January - March

January is the peak of the rainy season and is a time of heavy summer rainfall. This is not considered the best time to visit Zambia because the roadways are often flooded and some of the camps are closed.

February is very similar to January with short, heavy thunderstorms and flooded roadways across the safari parks. Fly-in safaris are the best way to experience Zambia’s wet, emerald season and although not all lodges remain open, a few in the South Luangwa National Park offer excellent boating safaris at this time of year.

The wet season is nearing an end by March but there’s still plenty of rainfall, especially in the north of the country. This is a great time to visit Zambia for birdwatching, as thousands of migratory species begin to take flight for their annual migration. March is a great month for a lower Zambezi River cruise, and when Victoria Falls is at its fullest, but best seen from the skies in a helicopter or microlight – unless you don’t mind getting soaked by the spray.

Animals are harder to find during these wet months because they no longer rely on rivers and waterholes to drink.