South Luangwa National Park

Weather & Climate

56 South Luangwa Safaris

Expert

By Philip Briggs

Philip is our Zambia expert and author of more than 20 guidebooks to Africa.

Climate Chart South Luangwa National Park – 482-1,687m / 1,581-5,535ft

South Luangwa National Park’s climate is hot, and it has a Dry and Wet season. The average temperature remains reasonably uniform all year. Nights are much cooler though in the Dry season, and daytime temperatures peak in October, just before the rains commence.

Dry Season –May to October

There is literally no rain at all in the Dry season. It’s hot during the day, but it’s cool at night. The bush becomes drier and drier as the season advances. This is the best time for wildlife viewing.

May – While the bush may be lush, and there’s water everywhere, rain has slowed to a trickle. This is the beginning of the Dry season.
June & July – Now the rain stops completely, and the bush dries out. June and July are the coolest months – daytime temperatures are about 27°C/81°F. Cold nights have average temperatures of around 13°C/55°F. Warm clothing for morning game drives is advisable.
August & September – The bush is starting to look parched – there’s no rainfall at this time of year. Temperatures are on the rise and September days average 32°C/90°F. Mornings are warming up too.
October – Until the rains begin, temperatures keep increasing and average 34°C/93°F. It can peak higher with the heat becoming excruciating during the day. Mornings are lovely with temperatures of 21°C/70°F. The first rain of the season might fall late October/early November. This comes as a relief as temperatures drop.

Wet Season –November to April

Some remote areas are difficult to reach as roads deteriorate, and many camps are closed during the warm Wet season. Afternoon showers are common. The park’s vegetation is lush.

November – The average temperature during the day is a very hot 34°C/93°F. The rain is a relief because the bush is extremely dry. Rain mostly falls in afternoon thunderstorms, but it doesn’t rain every day.
December, January, February & March – Daytime temperatures reach 33°C/91°F, while warm nights average 18°C/64°F. These are the wettest months with rain falling most days, although it rarely continues for the whole day.
April – A great month in the park: the rain is easing, and the landscape is many shades of green.