Straddling two Southern African countries and consistently lauded as one of the bucket list items to tick off on any African itinerary, it’s no surprise there are countless reasons why Victoria Falls is considered Africa’s greatest natural wonder. Travellers venture from all over the globe to marvel at her sheer size and to be doused in the spray of her misty plumes.
That said, any visit to this region can provide distinctly different experiences depending on what period you’re visiting in. Let our experts unpack Victoria Falls in the dry season for you.
When Is It? | Victoria Falls in the Dry Season
The dry season in southern Africa falls mainly between the months of July and December. This is during winter in the southern hemisphere, but the region around Victoria Falls remains dry, warm to hot, and predominantly sunny during these months.
What Can You Do? | Victoria Falls in the Dry Season
July and August
The Falls are at their most spectacular at the beginning of the dry season as the rains have maximised the flow of the Zambezi. This makes for a sensational spectacle as the rushing waters surge over the Falls and into the gorge below. At this time, the sheer power of Victoria Falls is in full ‘view’, making it a superb time of year to enjoy the lunar rainbows that can be found here.
It is worth noting that due to the volume of water passing over them, the Falls themselves are mostly hidden behind plumes of spray. Whitewater rafting resumes around July after being closed for the wet season and Devil’s Pool usually opens for swimming from August.
September and October
These are the months in which activities abound! For adrenalin enthusiasts, white water rafting or a dip in Devil’s Pool is a must. For the truly bold, a 111-metre bungee jump off of the Victoria Falls Bridge will get the pulse racing. This time of year offers fantastic game viewing in the neighbouring parks, and the influx of migrant birds to the region douses them with an array of colours. October is the ideal month for Victoria Falls sunsets. Comfortable temperatures, fewer mosquitoes and just enough dust to create spectacular orange skies, combine for the perfect end to the day. This is also a wonderful time of year to take a flight in a helicopter or microlight and enjoy Victoria Falls in all their glory from above.
November – December
The dry season has been in full swing for some months now and water levels in the region are at their lowest. The weather is also hot and humid with the wet season slowly starting to become visible. This time of year is a great period in which to get clear views of the Victoria Falls’ cataracts from both Zimbabwe and Zambia‘s sides to the reduced amounts of spray. Depending on the timing and quantity of rainfall, the Zambian side of Victoria Falls may be much drier.
Have you been to Victoria Falls? What was your favourite part of the trip? Let us know in the comments section below!
If you enjoyed this blog, read more about Victoria Falls here: