South Luangwa National Park Best Time To Visit
Philip is our Zambia expert and author of more than 20 guidebooks to Africa.
July to October are the best wildlife-viewing months. This is the middle and end of the Dry season and water in the bush has dried up, so animals gather around the rivers and watercourses. However, October is extremely hot, and some people may find conditions difficult to cope with in this month.
May to October Dry Season
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Animals gather around the river and vegetation thins – prime wildlife-viewing time
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Lots of sunshine and no rain
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Fewer mosquitoes means less risk of malaria
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The Mfuwe area, where most lodges are situated, becomes busy
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High-season rates apply from July to October
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The sky is very hazy and the bush looks parched
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October is extremely hot
November to April Wet Season
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This is the ‘Emerald season’ – the scenery is green and the sky is free of haze
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There are very few tourists and rates are lower
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Best time for birding with migrants present
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There are many newborn animals
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Wildlife viewing is superior in the Dry season
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It is very hot and humid
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Many lodges close from December to March
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Malaria is a bigger concern than in the Dry season
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Some roads become difficult to drive and even impassable
Best Time To Go by Major Park
- Kafue National Park
- Lower Zambezi NP
- South Luangwa NP