The Best Time to Visit Victoria Falls in 2023

Victoria Falls is a UNESCO world heritage site. It’s like a natural curtain falling from the ground 354 feet into a deep dark gorge below. Most people never forget the adrenaline rush they get upon visiting this glorious location.

If you are looking for an out-of-the-box destination to visit on your next vacation, these gorgeous falls are a must-see. There are countless exploration opportunities and interesting activities for the typical adventurer.

Victoria Falls is a breathtaking waterfall 5,604 feet wide, dividing Africa’s Zimbabwe and Zambia. It’s important to plan your trip to the Falls around a time of the year when you’ll get the most out of your holiday.

Read on for a detailed look into the best and worst times to visit Victoria Falls and tips to help you prepare — let us be your guide!

Why You Should Visit Victoria Falls

You’ve probably visited several vacation spots that were worth every dime, but you now want something different. Victoria Falls (commonly listed as one of the best places to see in South Africa) is a worthwhile idea, especially considering there’s nowhere else in the world where you can see such a phenomenon.

It’s a blood-rushing experience that will leave any adrenaline-junky mind blown! It’s a thrilling experience that exposes you to a new way of vacationing. It’s not the typical lay-back-and-unwind time away from your normal routine.

A visit to Victoria Falls is quite the opposite!

There are plenty of physical activities, including safaris to watch the wild animals, rafting in the Zambezi river, and swimming in the natural rock pools. Below is a comprehensive breakdown of what to expect out of your trip and the best seasons to visit Victoria Falls.

Overall Best Time to Visit Victoria Falls

The period between March and May is the best overall time to visit Victoria Falls. This is when you’ll witness the power and sheer force of the Falls. This time window allows visitors to experience maximum fun during their vacation.

Zimbabwe is a very hot country, especially in the areas close to Victoria Falls. It gets cooler in the evening, but people visiting from colder countries in the Northern Hemisphere may still find the evenings too hot.

During March and May, the weather is warm/moderate enough for vacationers looking to escape their cold countries. The best thing about Visiting Victoria Falls in this period is that the waters are high.

May marks the end of the rainy season, which begins in November and ends in February. This means that the Falls are dramatic and massive because the water volume is at its highest.

As a result, more water crushes into the gorge. You can do Kayaking and water rafting, escape to take a rainforest walk, and go on wild safaris to explore animals in their natural habitat. Note that the Zambezi National Park may be closed temporarily due to heavy rains.

The heavy rains tend to drench the foot trails and roads used to access the park, thus creating a hazard for people trying to force their way to the Falls.

Victoria Falls has plenty to offer all year round. However, if you prefer not to gamble and want to experience the best of Zimbabwe’s pride and joy, the overall best time to visit is from March to May.

Cheapest Time to Visit Victoria Falls

The cheapest time to visit Victoria Falls is from January to February. This is when The Falls get the least number of visitors because the weather isn’t as favorable as the rest of the year.

The showers could go on for the entire day, with massive cloud coverage. You may still visit Zambia and Zimbabwe to see the Falls between Jan and Feb, but the park will restrict people from going near the Falls’ edge because the water may be strong enough to sweep people away.

Due to limited visibility from massive cloud cover, you may not see the entire breadth of the Falls at a go. While there’s more Victoria Falls and its surroundings can offer, significantly fewer people visit the Falls.

At this time, the Zambezi River wells up, creating ideal grounds for water-based activities. It’s cheapest to visit the Falls at the beginning of the year because you’ll enjoy affordable hotel and accommodation rates and pay lower access fees to Victoria Falls.

Plus, you’ll get to choose from a wide array of flight deals which are significantly more favorable than the deals you’ll get if you visit the Falls during peak season.

Least Busy Time to Visit Victoria Falls

The period between August or September and December is the least busy time to visit Victoria Falls. It’s the last quarter of the year, and it’s been ages since it last rained.

The beauty of Victoria Falls is in the amount of water rushing down the gorge. Unfortunately, the water levels are pretty low between September and December, so the Falls are a mere illusion of what you see in pictures online.

