The Best Time to Visit Victoria Falls: Your Ultimate Guide 2025
Having trouble deciding the best time to visit Victoria Falls?
My own trip to this incredible spectacle was kind of spur of the moment. I didn’t have the chance to research the best time to go, and still it was breathtaking experience.
But if you’re determined to see the Falls at their best, there are a few things you need to know to plan your trip. That’s what we’ve got here for you
🗓️ Key Take-Away: July and August are the ideal months to get the best views of Victoria Falls. But there are plenty of reasons to choose different times of the year! (Jump to July/August!)
As one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Victoria Falls is absolutely a bucket list destination. But visiting the falls at its peak is a very different experience than seeing it during the lowest point.
In this comprehensive guide to Victoria Falls, we’ll explore the ideal times to experience Victoria Falls in all its glory. Read on for everything you need to know!
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Where is Victoria Falls Located?
The Best Time to Visit Victoria Falls
Victoria Falls is a part of the Zambezi River, the fourth longest river in Africa. The falls create a natural border between two countries – Zimbabwe on the west and Zambia on the east.
About two-thirds of the people who come to see the mammoth cascade do so from Victoria Falls Town in Zimbabwe. The remaining third visit from Livingstone in Zambia.
Whichever country you plan to stay in, here’s what you need to know when planning your perfect trip.
High-Water Season (March – June)
🌤️ Average daytime temps:
March=24ºC, April=23ºC, May=20ºC, June=17ºC
These are the months that the maximum volume of water pours over the cliffs from the Zambezi River. With a drop of up to 108 metres, the drama of the falls at this time of year is outstanding.
Not to mention, around 500 million litres of water pour over Vic Falls every minute. In contrast, it could be as little as 10 million litres per minute at the lowest.
But that doesn’t necessarily mean that this is the best time to view the falls.
This period follows the region’s rainy season, resulting in a thunderous and misty spectacle. So misty, in fact, that the falls themselves can be entirely obscured.
And this isn’t a soft, lightly raining sort of mist. This is a spray you can feel when it hits you. And if you spend any time in it at all, you will get drenched very quickly. Wet weather gear is recommended!
It can be next to impossible to get a good look at this massive curtain of water during these months, and even harder to take a good picture. You may want to plan your visit to Victoria Falls after high-water season.
But if your travels do bring you here during this time, views from the air are at their most dramatic.
🚁 This scenic helicopter flight has been rated 4.5/5 stars by 107 travellers and gives you 12-15 minutes in the air. Find out more and book it here! Or double that time with this flight.
Or if you’d prefer an adventure with a little more adrenaline and fresh air, you might want to give a microlight flight a try. You can soar over the Zambezi River and the gorge below, getting right up close to the falls themselves.
You could even see some iconic African wildlife from up there – rhinos, elephants, crocodiles, and a lot more.
Fun Fact
The name for the falls is
Mosi-oa-Yunya, or
‘The Smoke that Thunders’
in local Sotho language
💦 Things To Do In Victoria Falls: High-Water Season
- book a full day of Victoria Falls activities: a tour of the falls, a crafts market, a sunset cruise, dinner and a show, and more.
- a rainforest walk in Victoria Falls National Park, on the Zimbabwean side of the falls. Along the path, you can see Rainbow, Main, and Horseshoe Falls, as well as the Devil’s Cataract.
- walk the Knife Edge Bridge, aka Victoria Falls Bridge, over the Second Gorge, between Zambia and Zimbabwe. Getting soaked in the spray is a part of the fun!
- from the middle of March to the middle of June, take a dip in Angel’s Pool, on Livingstone Island in the Zambezi River in Zambia.
Fun Fact
The Zimbabwe side
is the best place to see the
sunrise above Victoria Falls
Medium Water Season (July to early August & January to February):
🌤️ Average daytime temps:
July=17ºC, Aug=20ºC, Jan=25ºC, Feb=24ºC
⭐️ Victoria Falls in July and August is absolutely ideal for seeing the falls at the peak of their glory. Dry season is in full swing, and the days are sunny and warm and the nights are cooler.
Plus, the water levels are getting lower, meaning reduced spray, so you’ll have the clearest views of the falls.
There’s still enough spray, though, that you’ll very likely get to witness the ethereal lunar rainbows, also called ‘moonbows’. Mid-morning and mid-afternoon are the best times to see them.
