Weather by month for central Zambia, the best months to go and how Zambia's regions differ, scored from 10 years of climate data.
May, Jun, Jul, Aug
The highest month scores: comfortable temperatures, little rain and plenty of sun.
Highs 25°C to 28°C · 1 rain days
Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, Sep
Still good weather, just not quite the top months.
Highs 27°C to 32°C · 0–24 rain days
Nov
The weakest weather of the year: too hot, too cold or too wet.
Highs 33°C · 10 rain days
Weather by month
Average highs and lows, rain days, sunshine and our month score out of 10.
| Month | High / low | Rain days | Sunshine | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 27°C / 20°C | 24 days (269 mm) | 9.0 h/day | 6.4/10 |
| February | 28°C / 21°C | 21 days (186 mm) | 9.9 h/day | 6.2/10 |
| March | 27°C / 20°C | 17 days (110 mm) | 10.8 h/day | 6.3/10 |
| April | 27°C / 18°C | 8 days (39 mm) | 10.6 h/day | 8.1/10 |
| Best month: May | 26°C / 16°C | 1 day (4 mm) | 10.9 h/day | 9.7/10 |
| Best month: June | 25°C / 14°C | 1 day (3 mm) | 10.5 h/day | 9.9/10 |
| Best month: July | 25°C / 13°C | 1 day (3 mm) | 10.5 h/day | 9.8/10 |
| Best month: August | 28°C / 15°C | 1 day (2 mm) | 11.2 h/day | 8.9/10 |
| September | 32°C / 19°C | 0 days (0 mm) | 11.6 h/day | 7.1/10 |
| October | 34°C / 21°C | 2 days (9 mm) | 11.5 h/day | 4.2/10 |
| November | 33°C / 22°C | 10 days (66 mm) | 11.3 h/day | 3.2/10 |
| December | 30°C / 21°C | 19 days (182 mm) | 10.3 h/day | 5.1/10 |
Figures for central Zambia; the country's best months are weighted across its cities. Best months are highlighted. How we score months
Month by month
27°C / 20°C · 24 rain days · 9.0 h sun
January is full wet season, with a high of 27.2°C and rain on about 23.6 days, the wettest stretch of the year at 269mm. The score of 6.4 marks it as good despite the rain, since the landscape turns green and rivers fill. New Year's Day falls on 1 January.
28°C / 21°C · 21 rain days · 9.9 h sun
Rain is still frequent in February, with 20.9 rain days and 186mm falling, though the high stays near 27.7°C. The month scores 6.2, a good rating, as the heaviest downpours of January start to ease.
27°C / 20°C · 17 rain days · 10.8 h sun
March keeps a 27.4°C high but rain drops to 17 days and 110mm, a clear improvement. With a score of 6.3, it is a good month, and it also brings Women's Day on 9 March and Youth Day on 12 March.
27°C / 18°C · 8 rain days · 10.6 h sun
Rain falls on just 7.7 days in April, down to 39mm, while the high holds at 26.7°C. This shift to drier conditions pushes the score to 8.1, rated best. Easter weekend (3–6 April) and Kenneth Kaunda's Birthday on 28 April both fall this month.
26°C / 16°C · 1 rain days · 10.9 h sun
May is dry, with only 1 rain day and 4mm total, and a high of 26.2°C with cooler nights near 15.6°C. It scores 9.7, among the best months, offering clear skies for most of the trip. Labour Day falls on 1 May.
25°C / 14°C · 1 rain days · 10.5 h sun
June is the driest, coolest month, with 0.7 rain days, a high of 24.5°C and lows down to 13.5°C. It holds the top score of 9.9, the single best month to travel. African Freedom Day on 25 May leads into this dry, sunny stretch.
25°C / 13°C · 1 rain days · 10.5 h sun
July stays almost rain-free, with 1.1 rain days and a high of 24.8°C, though nights are cold at 13.1°C. The score of 9.8 keeps it rated best. Heroes' Day and Unity Day fall on 6 and 7 July.
28°C / 15°C · 1 rain days · 11.2 h sun
Temperatures start climbing in August, with a high of 28°C and still just 0.7 rain days. The score of 8.9 keeps it in the best category, with warm, dry, sunny days (11.2 sun hours). Farmers' Day falls on 3 August.
32°C / 19°C · 0 rain days · 11.6 h sun
September turns hot, with a high of 31.7°C and almost no rain, just 0.1 rain days and 0mm. It scores 7.1, a good month, though the heat is noticeably stronger than earlier in the dry season.
34°C / 21°C · 2 rain days · 11.5 h sun
October is the hottest month, with a high of 34°C, and rain starts to return lightly, 1.7 days and 9mm. The heat drags the score down to 4.2, an ok rating, as the air turns heavy before the rains build. National Day of Prayer falls on 19 October and Independence Day on 26 October.
33°C / 22°C · 10 rain days · 11.3 h sun
November brings the sharpest change, with rain on 9.5 days and 66mm falling, while the high stays near 32.9°C, making for hot, humid conditions. It scores 3.2, the lowest of the year, as the wet season begins in earnest.
30°C / 21°C · 19 rain days · 10.3 h sun
December settles into full wet season, with 19.1 rain days, 182mm of rain and a high of 29.9°C. The score of 5.1 marks it as ok, suited to travellers who want green scenery and don't mind frequent showers. Christmas Day falls on 25 December.
By trip type
City sightseeing
May to August suit city trips best. Daytime highs stay between 24.5°C and 28°C, and each month gets only 2–4 mm of rain on about 1 day. Skip October, when highs reach 34°C.
Hiking & nature
June and July are the best hiking months, with highs near 25°C and cool nights of about 13°C. May and August also work, with almost no rain. Avoid January, which brings 269 mm of rain over about 24 days.
Events calendar
Public holidays: New Year's Day (1 Jan)
Public holidays: International Women's Day (9 Mar), Youth Day (12 Mar)
Public holidays: Good Friday (3 Apr), Holy Saturday (4 Apr), Easter Sunday (5 Apr), Easter Monday (6 Apr), Kenneth Kaunda's Birthday (28 Apr)
Public holidays: Labour Day (1 May), African Freedom Day (25 May)
Public holidays: Heroes' Day (6 Jul), Unity Day (7 Jul)
Public holidays: Farmers' Day (3 Aug)
Public holidays: National Day of Prayer (19 Oct), Independence Day (26 Oct)
Public holidays: Christmas Day (25 Dec)
Keep planning
FAQ
Yes. June is the top-rated month, with a score of 9.9 out of 10. It is almost completely dry, with 0.7 rain days and 3 mm of rain on average. Days are warm at 24.5°C and sunny for 10.5 hours. Nights are cool at about 13.5°C, so pack a warm layer. May, July and August are also rated best.
Only if you can handle strong heat. October scores 4.2 out of 10 and is rated just ok. It is the hottest month, with average highs of 34°C and lows of 21.3°C. Rain is still low, at 1.7 days and 9 mm. The heat is the main problem. For a cooler dry-season trip, choose May to August.
Yes, November is the weakest month, with a score of 3.2 out of 10. It combines heat and the start of the rains. Highs average 32.9°C and nights stay warm at 22.2°C. Rain days jump to 9.5, from 1.7 in October, with 66 mm of rain. In December the rain rises again, to 19.1 days and 182 mm.
It is rated good, at 6.4 out of 10, but expect a lot of rain. January is the wettest month. It has 23.6 rain days and 269 mm of rain on average. Temperatures are mild, with highs of 27.2°C and lows of 20.4°C. You still get about 9 hours of sun a day. If you want dry weather, go from May to August instead.
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