During this period, The Falls welcome handfuls of visitors who generally want to see other places in Zambia or Zimbabwe and see the Falls as a stop-over on their way elsewhere.

Some people seize the opportunity to get as close as possible to the edge of the Falls to try and look down at the gorge, a somewhat natural infinity pool.

There are many viewpoints, but the Devil’s pool is the safest area to get close to the edge. Provided you take caution to avoid slipping, you’ll get the best selfies at this spot without the danger of being washed away by swelling waters.

This period is also when visitors can explore the river and engage in water-sporting activities like white-water rafting, which may otherwise be unavailable during the high season.

It’s also the best time to watch wildlife because they’ll come to the watering holes to quench their thirst. You could take game drive safaris to see incredible views of wild animals and other natural beauties.

You can also see the bedrock of the Falls and not worry about your clothes getting wet from the water spray as you venture on an interesting forest walk. If you crave the rush of adrenalin, this is the best time to visit Victoria Falls.

Worst Time to Visit Victoria Falls

The worst time to visit Victoria Falls is between June and August. June, July, and August are the equivalent of winter in Zimbabwe. Winter here doesn’t mean heavy jackets, gloves, and tons of snow.

It may be cooler than the other seasons in the year but not nearly as uncomfortable as it would be for you if you’re a visitor from Europe or the US. It’s relatively warm during the day.

However, it’s advisable to carry warm clothing to keep you snug at night. This is when flight fees are the lowest, and you can get the best accommodation deals from hotels.

If you’re a daredevil who doesn’t mind the cold or can forego the splendor of the Falls, consider traveling during this season. Victoria Falls can get rainy during the cold season but not nearly as heavy as the torrential downpour likely to happen from November to March.

When it’s cold, there are random showers and cloudy skies. The sun may peek out on and off during the day, but the low temperatures are constant. Certainly, Victoria Falls is worth visiting, irrespective of the season or time of year.

In fact, while June to August is considered the worst time to visit these Falls, this is the ideal time to view the Falls and engage in water-based activities before the waters swell up again.

Things to Consider

Below are a few things you should consider before visiting Victoria Falls:

• Entrance fees vary. Park entry charges vary depending on your nationality.
• Carry cash. The park has card machines, but it’s advisable to carry cash in USD to pay for services and buy stuff.
• Risk of contracting Malaria. Avoid staying out too late at night because of the many mosquitoes.
• You can see the Falls either from Zimbabwe or Zambia. Sixteen viewpoints of Victoria Falls are in Zimbabwe. But if you want to see the Falls from a different angle, you could view them from the four viewpoints in Zambia.
• You might need to purchase a visa upon entering Zambia or Zimbabwe. Depending on your passport specifications and which country you come from, you may be asked to purchase a visa at the point of entry.
• Take a helicopter ride for a panoramic view of the Falls. Flying over Victoria Falls is an exciting chance to view the Falls in one glance.
• Keep time. In the summer (September to April), Zambezi park opens at 06.00 am and closes at 6.00 pm. During winter (May to August), the park opens at 06.30 am and closes at 6.00 pm.
• Dress appropriately. For the most part, Victoria Falls remains hot all year round. Wearing tight clothing puts you at risk of heatstroke.
• Hydrate often. Failure to take enough water may leave you severely dehydrated to the point of needing medical assistance.
• Put on sunglasses. The sun is hot and incredibly bright in Victoria Falls. Considering you’ll be spending plenty of time discovering the area, putting on your sunglasses protects your eyes and keeps splashing droplets from entering your eye.
• Use a waterproof phone case. During peak season, there’s plenty of backsplash from the Falls. If your phone isn’t water resistant, carry a waterproof phone case to take pictures without the risk of damaging your phone.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are the commonly asked questions about the best time to visit Victoria Falls:

So, What’s the Best Time to Visit Victoria Falls?

Ready for the rubber to hit the road? Above is everything you need to know about the best times to visit Victoria Falls. You’ll also find useful tips to keep in mind as you plan your trip. So what are you waiting for — book your trip to these gorgeous falls today!