Weather & when to go in Zambia

If you want to spot wildlife, August to October is the best time to visit, though an average of around 32°C (89°F) during the day by the end of that period, especially in low-lying areas - which includes the major national parks. If you want cooler weather and greener landscapes, visit during the cool, dry months of May to August.

Zambia's altitude creates a temperate climate. There are three distinct seasons: the dry season (mid-April to August), when temperatures drop at night and the landscape is green and lush; the hot season (September to mid-November), which is the best time to see wildlife as flora is sparse; and the wet season (mid-November to mid-April). Temperatures climb up to 29 to 30°C (84-86°F) during the day with quite cold nights throughout the year. Overall temperatures are slightly cooler in the middle of the year, which, along with sparse rainfall, make things quite pleasant.

Most popular time to visit:

Jan – Feb. Most people find the hot, dry weather during this time the most pleasant in comparison to the rest of the year’s weather.

November - December is the best time for bird-watchers, although conditions are good year-round.

Good time to visit:

August - October is the best time to visit for viewing wildlife but it is warm (32°C / 89°F)

Worst time to visit:

November - April rainy season some national parks are closed, and animals are harder to spot because of the lush vegetation, although the lodges that remain open offer very attractive rates and you have the parks virtually to yourself. Getting around at this time is also harder as many rural roads become impassable rivers of mud.

Best things to do in Zambia

1. White water raft the mighty Zambezi
   
2. Get the adrenalin going on an abseil down gorge’s sheer cliffs 
   
3.  Zip line across the gorge
   
4.  See the powerful falls  and witness the smoke that thunders
   
5.  Bungee off Vic Falls Bridge (all 111 metres)
   
6.  Enjoy a sundowner and snacks on a Zambezi Boat Cruise
   
7.  Sore through the skies on a Microlight over the falls

Areas of interest in Zambia

South Luangwa National Park

For scenery, variety of animals, accessibility and choice of accommodation, South Luangwa is the best park in Zambia and one of the most majestic in Africa. Amongst the varied terrain of dense woodland, oxbow pools and open grassy plains lurk beasts of all shapes and sizes, from massive elephants to pesky tsetse flies. Take precautions against malaria.

South Luangwa is where walking safaris (Jun-Sep) began. Being in the park, on foot, with the wildlife all around, is a truly exhilarating experience. Despite its many charms, South Luangwa attracts far fewer visitors than other African parks, especially during the wet season, making it all the more attractive. (Note that lots of wild animals in this area makes walking around at night very dangerous.)

Most of park is inaccessible Nov-Apr (especially Feb & Mar), so many lodges close at this time.

Livingstone

Livingstone sprang up when the Zambezi Gorge was first bridged in 1904. Tourists were among the first to cross the bridge, and Livingstone remained a tourism hub for the next 70 years until it was eclipsed by Zimbabwe's Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe in the 1970s, so it's no tourist trap.

Anyone who knows their narrow-gauge from their standard should drop into the Railway Museum, a few hundred metres west of Livingstone's train station. The rag-tag collection of old engines and rolling stock will warm a rail buff's heart, but to someone else it might look like a rusty pile of junk.

Kafue National Park

Covering more than 22,500 sq km (8687 sq mi), this is the largest park in Zambia and one of the biggest in the world. With terrain ranging from the lush riverine forest of the Kafue River to the vast grassland of the Busanga Plains, the park rewards wildlife enthusiasts with glimpses of various carnivores and their nimble prey.

The main road between Lusaka and Mongu runs though the park, dividing it into northern and southern sectors. (You don't pay park fees if you're in transit.) There are several gates, but three main ones: Nalusanga Gate along the eastern boundary, for the northern sector; Musa Gate, near the New Kalala Camp, for the southern sector; and Tatayoyo Gate, for either sector if you're coming from the west.

Rangers are stationed at the two park headquarters: at Chunga Camp and another 8km south of Musa Gate. Some lodges/camps arrange walking safaris, but visitors are not allowed to walk in the park without an armed ranger. Most guests feel safer exploring the park in a 4WD, during a day or night wildlife drive, or by boat.

