When to go · Zambia
Zambia in November
Mixed month. First rains; camps close; Liuwa migration begins.
Key facts
- Verdict
- Mixed
- Crowds
- Low
- Zambia
- Prices
- Medium
- Zambia
Verdict
First rains; camps close; Liuwa migration begins.
Is another month better than November?
November is rated mixed. These months rate higher:
Weather in November
- Livingstone and the falls · Livingstone, Mosi-oa-Tunyahot
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 Luangwahot
Hot, low valley; most camps open about May–November. 'Emerald season' boat safaris at a few camps Jan–Mar.
- Lower Zambezi · Lower Zambezi NP, Chiawahot
Camps close about November–March; canoeing and tiger-fishing season from May.
- Kafue and the west · Kafue, Busanga Plains, Liuwa Plainfine
Busanga Plains floods until about July; Liuwa's wildebeest migration comes with the first rains (Nov).
- Plateau · Lusaka, Copperbelt, Bangweuluhot
At 1,200 m: pleasant; Bangweulu shoebills are easiest to see Mar–Jul.
- Central Zambia: Lusaka and the plateau · Lusaka, Kabwe, Kapiri Mposhirainy
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.Cool dry season May–August (cold nights, 46–54 °F (8–12 °C)); hot dry season September–October (86 °F (30 °C)+); rains November–April with afternoon storms.
- Copperbelt: Copperbelt plateau · Ndola, Kitwe, Chingola and the mine beltrainy
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.
- Eastern Zambia: Luangwa Valley (South Luangwa, Mfuwe, North Luangwa) · Valley floor, 500–700 mhot
Cool dry season May–August, hot dry September–October (35 °C (95 °F)+), rains roughly November–April when most camps shut.Cool dry season May–August, hot dry September–October (95 °F (35 °C)+), rains roughly November–April when most camps shut.
- Eastern Zambia: Chipata and the plateau · Eastern Province high ground, about 1,100 mrainy
Milder than the valley; afternoon downpours December–March.
- Northern Plateau: Plateau towns (Kasama, Mbala, Mpika) · 1,200–1,500 m elevationrainy
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.Cooler than the lowlands; nights can drop to around 50 °F (10 °C) 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 Senangahot
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.Cool dry May–August is the comfortable window; October is 95 °F (35 °C)+ before the rains break. The falls run highest roughly March–May and lowest around November.
- Zambezi Basin: Barotse floodplain (Mongu, Senanga) · Western Provincerainy
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.
- Livingstone33 °C (91 °F) / 19 °C (66 °F), 7 rain days91 °F (33 °C) / 66 °F (19 °C), 7 rain days
- Chama31 °C (88 °F) / 19 °C (66 °F), 12 rain days88 °F (31 °C) / 66 °F (19 °C), 12 rain days
- Chingola28 °C (82 °F) / 16 °C (61 °F), 12 rain days82 °F (28 °C) / 61 °F (16 °C), 12 rain days
- Chipata31 °C (88 °F) / 18 °C (64 °F), 10 rain days88 °F (31 °C) / 64 °F (18 °C), 10 rain days
- Kabwe29 °C (84 °F) / 17 °C (63 °F), 12 rain days84 °F (29 °C) / 63 °F (17 °C), 12 rain days
- Kapiri Mposhi26 °C (79 °F) / 14 °C (57 °F), 11 rain days79 °F (26 °C) / 57 °F (14 °C), 11 rain days
- Kasama28 °C (82 °F) / 18 °C (64 °F), 12 rain days82 °F (28 °C) / 64 °F (18 °C), 12 rain days
- Kazungula33 °C (91 °F) / 21 °C (70 °F), 7 rain days91 °F (33 °C) / 70 °F (21 °C), 7 rain days
- Kitwe27 °C (81 °F) / 14 °C (57 °F), 10 rain days81 °F (27 °C) / 57 °F (14 °C), 10 rain days
- Lundazi28 °C (82 °F) / 14 °C (57 °F), 8 rain days82 °F (28 °C) / 57 °F (14 °C), 8 rain days
- Lusaka30 °C (86 °F) / 18 °C (64 °F), 9 rain days86 °F (30 °C) / 64 °F (18 °C), 9 rain days
- Mfuwe27 °C (81 °F) / 14 °C (57 °F), 12 rain days81 °F (27 °C) / 57 °F (14 °C), 12 rain days
- Mongu32 °C (90 °F) / 20 °C (68 °F), 12 rain days90 °F (32 °C) / 68 °F (20 °C), 12 rain days
- Mpulungu30 °C (86 °F) / 19 °C (66 °F), 12 rain days86 °F (30 °C) / 66 °F (19 °C), 12 rain days
- Ndola30.7 °C (87 °F) / 17.5 °C (64 °F), 10 rain days87 °F (30.7 °C) / 64 °F (17.5 °C), 10 rain days
- Siavonga30 °C (86 °F) / 15 °C (59 °F), 12 rain days86 °F (30 °C) / 59 °F (15 °C), 12 rain days
- Solwezi28 °C (82 °F) / 16 °C (61 °F), 12 rain days82 °F (28 °C) / 61 °F (16 °C), 12 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.
Low water
Sep-Dec · Livingstone
Devil's Pool swims and full rafting open; the Zambian falls can look thin.
Crowds and prices
- Crowds · Zambia
- Low
- Prices · Zambia
- Medium
Compare two months
Weather, crowds and prices for any two months in Zambia, side by side.
Verdict
Nov: Mixed
Jun: Great (better)
Crowds
Nov: Low
Jun: Medium
Prices
Nov: Medium
Jun: Medium
Festivals listed
Nov: 1
Jun: 1
November: First rains; camps close; Liuwa migration begins.
June: Cool dry season; walking safaris start in earnest.
Zambia: figures are long-term averages from this guide, not a forecast.
What to pack
- Light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and sunscreen