Zimbabwe’s climate varies significantly by region and altitude. This guide provides detailed weather information to help you plan your visit and pack appropriately.
General Rule: Zimbabwe sits on a high plateau (1,200-1,600m), giving it a more moderate climate than you might expect from a tropical African country. The Eastern Highlands are cooler and wetter, while the lowveld areas are hotter and drier.
Climate Overview Zimbabwe’s Seasons
Three Main Seasons Season Months Characteristics Hot Wet (Summer) November-March Rains, hot, humid, green landscapes Cool Dry (Winter) April-August Dry, cool to warm days, cold nights Hot Dry September-October Very hot, dry, excellent game viewing
Key Points:
Rains come as afternoon thunderstorms, not all-day rain
Winter nights can be surprisingly cold (near freezing in highlands)
Dry season offers best game viewing as animals gather at water
Green season has lush landscapes and baby animals
Victoria Falls & Zambezi Valley Victoria Falls
Victoria Falls Climate Elevation: ~900mMonth Avg High Avg Low Rainfall Conditions January 30°C (86°F) 19°C (66°F) 170mm Hot, wet, falls at peak February 29°C (84°F) 19°C (66°F) 140mm Hot, wet, falls spectacular March 29°C (84°F) 18°C (64°F) 80mm Warm, rains ending April 28°C (82°F) 15°C (59°F) 20mm Pleasant, falls at highest May 26°C (79°F) 11°C (52°F) 5mm Cool, dry, excellent June 24°C (75°F) 8°C (46°F) 0mm Cool days, cold nights July 24°C (75°F) 7°C (45°F) 0mm Dry, pleasant days August 27°C (81°F) 10°C (50°F) 0mm Warming up, very dry September 31°C (88°F) 15°C (59°F) 5mm Hot, dry, low water levels October 33°C (91°F) 19°C (66°F) 30mm Very hot, falls at lowest November 32°C (90°F) 19°C (66°F) 100mm Hot, rains beginning December 30°C (86°F) 19°C (66°F) 150mm Hot, wet, falls rebuilding
Best Time to Visit:
For the falls: February-May (highest water)For activities: May-August (comfortable, dry)For photography: August-September (clear skies, lower spray)Budget travelers: November-March (green season discounts) What to Pack:
Light layers year-round
Waterproof jacket (for falls spray or rain)
Warm layer for evening cruises (May-August)
Sun protection always
Mana Pools & Lower Zambezi
Zambezi Valley Climate Elevation: ~350-500m (lowveld—much hotter)Month Avg High Avg Low Rainfall Notes January-March 35-38°C (95-100°F) 22-24°C Heavy Very hot, humid, parks closed April 34°C (93°F) 19°C Light Cooling, roads drying May-July 28-30°C (82-86°F) 12-15°C None Pleasant, excellent August 32°C (90°F) 15°C None Warming, game concentrates September 36°C (97°F) 19°C None Hot, exceptional game October 40°C+ (104°F+) 24°C Light Extreme heat, game at water November 38°C (100°F) 23°C Building Very hot, rains approaching
Important Notes:
Mana Pools typically closes January-March (roads impassable)
September-October: temperatures can exceed 40°C
October game viewing is exceptional despite heat
Mornings are best; afternoons require heat tolerance
What to Pack:
Very light, breathable clothing
Multiple layers of sunscreen
Wide-brimmed hat
Lots of water containers
Light long sleeves (sun protection)
Hwange National Park
Hwange Climate Elevation: ~1,000mMonth Avg High Avg Low Rainfall Wildlife Viewing January 31°C (88°F) 18°C (64°F) 150mm Good, green, animals dispersed February 30°C (86°F) 18°C (64°F) 130mm Green, good birdwatching March 30°C (86°F) 16°C (61°F) 70mm Rains ending, lush April 28°C (82°F) 13°C (55°F) 20mm Excellent, dry starting May 26°C (79°F) 9°C (48°F) 5mm Excellent, cool mornings June 23°C (73°F) 5°C (41°F) 0mm Excellent, cold mornings July 23°C (73°F) 5°C (41°F) 0mm Excellent, coldest month August 26°C (79°F) 8°C (46°F) 0mm Excellent, warming September 31°C (88°F) 13°C (55°F) 5mm Exceptional, hot October 34°C (93°F) 18°C (64°F) 30mm Exceptional, animals at waterholes November 32°C (90°F) 18°C (64°F) 80mm Good, first rains, animals moving December 30°C (86°F) 18°C (64°F) 130mm Good, green season begins
