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Hippos wading in river at sunset

Zambia travel guide

Dry-season safaris, Victoria Falls and wide river valleys away from the coast

Best: May, Jun, Jul, Aug

Photo: MariLari / Pixabay

Capital
Lusaka
Language
English
Currency
Zambian kwacha
Time zone
UTC+02:00
Plugs
Type C, G · 230 V
Driving
On the left
Emergency
112 / 911 / 999

Why visit Zambia

Zambia suits travellers after game drives, walking safaris and the Victoria Falls near Livingstone. The best months are May, June, July and August, when the dry season keeps roads passable and wildlife gathers near rivers. There's no coastline here, and Zambia is landlocked, so plan overland or flight connections between Lusaka, Ndola and Livingstone rather than expecting beach stops.

  • Four dry-season months with clear skies

    June, July, May and August are Zambia's best months, falling in the dry season with little rain. Clearer skies make these months reliable for wildlife viewing and outdoor travel across the country.

  • Lusaka, a capital of over 2 million

    Lusaka is Zambia's capital city with a population of 2,467,563. As the country's largest urban centre, it works as a hub for flights and road links to the rest of Zambia.

  • Livingstone near the Zambezi border town

    Livingstone has a population of 177,393 and sits close to the Zambezi River on Zambia's southern border. Its size makes it a manageable base for exploring the surrounding region.

  • Mpulungu on Lake Tanganyika

    Mpulungu, with a population of 29,103, lies at Zambia's northern tip on Lake Tanganyika. It is the smallest of Zambia's listed towns, giving a quieter contrast to Lusaka or Ndola.

  • A large, sparsely filled country

    Zambia covers 752,612 square kilometres but holds a population of 23,003,214. That combination leaves plenty of open land between towns like Ndola, Chipata and Mpulungu.

Is Zambia right for you?

Great for

  • Travellers wanting dry, sunny days: June to August highs of 24-28°C with under 1.1 rain days a month
  • Safari trips timed for the dry season, when wildlife gathers and rain is near zero from May to September
  • Visitors who like long daylight for sightseeing, with 10.5-11.6 sun hours a day from May to October
  • Inland trips to cities like Lusaka, Ndola and Livingstone, since Zambia is landlocked with no coastal towns
  • Travellers who don't mind heat, given October highs reach 34°C

Less ideal for

  • Beach holidaymakers, since Zambia has no coastal cities
  • Travellers who dislike heavy rain, as January brings 269 mm of rain over 23.6 days
  • People sensitive to intense heat before the rains break, when October hits 34°C
  • Trips planned around big public events, since no national festival dates are listed here

Zambia right now: November

3.2/10
Avg high
33°C
Avg low
22°C
Rain days
10

Averages for Zambia.

Weather by month

Data for Zambia (2015–2024) shows May to August is driest and sunniest, with highs of 24–28°C, under 1.1 rain days a month and over 10 hours of sun daily, making it the most comfortable stretch. October and November are toughest: October hits 34°C before storms build, and November brings the season's shift with 9.5 rain days and rising humidity ahead of the wet December–March period, when rain totals climb past 180mm a month.

Average highs and lows in Zambia by month January: high 27°C, low 20°C , 24 rain days . February: high 28°C, low 21°C , 21 rain days . March: high 27°C, low 20°C , 17 rain days . April: high 27°C, low 18°C , 8 rain days . May: high 26°C, low 16°C , 1 rain days . June: high 25°C, low 14°C , 1 rain days . July: high 25°C, low 13°C , 1 rain days . August: high 28°C, low 15°C , 1 rain days . September: high 32°C, low 19°C , 0 rain days . October: high 34°C, low 21°C , 2 rain days . November: high 33°C, low 22°C , 10 rain days . December: high 30°C, low 21°C , 19 rain days . 27°C 20°C JAN 24d 28°C 21°C FEB 21d 27°C 20°C MAR 17d 27°C 18°C APR 8d 26°C 16°C MAY 1d 25°C 14°C JUN 1d 25°C 13°C JUL 1d 28°C 15°C AUG 1d 32°C 19°C SEP 0d 34°C 21°C OCT 2d 33°C 22°C NOV 10d 30°C 21°C DEC 19d
Best months Other months (low–high) Nd = rain days

Zambia (country average) · averages 2015–2024

Best time to visit Zambia: month-by-month weather →

Sample itineraries

7 days

Lusaka to Livingstone City Break

  1. Day 1–3

    Lusaka

    Start in Zambia's capital, home to about 2,467,563 people. Use these days to settle in, sort logistics, and explore the city at a relaxed pace.

  2. Day 4–7

    Livingstone

    Head to Livingstone, a city of around 177,393 residents near the Zambezi River. Spend your remaining days here, taking in the area around this well-known gateway town.

