Waterfalls, wildlife and wide open parks in Southern Africa's inland heart
Best: May, Jun, Jul, Aug
Photo: Jürgen_Bierlein / Pixabay
Best months
May, Jun, Jul, Aug
Top score of 9.6, almost no rain at 6mm, 10.3 sun hours and warming highs of 25.8°C.
Shoulder season
Jan, Feb, Mar, Oct
Capital
Harare
Languages
Khoisan languages, Barwe, English
Currency
United States dollar (USD)
Time zone
UTC+02:00
Plugs
Type G · 220 V
Driving
On the left
Emergency
999
Why visit Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe suits travellers who want big game parks and one of the world's great waterfalls without a coastline in sight. Victoria Falls, Hwange National Park and the cities of Harare and Bulawayo anchor most trips. May through August bring cooler, drier weather, best for wildlife viewing and comfortable travel. One honest limitation: as a landlocked country, Zimbabwe offers no beach time, so plan on pairing it with a coastal neighbour if you want sand and sea.
Dry-season months from May to August
The best months to visit are May, June, July and August. This is Zimbabwe's dry season, when skies are clearer and wildlife gathers around rivers and waterholes, making game viewing easier.
Victoria Falls town as a base
The town of Victoria Falls has just 33,060 people, small enough to feel relaxed, yet it sits next to one of the country's main draws. It works well as a base for a few days without the crowds of a bigger city.
Hwange, a gateway to the bush
Hwange town has a population of only 42,581, a quiet staging point near Zimbabwe's largest national park area. Its small size means fewer distractions before heading into wilder country.
Harare for city life
Harare, the capital, has around 2,150,000 people. It's the country's largest urban center, useful for arriving travellers who want transport links, markets and city amenities before moving on.
Bulawayo as a second city option
Bulawayo has a population of 665,940, making it Zimbabwe's second-largest city. It offers an alternative urban stop with a different pace from Harare, useful for travellers routing through the south and west of the country.
Is Zimbabwe right for you?
Great for
Dry-season travellers who want sunny days: August to October get 10.3 to 10.6 sun hours a day with little rain
Wildlife watchers, since May to September has only 2 to 3 rain days a month near Hwange
Travellers who like warm days but cool nights, with June and July highs around 22°C and lows near 8 to 9°C
Visitors to Victoria Falls who prefer dry viewing conditions, since July and August have just 3 to 6 mm of rain
Inland, landlocked trips, as all listed cities (Harare, Bulawayo, Hwange, Victoria Falls) are non-coastal
Less ideal for
Beach seekers, since Zimbabwe has no coastal cities
Travellers who dislike heavy rain, since January gets 179 mm over 18.4 days and December 158 mm over 15.6 days
Those wanting hot weather with cool nights avoided, since June and July lows drop to 8.4 to 9°C
Visitors hoping for consistent heat year-round, since highs swing from 21.7°C in June to 30.6°C in October
Zimbabwe right now: November
5.7/10
Avg high
31°C
Avg low
18°C
Rain days
10
Averages for Zimbabwe.
Weather by month
Based on data for Harare, the driest and sunniest spell runs from May to August, with highs of 22–26°C, lows down to 8–11°C, barely 2–4 rain days a month and over 9 hours of sun daily. December through February bring the toughest weather, with 145–179mm of rain and up to 18 rain days a month, while warm, humid conditions build toward sticky peaks in October and November before the rains break.
Start in the capital, home to around 2,150,000 people. Use these two days to settle in and explore the city before heading west.
Day 3–4
Hwange
Travel to Hwange, a small town of about 42,581 people. This is your base for game viewing in the surrounding area.
Day 5–7
Victoria Falls
Finish the trip in Victoria Falls, a town of roughly 33,060 people, known for its dramatic waterfall and outdoor activities along the Zambezi River.
10 days
Zimbabwe's Cities and Waterfalls in Ten Days
Day 1–2
Harare
Begin in Harare, Zimbabwe's capital city with a population of about 2,150,000. Take time to get oriented in the country's largest urban centre.
Day 3–4
Masvingo
Move on to Masvingo, with a population of around 1,638,528. Use this stop to explore the surrounding region at a slower pace.