Seasonal Highlights:
Dry Season (May-October): Animals concentrate at pumped waterholes—spectacular viewingJune-July: Large elephant herds at waterholesSeptember-October: Peak game viewing, predator activity highNovember-March: Green season, baby animals, migrant birds What to Pack:
Warm fleece/jacket (winter mornings can be near freezing)
Layers for fluctuating temperatures
Neutral-colored safari wear
Dust protection (very dusty in dry season)
Harare & Central Plateau
Harare Climate Elevation: ~1,500mMonth Avg High Avg Low Rainfall Notes January 26°C (79°F) 16°C (61°F) 196mm Rainy, warm, afternoon storms February 26°C (79°F) 16°C (61°F) 178mm Rainy, warm March 26°C (79°F) 15°C (59°F) 98mm Rains tapering April 25°C (77°F) 12°C (54°F) 36mm Pleasant, dry May 23°C (73°F) 9°C (48°F) 8mm Pleasant, cool mornings June 21°C (70°F) 6°C (43°F) 3mm Cool, dry July 21°C (70°F) 6°C (43°F) 1mm Cool, dry August 24°C (75°F) 8°C (46°F) 1mm Warming, dry September 27°C (81°F) 12°C (54°F) 7mm Warm, dry October 29°C (84°F) 15°C (59°F) 30mm Hot, storms building November 27°C (81°F) 16°C (61°F) 97mm Rains begin December 26°C (79°F) 16°C (61°F) 182mm Rainy season
Notes:
Very pleasant year-round due to altitude
Winter (May-August) requires warm layers for morning/evening
Rain comes as afternoon thunderstorms (often dramatic, brief)
Jacaranda trees bloom September-October
What to Pack:
Light layers for daytime
Warm jacket for winter evenings
Umbrella or rain jacket (November-March)
Business attire if working
Bulawayo & Matobo Hills
Bulawayo Region Climate Elevation: ~1,350mMonth Avg High Avg Low Rainfall Notes January 28°C (82°F) 17°C (63°F) 130mm Warm, rainy February 27°C (81°F) 17°C (63°F) 100mm Warm, rainy March 27°C (81°F) 15°C (59°F) 60mm Rains ending April 26°C (79°F) 12°C (54°F) 20mm Pleasant May 24°C (75°F) 8°C (46°F) 5mm Cool mornings June 21°C (70°F) 5°C (41°F) 0mm Cold mornings July 22°C (72°F) 5°C (41°F) 0mm Cold mornings August 25°C (77°F) 8°C (46°F) 0mm Warming September 28°C (82°F) 12°C (54°F) 5mm Warm October 31°C (88°F) 16°C (61°F) 25mm Hot November 30°C (86°F) 17°C (63°F) 70mm Storms begin December 28°C (82°F) 17°C (63°F) 110mm Rainy
Matobo Hills:
Similar to Bulawayo but can be slightly cooler
Rock formations create microclimates
Best hiking weather: April-September
Wildflowers after rains (January-March)
Eastern Highlands Nyanga, Mutare & Chimanimani
Eastern Highlands Climate Elevation: 1,200-2,500mMonth Avg High (Nyanga) Avg Low Rainfall Conditions January 21°C (70°F) 13°C (55°F) 280mm Wet, cool, misty February 21°C (70°F) 13°C (55°F) 240mm Wet, cool March 21°C (70°F) 12°C (54°F) 150mm Rains easing April 20°C (68°F) 10°C (50°F) 50mm Pleasant, clearing May 18°C (64°F) 7°C (45°F) 15mm Cool, dry June 16°C (61°F) 4°C (39°F) 10mm Cold, frost possible July 16°C (61°F) 4°C (39°F) 8mm Cold, frost, clear August 18°C (64°F) 6°C (43°F) 5mm Cool, dry, clear September 21°C (70°F) 9°C (48°F) 15mm Warming October 22°C (72°F) 11°C (52°F) 50mm Warm, storms starting November 21°C (70°F) 12°C (54°F) 150mm Wet, green December 21°C (70°F) 13°C (55°F) 260mm Wet, lush
Key Points:
Coolest region in Zimbabwe—feels like European spring/fall
Mountain peaks can have frost any time May-August
Mist and rain common, especially summer
Pack for all conditions—weather changes quickly
Waterfalls best January-April (high water)
What to Pack:
Warm fleece/jacket (essential year-round)
Waterproof layers
Good hiking boots
Layers for changing conditions
Rain gear November-March
Gonarezhou & Lowveld