10 days

Four-City Zambia Overview

  1. Day 1–3

    Lusaka

    Begin in Lusaka, the capital, with a population of about 2,467,563. These first days are for orientation and easing into Zambian travel.

  2. Day 4–5

    Ndola

    Travel to Ndola, a city of roughly 528,330 people. Spend two days exploring this part of the country before moving on.

  3. Day 6–8

    Livingstone

    Continue to Livingstone, home to around 177,393 residents, for three days near the Zambezi River area.

  4. Day 9–10

    Chipata (Fort Jameson)

    Finish the trip in Chipata, a town of about 141,800 people, for a quieter final two days before heading home.

Getting around Zambia

Typical journey times and fares between the main places.

Route By Time Price
Lusaka → Livingstone Only verified route: web search stopped working after one search, so the other routes were left out rather than guessed. Source is the Rome2Rio aggregator, not an operator page. Operator: Mazhandu Family Bus Service. The bus takes about 6 h 56 min. Rome2Rio gives only an average fare of about USD 22, so no kwacha fare range was found. Confirm times and fares with Mazhandu before you travel. bus 6 h 56 min – ↗

Staying connected

If your phone plan doesn't include Zambia, an eSIM set up before you leave gives you data on arrival.

Food to try in Zambia

Nshima

This thick maize porridge is Zambia's staple food, eaten daily with relish and vegetables. Most meals across the country are built around it, at home and in local restaurants.

Ifisashi

A vegetable stew made with pumpkin leaves or other greens cooked in ground peanut sauce. It's a common side dish served alongside nshima in homes across Zambia.

Kapenta

Small dried fish from Lake Kariba and Lake Tanganyika, often fried and served with nshima and vegetables. You'll find it in markets and simple eateries nationwide.

Village chicken

Free-range chicken, usually stewed with tomato and onion, is a common main dish at family meals and local restaurants, often paired with nshima.

Chibwabwa

A side dish made from pumpkin leaves, sometimes mixed with groundnuts, cooked down into a soft green relish. It's served with nshima in many households.

Munkoyo

A traditional fermented drink made from maize meal and the roots of the munkoyo plant. It has a slightly sour, refreshing taste and is popular at gatherings and in rural areas.

Know before you go

  • Plugs and voltage: Zambia runs on 230 V. Sockets take type C and type G plugs. Bring an adapter if your home plug is different, and check your device can handle 230 V before you plug it in.
  • Driving side: Traffic drives on the left in Zambia. If you're used to driving on the right, take extra care at junctions and roundabouts, especially in the first few days.
  • Emergency number: For emergencies in Zambia, you can call 112, 911 or 999. Save these numbers in your phone before you travel, since signal can be patchy outside towns.
  • Currency: The local currency is the Zambian kwacha. Carry some cash for smaller towns and rural areas, where card payments are less common.
  • Language: English is the official language of Zambia, so most signs, menus and official communication will be in English. Many Zambians also speak local languages at home.
  • Calling code: Zambia's international calling code is +260. You'll need this if you're buying a local SIM or giving your number to someone abroad.

Zambia: frequently asked questions

Is Zambia good to visit in August?

Yes. August scores 8.9 out of 10 and falls in the best-rated stretch of the year. Expect warm days around 28°C, cool nights near 15°C, almost no rain (2 mm, under 1 rain day), and 11.2 hours of sunshine. It's dry-season weather, good for wildlife viewing.

When is the best time to visit Zambia?

May to August is the top window, with June scoring highest at 9.9 out of 10. These months have little to no rain (3–4 mm per month), cool to warm temperatures (13–26°C), and 10.5–10.9 hours of sunshine daily. This is Zambia's dry season.

Is Zambia rainy in January?

Yes. January is the wettest month, with 269 mm of rain over 23.6 rain days on average. Highs reach 27.2°C and lows stay around 20.4°C. It still scores 6.4 out of 10, a 'good' rating, because many travellers come for the green landscapes and full waterfalls despite the rain.

Should I visit Zambia in November?

November is the lowest-scoring month, rated 3.2 out of 10. It sits at the end of the dry season, when temperatures are highest (highs of 32.9°C) and rain starts returning, with 9.5 rain days and 66 mm. It's hot and humid before the main rains arrive in December.

How long does it take to travel from Lusaka to Livingstone?

The bus journey between Lusaka and Livingstone takes about 6 hours 56 minutes. This is the only route listed for Zambia, connecting the capital to the city near Victoria Falls.

What is the climate like in Zambia year-round?

Zambia has a dry season from about May to September and a wetter season from November to March. Dry months like June and July see almost no rain (3 mm) and cooler nights (13°C), while wet months like January bring 269 mm of rain. Temperatures peak in October at 34°C, just before the rains start.

Similar destinations

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