There are even more advantages to choosing July and August to come to Victoria Falls ↴
Safari Time
When the water levels begin to drop at the end of June, wildlife moves in to feed on the lush, newly exposed grass. And in the dry season, water sources for the animals diminish, and they all make use of the remaining few.
Both of these factors make July and August excellent times to add a safari to your trip. Enjoy some of the best of Africa, and combine your visit to Victoria Falls with a safari in one of the nearby national parks.
Hwange National Park in Zimbabwe and Chobe in Botswana are both close to the falls. They each offer unique and unforgettable wildlife experiences.
Imagine going from the world’s largest waterfall to spotting elephants, lions, and leopards.
You can tour both parks as well as the falls in a 6-day trip, or pick one park or the other for an amazing day trip.
Some great trips combining Victoria Falls with other destinations are available. Or you can tour the falls today and spend the full day tomorrow on safari. Hwange has one of the densest concentrations of wildlife in Africa, so sightings are incredible.
Chobe Park is a lush, green wildlife wonderland. You can’t go wrong, whichever park you choose.
January and February are the height of the rainy season, still with moderate water levels. Don’t expect sunny skies, and of course, you’ll have rainy days. But the falls will drench you regardless, so why not enjoy it?
Between the clouds and the mist, the area is shrouded in mystical vapours a great deal of the time. The effect is pretty magical – but make sure your camera is moisture-proof!
Through the mist, you’ll get to see the kush, green vegetation, and the stunning rainforest flowers that bloom this time of year. A visit early in the year may be worth it just for them.
💦 Things To Do In Victoria Falls: Medium Water Season
- tour nearby Chobe National Park and Hwange National Park
- take advantage of the excellent photo opportunities in the rainforest surrounding the falls
Fun Fact
The exit gate for the Zambian side is close
enough to the first viewpoint that you’ll be able to
watch the sunset behind the falls and still
make it out of the gate before the park closes.
Low Water Season (September to December ):
🌤️ Average daytime temps:
Sept=25ºC, Oct=27ºC, Nov=27ºC, Dec=25ºC
The falls are much less powerful during this time, as water levels reach their lowest point. You can expect to see the Falls in a different light, but the area is still extraordinary.
As the Zambezi River’s water level recedes, the thunder of the falls becomes a tamer spectacle. There’s an unexpected but really stunning advantage to seeing the falls at their lowest.
You actually get to see the rock formations that are normally hidden under the cascade.
Around October, Victoria Falls is sometimes referred to as the ‘Victoria Wall’, for this reason. It’s the perfect time to explore the gorge at the bottom of the falls.
On the Zambian side – the hike may no longer be available on the Zimbabwean side – take the path down to the Boiling Pot. The Boiling Pot is an enormous natural whirlpool that you shouldn’t miss.
It’s an insanely incredible experience to look up-up-up the wall and realize where you are!
October tends to be the hottest time of the year, so the swim feels great. While 27ºC may not sound that hot, it feels hot. Especially with the humidity in the air.
The occasional thunderstorms add a bit of drama to the landscape now, too. Be sure to check the forecast for storms before you head out to the gorge.
Despite the low water levels on the Zambian side, though, the Zimbabwean side of the Falls continues to flow. You’re never really without a little waterfall action.
Water levels reach their lowest in November. This is prime time to enjoy all of the water activities that are available to you. Not only are they just a lot of fun, but with the heat, the water feels terrific.
By the time December rolls around, the rains are approaching again. Usually. I visited the falls in Zambia toward the end of December.
The rains were delayed that year, as you can see from the photo at the top of this section.
But while the volume of water pouring down from the Zambezi River wasn’t anything to write home about, it was still a spectacular experience!
The scale of the escarpment itself is breathtaking, and walking through the gorgeous rainforest was a winning experience in itself for me.
And while I wasn’t drenched by spray from the falls, I did end up a little damp from the heat and the humidity.
I was a little disappointed that there wasn’t a little more water pouring over the falls, but I wasn’t surprised. I was still absolutely glad to be there, and I’d definitely go in December again if I was in the neighbourhood.
I highly recommend, whenever you get the chance to go – do it. You won’t be disappointed.
💦 Things To Do In Victoria Falls: Low Water Season
- swim in the ‘Devil’s Pool’ at the very edge of the falls, on Livingstone Island, in the Zambezi River. You’ll have unobstructed views of the stone wall. Usually open Aug-Jan.