Lowveld Climate Elevation: ~300-600mMonth Avg High Avg Low Rainfall Notes January 34°C (93°F) 22°C (72°F) 150mm Very hot, humid February 33°C (91°F) 22°C (72°F) 130mm Hot, wet March 32°C (90°F) 20°C (68°F) 80mm Hot, rains ending April 30°C (86°F) 17°C (63°F) 25mm Comfortable May 27°C (81°F) 12°C (54°F) 10mm Pleasant June 25°C (77°F) 9°C (48°F) 5mm Pleasant, cool mornings July 25°C (77°F) 9°C (48°F) 0mm Pleasant August 28°C (82°F) 12°C (54°F) 0mm Warming September 32°C (90°F) 17°C (63°F) 10mm Hot October 35°C (95°F) 21°C (70°F) 35mm Very hot November 34°C (93°F) 22°C (72°F) 80mm Hot, storms December 34°C (93°F) 22°C (72°F) 120mm Hot, wet
Notes:
Significantly hotter than the plateau
Best visited April-September
October-November extremely hot
Malaria risk higher year-round
Lake Kariba
Kariba Climate Elevation: ~500mMonth Avg High Avg Low Rainfall Notes January-March 32-35°C (90-95°F) 22-24°C 150-180mm Hot, humid, stormy April-May 30-32°C (86-90°F) 18-20°C 10-25mm Pleasant, cooling June-August 26-28°C (79-82°F) 14-17°C 0mm Pleasant, cool evenings September-October 32-38°C (90-100°F) 22-26°C 5-30mm Very hot November-December 34-36°C (93-97°F) 23-25°C 80-150mm Hot, storms building
Houseboat Notes:
Water provides cooling effect
Breezes make it bearable even in heat
September-October challenging on shore
May-August ideal for houseboating
Great Zimbabwe & Masvingo
Masvingo Region Climate Elevation: ~1,100mMonth Avg High Avg Low Rainfall Notes January-March 28-30°C (82-86°F) 17-18°C 100-150mm Warm, wet April-May 25-27°C (77-81°F) 12-14°C 20-30mm Pleasant June-August 22-24°C (72-75°F) 7-10°C 0-5mm Cool mornings September-October 28-32°C (82-90°F) 14-18°C 10-40mm Warming November-December 29-30°C (84-86°F) 17-18°C 80-120mm Hot, rainy
Best for Ruins:
April-September (dry, comfortable temperatures)
Early morning visits year-round
Shade limited at ruins—bring sun protection
What to Pack by Season Dry Season (May-October) Must Have:
Warm fleece or jacket (mornings and evenings can be cold)
Light layers for daytime
Long sleeves (sun protection and warmth)
Closed shoes for walking safaris
Dust-resistant bag covers
Safari Specific:
Neutral colors (khaki, olive, brown)
Avoid bright white (scares animals)
Avoid dark blue/black (attracts tsetse flies)
Binoculars
Camera with dust protection
Wet Season (November-April) Must Have:
Lightweight, quick-dry clothing
Waterproof jacket or poncho
Umbrella
Waterproof bag for electronics
Insect repellent (mosquitoes more active)
Antimalarial medication
Photography:
Dramatic skies for photos
Waterproof camera bag
Lens cleaning kit
Quick Climate Comparison Region Hottest Coolest Wettest Driest Victoria Falls Oct (33°C) Jul (24°C) Jan (170mm) Jun-Aug (0mm) Hwange Oct (34°C) Jun-Jul (23°C) Jan (150mm) Jun-Aug (0mm) Mana Pools Oct (40°C+) Jul (28°C) Jan (180mm) Jun-Sep (0mm) Harare Oct (29°C) Jun-Jul (21°C) Jan (196mm) Jul (1mm) Eastern Highlands Oct (22°C) Jun-Jul (16°C) Dec-Jan (260-280mm) Aug (5mm) Kariba Oct (38°C) Jul (26°C) Jan (180mm) Jun-Aug (0mm)
Best Times by Activity
Activity-Based Planning Activity Best Months Reason Safari (general) May-October Dry, animals concentrated Victoria Falls February-May Peak water flow Bird Watching November-April Migrant birds, breeding Walking Safari May-August Cool, comfortable Photography September-October Clear skies, dramatic scenes Canoeing May-October River levels good, pleasant Hiking April-September Dry, clear, comfortable Fishing September-December Tigerfishing season Budget Travel November-April Green season discounts
Weather Resources:
Zimbabwe Meteorological Services - Official forecastsAsk your lodge for local conditions
Pack layers—Zimbabwe weather can change quickly
Always carry sun protection regardless of season
Last updated: January 2025 Climate data is based on historical averages. Actual conditions may vary. Climate change is affecting weather patterns globally. 
