely impact the types of activities you can get up to on your luxury tour, but of course, temperatures also affect the quality of your trip. Let's take a look at the best time to visit Victoria Falls according to the rain-centric season system. 

Green Season in Victoria Falls (December-April)

As this part of Southern Africa reaches its hot, summer period, Victoria Falls experiences humid conditions and a period of heavy rainfall. With frequent afternoon thunderstorms and morning showers, the Zambezi River swells and the waterfall produces a heavy spray, with an overall more dramatic appearance. During the "Green Season" and Rainy Season, Victoria Falls looks incredible, but its mists may obscure views.

Victoria Falls' surroundings flourish as a result of the heavy rainfall and spray from the cascades, while migratory birds arrive in early summer, making the Green Season a great time to visit for bird watchers. While water-based activities like rafting and river cruises are less accessible, the spray towards the end of the season creates great opportunities for photography. The famous lunar rainbow is also more visible during this period, best observed during a full moon.

The beginning of the Green Season, around December to February, sees high temperatures which may make long walks challenging and risk sun exposure. However, the latter months of the season cool down to the mid-20s Celsius, with much less rainfall between during March and April.

Shoulder Season/High Water Season in Victoria Falls (May-June)

From the end of April through til mid-June, water levels remain high in Victoria Falls while temperatures cool to a milder, more comfortable degree. The waterfall still produces a powerful spray, with mist obscuring photography and views from many ground-level viewpoints but offering a spectacular vista from a higher point. The vegetation surrounding the falls remains luscious, as well as being more accessible due to the reduction in rainfall. 

Many consider this period to be the best time to see Victoria Falls, as the rainy season has come to a close while the falls magnificence is at its peak. The continued high water levels means more water spills over the edge of the falls. Meanwhile however, activities like swimming in the Devil's Pool and white water rafting are still unavailable due to high water levels. Temperatures during this shoulder season drop slightly, edging towards the low 20s Celsius as Zimbabwe and Zambia enter their winter periods.

The high water shoulder season feels the benefits of the long, rainy season with vibrant, green surroundings.

Dry Season in Victoria Falls (June-August)

As June continues, Southeast Africa sees its winter season approaching, meaning cooler temperatures and dry conditions for all visiting Victoria Falls. As a result of the dry conditions, water levels have almost fully receded, meaning Vic Falls produces less spray and mist during this period, improving visibility for keen photographers. A calmer waterfall is preferred by many as this opens up more opportunities for activities like river cruises in the Zambezi, while helicopter tours over the top of the waterfall offer better views during this time.

The dry season is the best time to visit Victoria Falls for those looking to spot wildlife, as land animals tend to congregate at the fewer water sources between June and September. The landmark waterfall is surrounded by scenic national parks like Victoria Falls National Park, Zambezi National Park, and Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park in Zambia. Zambezi is one of our favourites, just a 15-minute drive from Victoria Falls town and is home to the Big 5, along with zebras, giraffes, and over 400 species of bird, often intertwined with exhilarating tours of the falls.

Towards the end of this season, the water levels are safe enough for immersive activities like swimming in Devil's Pool, while pleasant temperatures foster comfortable conditions for walking and exploring. Livingstone Island also opens up during this time, as water levels recede. Depending on what time of the dry season you visit, expect temperatures between 15 and 25 degrees Celsius.

Get in Touch and speak to one of our Luxury Africa Specialists to discuss your Victoria Falls plans:

Shoulder Season/Low Water Season in Victoria Falls (September-November)

As September begins, temperatures are already beginning to rise, reaching the scorching 30s Celsius by the end of the season. While these heats make hiking and exploring challenging, the high visibility of Victoria Falls during this time makes the views well worth it! The flow of the Zambezi River is at its most diminished, with the falls spraying minimal mist, revealing the magnificent landmark's impressive geological formations.

As the waterfall is at its calmest, this is an ideal time for you to immerse yourself in the region's most thrilling activities which make the most of the Zambezi's immaculate waters. Head on a white water rafting tour in the Zambezi, floating past amazing views of Victoria Falls and enjoying adrenaline inducing class 4 and 5 rapids. The low water season is also the best time to visit Livingstone Island, a beautiful, safe spot on the edge of the Zambian side of the waterfall. Here, you can swim in the low waters of Devil's Pool, gazing at the gorge below, and learn about the fascinating history of the spot from which David Livingstone first viewed the falls.

White water rafting is one of the best things to do at Victoria Falls during its low water season.

Combining your Victoria Falls holiday 

Namibia, Botswana & Victoria Falls Holidays

On our Namibia, Chobe and Victoria Falls self-drive holiday, you’ll explore the world-famous sand dunes in the Namib Desert, visit seal colonies on the Skeleton Coast and search for desert-dwelling elephants in Damaraland, before driving north and entering the lush Caprivi Strip - a narrow stretch of land wedged between Angola, Botswana, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

You’ll then cross into Botswana for a safari in the famous Chobe Game Reserve and then you’ll drive into Zimbabwe, where you can enjoy adventure activities and exciting experiences in the Victoria Falls area. This holiday can be tailor made to suit your personal preferences and you can certainly spend more time at Victoria Falls if you wish.

South Africa & Victoria Falls Holidays

Victoria Falls can also be combined with a South Africa tailor made holiday, as there are daily direct flights between Johannesburg (JNB) and Victoria Falls (VFA). This is a fantastic option for those who would like to experience a classic safari in Kruger National Park combined with viewings of the majestic Victoria Falls. Take a look at our Cape Town, Kruger and Victoria Falls holiday for inspiration.

Zambia Victoria Falls Holidays

With a foot in both Zambia and Zimbabwe, Victoria Falls is the perfect addition to a Zambia safari itinerary, with time in the town of Livingstone, at the falls and at the national parks nearby. Many of our suggested itineraries feature time in Victoria Falls, including our Classic Zambia Safari & Victoria Falls tour, Zambia Family Safari Holiday, Zambia Honeymoon, Zambia Luxury Tour and Zambia Off the Beaten Track.

With so many things to do at Victoria Falls, it's easy to see why these enchanting waterfalls have been granted UNESCO World Heritage status, as well as a coveted place as one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. 

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