Victoria Falls

The Victoria Falls are one of the world's most spectacular plunges. The 2km(1.2mi)-wide Zambezi River drops more than 100m (328ft) into a steeply-walled gorge. The Zambian side of Victoria Falls has long played second fiddle to its better-known Zimbabwean counterpart, but trouble next door means Livingstone is positively booming.

For close-up views of the Eastern Cataract, nothing beats the hair-raising (and hair-wetting) walk across the footbridge, through swirling clouds of mist, to a sheer buttress called the Knife Edge. If the water is low and the wind favourable, you'll be treated to a magnificent view of the falls and the yawning abyss below the Zambezi Bridge. Adrenaline junkies can indulge in white-water rafting, abseiling, river-boating, jet-boating, bungee jumping and a host of airborne activities. At certain times of year it is even possible to visit Livingstone Island and swim at the very edge of the Falls, though sadly it's no longer free. Don't get so caught up with activities that you miss one of the most spectacular waterfalls in the world.

Recent history of Zambia

Despite fears that Chiluba would overstay his welcome, he was replaced at the December 2001 elections. His party, the MUD, was not. Chiluba's hand-picked successor Levy Mwanawasa won the vote, amid opposition claims of electoral fraud.

Despite the political chaos, the election, however flawed, returned one of the most broadly based democratic parliaments the country has seen, putting an end to the rubber-stamp, one-party system that has ruled since independence. Equally refreshing was Mwanawasa's decision to pursue corrupt officials, a campaign that would eventually focus on Chiliba himself, even though the former president was immune from prosecution.

Highlights of Zambia

1. White water raft the mighty Zambezi
2. Get the adrenalin going on an abseil down gorge’s sheer cliffs 
3. Zip line across the gorge
4. See the powerful falls  and witness the smoke that thunders
5. Bungee off Vic Falls Bridge (all 111 metres)
6. Enjoy a sundowner on a Zambezi Boat Cruise
7. Soar through the skies on a Microlight over Vic Falls

Quick facts of Zambia

Full name:

Republic of Zambia

Capital city:

Lusaka

Area:

752,600 sq km; 290,579 sq miles

Population:

11,200,000

Time Zone:

GMT/UTC +2 ()

Languages:

English (official); Bemba (other)

Religion:

Electricity:

230V 50HzHz

Electric Plug Details

British-style plug: 2 flat blades & 1 flat grounding blade
European plug with two circular metal pins
South African/Indian-style plug with two circular metal pins above a large circular grounding pin

Plug configuration

Country Dialling Code:

Visa Details:

Money matters

Medical matters

1. Cholera
2. Malaria
3. Typhoid
4. Yellow fever
5. HIV/AIDS

Getting there

Europe has frequent air connections with Zambia. British Airways, KLM and Air France all have regular services to Lusaka. African carriers flying to the capital include Air Zimbabwe, Ethiopian Airways, Kenya Airways and South African Airways. Lusaka Airport is 20km (12miles) east of the centre.

South African budget airlines fly to Livingstone and Lusaka from Johannesburg - Nationwide has the most flights.

The most fabulous way of entering Zambia by road is over the Victoria Falls Bridge from Zimbabwe.

From Malawi, the main crossing point is east of Chipata, on the main road between Lusaka and Lilongwe. The only crossing point between Zambia and Botswana is the ferry across the Zambezi River at Kazungula, about 60km (37mi) west of Victoria Falls, though there are plans to build a bridge here.

Safety in Zambia

Travellers are advised to avoid the areas bordering the Democratic Republic of Congo and Angola due to the possibility of cross-border conflict and the high risk of landmines. Pay attention to any local advice regarding areas to avoid.

In June 2007 a measles outbreak was reported in Kaputa, Mazabuka, Mbala, Chibombo and Chinsali. Travellers should ensure they have received the correct vaccinations before visiting these areas.