The Local's Guide: Best Time to Visit Victoria Falls

Planning a trip to Victoria Falls is one of the most exciting travel bookings you will ever make. But depending on the month you choose to visit, you will witness a completely different destination.

High Water Season (March to May)

This is when the Zambezi River is swollen with floodwaters from the Angolan highlands. The falls are at their most powerful, throwing up a spray that can be seen from 30 kilometers away. Standing on the rainforest trail, you will be absolutely drenched in seconds—it is a sensory overload of noise and mist. The downside? The spray is so thick that it is often difficult to see the basalt rock structure itself, and white water rafting is closed due to dangerous water levels.

Low Water Season (September to December)

By October, the water level drops. The Zambezi becomes clear and calm. The Zambian side of the falls dries up almost completely, exposing the sheer rock face. This is the only time you can swim in the legendary Devil's Pool—a natural rock pool right on the edge of the precipice. It is also peak white water rafting season, as the rapids become safer and more technical.

The Sweet Spot: June to August

For most travelers, this is the perfect time. The spray is magnificent but not blinding. The days are clear and warm, while the nights are cool and mosquito-free. Wildlife viewing in nearby Chobe and Hwange is also spectacular as animals gather around waterholes.