- September and October are excellent times to go whitewater rafting.
🌊 Spend a half-day white water rafting on the Zambezi River. Opt for the class 4 and 5 rapids, or enjoy a tamer option – your choice!
- spend a day canoeing on the upper Zambezi.
Other Things to Do in Victoria Falls
There are some activities that you can do any time of year, and the setting just makes them over the top amazing.
- bungee jumping – some call this the best site for a bungee jump anywhere!
- zip-lining – the longest zip-line ride in the world
- the High Wire flying fox – a highwire slide, similar to a superhero-style zipline
- the gorge swing – enjoy a 70-meter freefall and a 95-meter pendulum swing out over the gorge
Victoria Falls from Cape Town
An exciting option if you’re planning to be in Cape Town but would love to see Victoria Falls, is to book an excursion. There are several tours that will take you from Cape Town to Victoria Falls.
The routes vary, and you could choose to go through Kruger National Park and enjoy safaris there. Another will take you through Chobe National Park in Botswana, as well as Etosha in Namibia.
When you arrive at Victoria Falls you’ll be treated to viewing and activities that top off an amazing trip in style.
When to Visit Victoria Falls: FAQ
✔️ How many days do I need to visit Victoria Falls?
If you only want to take in the falls and walk through the rainforest, a day or two might be enough for you. If you’d like to have some fun and experience the Devil’s Pool or do some zip-lining, try to plan for 2 or 3 days.
But maybe you’d like to take advantage of your proximity to Hwange in Zimbabwe and Chobe National Park. You can combine your time here with a safari.
In this case, take 2 or 3 days to enjoy the falls and a few activities, and try to squeeze in at least 5 or 6 days for your safari.
✔️ What time of year does Victoria Falls dry up?
The water level at Victoria Falls is generally at its lowest in the middle of November, just before the start of the rainy season.
Though you’re like to still see some water flow over the falls in the Zimbabwean side, it’s a great time to explore and swim in the gorge below.
✔️ What’s the best time of day to go to Victoria Falls?
If you’re on the Zimbabwe side of the falls, sunrise if a spectacular time to go to the falls. From here you’re able to see the spectacle above the falls themselves.
If you’re viewing Victoria Falls in Zambia, sunset is the perfect time. You can see the sun sink behind the falls from the first viewpoint and still exit the gate before it closes for the day.
And if you love seeing the rainbows in the mist, then mid-morning and mid-afternoon are the best times for you.
✔️ Is Victoria Falls better than Niagara Falls?
While both are incredible natural wonders, Victoria Falls is almost twice as tall as Niagara Falls. It’s also about half a kilometre wider.
When you add in the epic African wildlife nearby, I’d have to vote for Victoria Falls.
✔️ What should I wear to Victoria Falls?
When deciding what to wear when you visit Victoria Falls, consider when you’ll be there. It’s a good idea to bring a raincoat, especially if you’ll be visiting in January or February, the height of the rainy season.
You’ll also need wet weather gear during high water season, from around March to June, to protect you from the heavy spray off the falls.
Keep in mind the temperature can get cool in the mornings and evenings, especially in July and August. But regardless of when you visit, bring shoes that will keep you from slipping on the slick paths.
✔️ Is Victoria Falls a malaria risk area?
Yes, there is a risk of contracting malaria when you visit Victoria Falls. Be sure to pack insect repellent and speak with your doctor about preventative medication.
Summing It Up: The Best Time to Visit Victoria Falls
As you can see, there really is no ‘one size fits all’ best time to visit Victoria Falls. The spectacle shifts with the seasons, each bringing its own pros and cons.
Whether you’re looking for an adrenalin rush, clear photo opportunities, or the rich game viewing there’s a perfect time for you at Victoria Falls.
What’s certain is that the natural wonder of Victoria Falls is always there, waiting to be discovered and appreciated in its many forms. Plan your visit according to your interests and be prepared to be amazed, no matter the season.
Happy travels!
Read more:
➦ 7 Best Botswana Wildlife Safaris for 2025
➦ 35 Fun and Interesting Facts About Botswana
➦ 9 Types of Safaris in Africa for Spectacular Wildlife
➦ 98 Amazing Southern Africa Fun Facts
