Weather by month for central Zimbabwe, the best months to go and how Zimbabwe'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 22°C to 26°C · 2–4 rain days
Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, Sep, Oct
Still good weather, just not quite the top months.
Highs 25°C to 31°C · 3–18 rain days
Nov, Dec
No months with tough weather, but these are only average.
Highs 30°C to 31°C · 10–16 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 / 18°C | 18 days (179 mm) | 10.0 h/day | 6.3/10 |
| February | 28°C / 18°C | 15 days (145 mm) | 9.8 h/day | 6.2/10 |
| March | 27°C / 17°C | 12 days (69 mm) | 10.1 h/day | 7.3/10 |
| April | 25°C / 14°C | 7 days (39 mm) | 9.8 h/day | 8.5/10 |
| Best month: May | 24°C / 11°C | 2 days (8 mm) | 10.1 h/day | 9.5/10 |
| Best month: June | 22°C / 9°C | 4 days (15 mm) | 9.3 h/day | 9.3/10 |
| Best month: July | 22°C / 8°C | 3 days (10 mm) | 9.4 h/day | 9.3/10 |
| Best month: August | 26°C / 11°C | 2 days (6 mm) | 10.3 h/day | 9.6/10 |
| September | 29°C / 14°C | 3 days (10 mm) | 10.5 h/day | 7.8/10 |
| October | 31°C / 16°C | 5 days (22 mm) | 10.6 h/day | 6.8/10 |
| November | 31°C / 18°C | 10 days (67 mm) | 10.5 h/day | 5.7/10 |
| December | 30°C / 19°C | 16 days (158 mm) | 10.3 h/day | 5.1/10 |
Figures for central Zimbabwe; the country's best months are weighted across its cities. Best months are highlighted. How we score months
Month by month
27°C / 18°C · 18 rain days · 10.0 h sun
Expect highs around 27°C with rain on about 18 days and 179mm falling, the wettest month of the year. Humidity is high and skies cloud over often, though sun hours stay near 10. The score is 6.3, a good month overall, and New Year's Day falls on the 1st.
28°C / 18°C · 15 rain days · 9.8 h sun
Highs sit near 28°C with rain on about 15 days and 145mm of rainfall, so storms are still common. The score is 6.2, rated good. Robert Mugabe National Youth Day falls on 21 February.
27°C / 17°C · 12 rain days · 10.1 h sun
Rain eases to about 12 days and 69mm as highs stay around 27°C. Conditions dry out noticeably compared with January and February, pushing the score up to 7.3, a good month to visit.
25°C / 14°C · 7 rain days · 9.8 h sun
Rain drops sharply to just 7 days and 39mm, with highs around 25°C and lows near 14°C. This marks the start of the dry season and the score jumps to 8.5, rated best. Good Friday, Holy Saturday, Easter Monday and Independence Day (18th) all fall in April.
24°C / 11°C · 2 rain days · 10.1 h sun
May is dry, with only 2.4 rain days and 8mm total rainfall. Highs reach 24°C and lows drop to 11°C, giving comfortable days and cool nights. It scores 9.5, the top-rated month, with Worker's Day on 1 May and Africa Day on 25 May.
22°C / 9°C · 4 rain days · 9.3 h sun
This is the coolest month, with highs of 22°C and lows down to 9°C. Rain is minimal at 3.5 days and 15mm, and skies stay clear with 9.3 sun hours. The score is 9.3, rated best, good for wildlife viewing as vegetation thins.
22°C / 8°C · 3 rain days · 9.4 h sun
July stays dry with just 3.3 rain days and 10mm of rain. Highs hold at 22°C but lows fall to 8°C, the coldest nights of the year, so pack warm layers for early mornings and evenings. The score is 9.3, best.
26°C / 11°C · 2 rain days · 10.3 h sun
Highs climb back to 26°C while rain stays rare at 2.2 days and 6mm, the driest month on record here. Sun hours reach 10.3, among the highest of the year. It scores 9.6, the best-rated month. Heroes' Day falls on 10 August and Defence Forces Day on 11 August.
29°C / 14°C · 3 rain days · 10.5 h sun
Temperatures rise further to 29°C highs with rain still low at 3.3 days and 10mm. Vegetation is thin and dry, good for spotting animals near waterholes, though daytime heat builds. The score is 7.8, rated best.
31°C / 16°C · 5 rain days · 10.6 h sun
October is the hottest month, with highs of 31°C. Rain days creep up to 4.7 with 22mm, a sign the season is starting to turn. The heat can feel intense in the afternoons. The score drops to 6.8, still good.
31°C / 18°C · 10 rain days · 10.5 h sun
Highs stay near 31°C while rain increases to 10 days and 67mm as the wet season returns. Storms build most afternoons, and humidity climbs. The score falls to 5.7, rated ok, reflecting the tougher, hotter and wetter conditions.
30°C / 19°C · 16 rain days · 10.3 h sun
December brings regular rain, with 15.6 rain days and 158mm, alongside highs of 30°C and warm nights near 19°C. Afternoon downpours are common. The score is 5.1, the lowest of the year, rated ok. Unity Day falls on 22 December, Christmas Day on the 25th and St. Stephen's Day on the 26th.
By trip type
City sightseeing
For city trips, go from May to August. This is the dry season, with only 2 to 4 rain days a month. August is the driest month, with 6 mm of rain, 2.2 rain days and highs near 26°C.
Hiking & nature
May to August is best for hiking. Days are dry and mild, with highs of 22 to 24°C from May to July. Nights get cold, down to 8.4°C in July, so pack warm layers for early starts.
Events calendar
Public holidays: New Year's Day (1 Jan)
Public holidays: Robert Mugabe National Youth Day (21 Feb)
Public holidays: Good Friday (3 Apr), Holy Saturday (4 Apr), Easter Monday (6 Apr), Independence Day (18 Apr)
Public holidays: Worker's Day (1 May), Africa Day (25 May)
Public holidays: Heroes' Day (10 Aug), Defence Forces Day (11 Aug)
Public holidays: Unity Day (22 Dec), Christmas Day (25 Dec), St. Stephen's Day (26 Dec)
Keep planning
FAQ
Yes, August is the best month to visit Zimbabwe, with the highest score of the year at 9.6. It is the driest month, with only 6 mm of rain over about 2 rain days. Days reach about 26°C, nights drop to about 11°C, and you get around 10 hours of sun a day.
Days in July are mild, but nights are cold. July has the lowest average low of the year at 8.4°C, with highs of about 22°C. It is still one of the best months, with a score of 9.3, only 10 mm of rain and about 9 hours of sun a day. Pack warm layers for early mornings and evenings.
October is the hottest month, but it is still a good time to go. Highs average 30.6°C, the warmest of the year, and nights stay around 16°C. Rain is still low at 22 mm over about 5 days. It scores 6.8, lower than the dry months from May to September, mainly because of the heat.
January is possible, but expect a lot of rain. It is the wettest month, with 179 mm over about 18 rain days, and it scores 6.3. It is warm, with highs of about 27°C and around 10 hours of sun a day. If you want dry weather, choose May to August instead. December is similar, with the lowest score of the year at 5.1.
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