Day 5–6
Bulawayo
Continue to Bulawayo, Zimbabwe's second city with about 665,940 residents. Spend time taking in the city's atmosphere and history.
Day 7–8
Hwange
Head to Hwange, a town of roughly 42,581 people, for a couple of days focused on wildlife in the nearby national park.
Day 9–10
Victoria Falls
End the trip in Victoria Falls, population about 33,060, where you can see the falls and take part in activities along the Zambezi.
Food to try in Zimbabwe
Sadza
This is a thick maize porridge, the staple food across Zimbabwe. It's eaten daily with relish like meat, beans, or vegetables, usually by hand.
Sadza ne nyama
Sadza served with stewed beef, chicken, or goat meat. It's a common lunch or dinner dish found in homes and local eateries throughout the country.
Muriwo unedovi
Leafy greens such as rape or spinach cooked with ground peanut butter. It's a popular side dish eaten with sadza, especially in rural households.
Mopane worms
These are dried caterpillars, fried or stewed with onions and tomatoes. They're a traditional protein source, especially in rural and southern areas.
Road runner chicken
Free-range chicken, tougher and more flavorful than factory-farmed birds, grilled or stewed. It's a favorite at family gatherings and local braais.
Maheu
A fermented, slightly sour drink made from maize meal. It's drunk as a refreshing non-alcoholic beverage, often in the morning or as a snack.
Know before you go
Currency:
Zimbabwe uses the United States dollar (USD) as its currency. Carry smaller bills, since change can be hard to find for larger notes.
Language:
English is the main language used for business and official matters. Shona and Northern Ndebele are also widely spoken across the country, along with several other local languages.
Plugs and voltage:
Zimbabwe uses type G plugs, the same as the UK, with a voltage of 220 V. Bring an adapter if your devices use a different plug type.
Driving side:
Cars drive on the left in Zimbabwe. If you're used to driving on the right, take extra care at junctions and roundabouts.
Emergency number:
The general emergency number in Zimbabwe is 999.
Tap water:
Tap water quality varies by region and can be unreliable, especially in Harare. Bottled or filtered water is a safer choice for travellers.
Tipping:
Tipping is appreciated in Zimbabwe, especially for guides, drivers and hotel staff, since USD cash tips make a real difference to local incomes.
Zimbabwe: frequently asked questions
Is Zimbabwe good to visit in August?
Yes, August is Zimbabwe's top-scoring month at 9.6 out of 10. It has only 2.2 rain days, 6 mm of rain, and 10.3 hours of sunshine. Days reach 25.8°C, with cool nights around 10.9°C, making it a dry, sunny, comfortable time to travel.
What is the best time to visit Zimbabwe?
The best months are May, June, July and August, all rated 9.3 or higher. These months fall in the dry season, with rain days dropping as low as 2.2 to 3.5 and rainfall under 15 mm. Daytime highs range from 21.7°C to 25.8°C, though nights can cool to 8.4°C in July.
Is Zimbabwe rainy in December and January?
Yes, December and January are the wettest months. January gets 179 mm of rain over 18.4 days, and December gets 158 mm over 15.6 rain days. Temperatures stay warm, with January highs of 27.4°C, but these months score lowest at 5.1 and 6.3 out of 10.
What is the weather like in Zimbabwe in October?
October is hot and mostly dry, with the highest average temperature of the year: 30.6°C by day and 16.1°C at night. Rain is still light, with 22 mm over 4.7 days, and sunshine runs 10.6 hours. It scores 6.8 out of 10, rated good but less comfortable than the cooler dry months.
What currency and language should I expect in Zimbabwe?
Zimbabwe uses the United States dollar (USD) as its currency. English is an official language alongside Shona, Northern Ndebele, and several others, so English speakers can get by easily. The country drives on the left and uses type G plugs with 220 V electricity.
How far apart are Zimbabwe's main tourist towns?
The fact pack doesn't give distances, but it lists Harare (population 2,150,000, the capital), Bulawayo (665,940), and Victoria Falls (33,060) as key cities. Hwange, near the national park, has a smaller population of 42,581, showing these destinations range from a large capital to much smaller towns.
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