The Best Time of Year to Visit Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe is a country in southern Africa known for its dramatic landscape and diverse wildlife, much of it within parks, reserves and safari areas. It is one of the countries in the world which boasts of sunshine for more than 320 days per year, and it is possible to visit the country almost all seasons of the year.

Here is a month-by-month guide to the activities to do in the country.

January: The peak of Zimbabwe’s rainy season is in January but they are not good for outdoor activities and camping becomes difficult.
February: This is also a rainy time in Zimbabwe. However, since this month is popularly known as the month of love, most travellers enjoy huge savings, especially on luxury lodges.
March: The rainy season still continues but they are subsiding. This is also the best time of year for bird watching as over 600 migrant and resident species are present.
April: The rainy season is coming to an end and it’s neither too hot nor too cold because of the humidity. April 15–16 marks the annual Jazz Festival in Zimbabwe and famous African musicians take to the stage.
May: The winter season is starting now but do not be afraid, it is like summer in Europe and other Asian countries. There is no snowfall and the temperature rarely drops below 50°F (10°C).
June: This is the coldest month of the year, June is a great time to travel before parks get particularly busy which is usually from July to October.
July: This is the last month of winter in Zimbabwe and the start of a busy season for holidaymakers. The grasses are now less lush and one can spot the wildlife easily. Hotels and safari owners start to increase rates this month. Zimbabwe International Book Fair is in this month and it takes place annually.
August: This is the month when the country commemorates the heroes who died during the fight against colonialism. During the second week of August, there is a long weekend public holiday, and so Zimbabweans use this time to travel around the country.
September: This is when the hot season starts and it is a great time to visit Kariba Dam which provides an opportunity to see wildlife as they come from their natural environment to drink water.
October: This is a good time for mountain climbing in Zimbabwe’s scenic Manicaland Province. The province is home to the highest point in the country which is Zimbabwe’s Inyangani Mountain.
November: This is a sacred month in Zimbabwe. No weddings or other ceremonies are culturally allowed during this month. One of the only events which celebrate traditional cultures in the country is the Jikinya Traditional Dance Festival.
December: December is a month to visit for nightlife. Most international artistes arrive for performances this month. The country is a bit expensive because it is one of the busiest months in Zimbabwe.