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When to go · Zambia

Zambia in June

Great month. Cool dry season; walking safaris start in earnest.

Key facts

Verdict
Great
Crowds
Medium
Zambia
Prices
Medium
Zambia

Verdict

GreatVoykit month rating for Zambia

Cool dry season; walking safaris start in earnest.

Is another month better than June?

No other month rates higher than June for Zambia in this guide.

Weather in June

  • Livingstone and the falls · Livingstone, Mosi-oa-Tunyabest weather

    Peak flow and spray March–May; Devil's Pool opens as water drops (about mid-August to January). By November the Zambian side can be a dry cliff.

  • Luangwa Valley · South and North Luangwabest weather

    Hot, low valley; most camps open about May–November. 'Emerald season' boat safaris at a few camps Jan–Mar.

  • Lower Zambezi · Lower Zambezi NP, Chiawabest weather

    Camps close about November–March; canoeing and tiger-fishing season from May.

  • Kafue and the west · Kafue, Busanga Plains, Liuwa Plainbest weather

    Busanga Plains floods until about July; Liuwa's wildebeest migration comes with the first rains (Nov).

  • Plateau · Lusaka, Copperbelt, Bangweulucool

    At 1,200 m: pleasant; Bangweulu shoebills are easiest to see Mar–Jul.

  • Central Zambia: Lusaka and the plateau · Lusaka, Kabwe, Kapiri Mposhibest weather

    Cool dry season May–August (cold nights, 8–12 °C (46–54 °F)); hot dry season September–October (30 °C (86 °F)+); rains November–April with afternoon storms.

  • Copperbelt: Copperbelt plateau · Ndola, Kitwe, Chingola and the mine beltbest weather

    Rainy season roughly November–March; dry, cooler months May–September are the comfortable window. Days are mild at this altitude; nights can be cold in June–July.

  • Cool dry season May–August, hot dry September–October (35 °C (95 °F)+), rains roughly November–April when most camps shut.

  • Eastern Zambia: Chipata and the plateau · Eastern Province high ground, about 1,100 mbest weather

    Milder than the valley; afternoon downpours December–March.

  • Northern Plateau: Plateau towns (Kasama, Mbala, Mpika) · 1,200–1,500 m elevationbest weather

    Cooler than the lowlands; nights can drop to around 10 °C (50 °F) in June–July. The dry season runs roughly May to October, with the heaviest rain December to March.

  • Zambezi Basin: Zambezi valley and Livingstone · River corridor from Kazungula west to Senangabest weather

    Cool dry May–August is the comfortable window; October is 35 °C (95 °F)+ before the rains break. The falls run highest roughly March–May and lowest around November.

  • The plain floods roughly December–April and the Kuomboka ceremony follows the high water; roads to the plain can be cut in the wet season.

  • Livingstone25 °C (77 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 0 rain days
  • Chama25 °C (77 °F) / 10 °C (50 °F), 1 rain days
  • Chingola33 °C (91 °F) / 21 °C (70 °F), 1 rain days
  • Chipata25 °C (77 °F) / 10 °C (50 °F), 0 rain days
  • Kabwe24 °C (75 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 0 rain days
  • Kapiri Mposhi22 °C (72 °F) / 11 °C (52 °F), 5 rain days
  • Kasama22 °C (72 °F) / 12 °C (54 °F), 2 rain days
  • Kazungula27 °C (81 °F) / 10 °C (50 °F), 0 rain days
  • Kitwe22 °C (72 °F) / 11 °C (52 °F), 2 rain days
  • Lundazi29 °C (84 °F) / 16 °C (61 °F), 3 rain days
  • Lusaka24 °C (75 °F) / 11 °C (52 °F), 0 rain days
  • Mfuwe23 °C (73 °F) / 12 °C (54 °F), 8 rain days
  • Mongu26 °C (79 °F) / 10 °C (50 °F), 1 rain days
  • Mpulungu27 °C (81 °F) / 13 °C (55 °F), 1 rain days
  • Ndola26.1 °C (79 °F) / 6.6 °C (44 °F), 0 rain days
  • Siavonga32 °C (90 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 4 rain days
  • Solwezi28 °C (82 °F) / 15 °C (59 °F), 5 rain days

Festivals and holidays

Dates as our data lists them. Moving holidays (lunar and Islamic calendars, Easter) shift every year: check the date for your year before you build a trip on it.

  • Falls at high water

    May-Jun · Livingstone

    Wall of spray and full flow; wet paths, closed rafting and swims.

Crowds and prices

Crowds · Zambia
Medium
Prices · Zambia
Medium

Compare two months

Weather, crowds and prices for any two months in Zambia, side by side.

  • Verdict

    Jun: Great

    Jul: Great

  • Crowds

    Jun: Medium

    Jul: High

  • Prices

    Jun: Medium

    Jul: High

  • Festivals listed

    Jun: 1

    Jul: 1

June: Cool dry season; walking safaris start in earnest.

July: Peak season; Lower Zambezi canoeing at its best.

Zambia: figures are long-term averages from this guide, not a forecast.

What to pack

  • Layers: a fleece or light jacket

Build the full packing list for your trip →

Where to go in June

Rated best or good this month

  • Livingstone and the falls

    Best weather of the year (Livingstone, Mosi-oa-Tunya)

  • Luangwa Valley

    Best weather of the year (South and North Luangwa)

  • Lower Zambezi

    Best weather of the year (Lower Zambezi NP, Chiawa)

  • Kafue and the west

    Best weather of the year (Kafue, Busanga Plains, Liuwa Plain)

  • Livingstone

    Cool, dry, good light.

  • Chama

    Best months: May–Sep (dry season, road passable)

  • Chingola

    Best months: May–Oct (dry season, better road conditions)

  • Chipata

    Best months: May–Aug (dry, cooler); late Feb for Ncwala, Aug for Kulamba

  • Kabwe

    Best months: May–Aug (dry, cool)

  • Kapiri Mposhi

    Best months: May–October (dry season, easier road travel)

  • Kasama

    Best months: May–October (dry season)

  • Kazungula

    Best months: May–Oct (dry, easier crossing)