Gorongosa National Park

Weather & Climate

Gorongosa Operators

Expert

By Philip Briggs

Philip is the author of the Bradt guidebook to Mozambique.

Climate Chart Gorongosa National Park – 18-307m / 59-1,007ft

Gorongosa National Park has a tropical, hot climate with a Wet and Dry season. The cool Dry season from May to October offers the most comfortable travel conditions and these are the best wildlife-viewing months.

Dry Season –May to October – Winter

There is little rain in the Dry season. Animals gather more and more around the lake and other permanent water sources. It is warm during the day but cool at night.

May – At the start of the Dry season the bush is still lush but the rain has stopped.
June & July – There is almost no rain and the bush is drying out. These are the coolest months with daytime temperatures around 29°C/84°F. It gets cold at night, with an average of 14°C/57°F. Warm clothing for early morning game drives is recommended.
August & September – It is still very dry. The bush is starting to look parched. It is also warming up, with an average daytime temperature in September of 32°C/90°F. Mornings are getting less cold.
October – Daytime temperatures keep ramping up to an average of 34°C/93°F. Peak temperatures are much higher, and the heat can become unbearable during the day. Mornings are ideal, with temperatures around 20°C/68°F.

Wet Season –November to April – Summer

This is the warm Wet season. The roads get very bad after heavy rain and the park closes from mid-December to the end of March. Showers in the afternoon are common and spectacular thunderstorms rumble overhead. The sky is clear and the bush is lush.

November – When the rains start, it’s a relief because the bush is very dry and the skies are hazy. It is still very hot. The average temperature is 35°C/95°F. When it rains, it mostly comes in afternoon thunderstorms.
December, January, February & March – The wettest months bring rain most days, but it rarely lasts the whole day. Daytime temperatures average 35°C/95°F, while at night and in the early morning temperatures average about 20°C/68°F. The park is closed.
April – This is a lovely month as the rain is winding down but everything is lush and green. The park reopens. Some of the roads might be closed until they dry out.