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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

MixedVoykit month rating for Zambia

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.

  • 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.

  • 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 mrainy

    Milder than the valley; afternoon downpours December–March.

  • 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 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.

  • 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 days
  • Chama31 °C (88 °F) / 19 °C (66 °F), 12 rain days
  • Chingola28 °C (82 °F) / 16 °C (61 °F), 12 rain days
  • Chipata31 °C (88 °F) / 18 °C (64 °F), 10 rain days
  • Kabwe29 °C (84 °F) / 17 °C (63 °F), 12 rain days
  • Kapiri Mposhi26 °C (79 °F) / 14 °C (57 °F), 11 rain days
  • Kasama28 °C (82 °F) / 18 °C (64 °F), 12 rain days
  • Kazungula33 °C (91 °F) / 21 °C (70 °F), 7 rain days
  • Kitwe27 °C (81 °F) / 14 °C (57 °F), 10 rain days
  • Lundazi28 °C (82 °F) / 14 °C (57 °F), 8 rain days
  • Lusaka30 °C (86 °F) / 18 °C (64 °F), 9 rain days
  • Mfuwe27 °C (81 °F) / 14 °C (57 °F), 12 rain days
  • Mongu32 °C (90 °F) / 20 °C (68 °F), 12 rain days
  • Mpulungu30 °C (86 °F) / 19 °C (66 °F), 12 rain days
  • Ndola30.7 °C (87 °F) / 17.5 °C (64 °F), 10 rain days
  • Siavonga30 °C (86 °F) / 15 °C (59 °F), 12 rain days
  • Solwezi28 °C (82 °F) / 16 °C (61 °F), 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

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