Zimbabwe in April

Peak flow and heavy spray: bring a rain jacket; lunar rainbows at full moon.

April is rated good. These months rate higher:

• MayGreatFalls still high; dry season starts in the parks.
• JuneGreatClear falls views and cool days; Hwange game builds.
• JulyGreatPeak season; Mana Pools opens fully.
• AugustGreatExcellent game in Hwange and Mana Pools.

• Victoria Falls and Hwange · Victoria Falls, Hwangefine

  Falls in full flood Mar–May with heavy spray; clearest views June–August; the Zimbabwe side keeps water all year. Hwange's pans draw game from August.

• Zambezi Valley · Mana Pools, Lower Zambezi side, Karibafine

  Low-lying and very hot in October (40 °C (104 °F)+). Mana Pools closes to most camps from about November to March.Low-lying and very hot in October (104 °F (40 °C)+). Mana Pools closes to most camps from about November to March.

• Highveld · Harare, Bulawayo, Great Zimbabwe, Matobobest weather

  At 1,000–1,500 m: mild, with cold winter nights; summer afternoon storms.

• Eastern Highlands · Nyanga, Bvumba, Chimanimanifine

  Misty and cool; hiking best April–October.

• Eastern Highlands: Nyanga and Chimanimani highlands · 1,600–2,400 m along the eastern borderbest weather

  Rain falls mostly November–March; April–May and September–October are the driest and clearest. Nights drop near freezing in June–August.

• Lake Kariba-Lower Zambezi: Kariba and the Zambezi valley · Lake shore and low-lying valleyfine

  The valley is hot year-round; October and November push past 35 °C (95 °F) before the rains break. May to September is dry, cooler and the best game viewing as vegetation thins and animals come to water.The valley is hot year-round; October and November push past 95 °F (35 °C) before the rains break. May to September is dry, cooler and the best game viewing as vegetation thins and animals come to water.

• Mashonaland: Harare and the highveld · most of Mashonaland, about 1,400–1,500 mfine

  Warm wet season November–March with afternoon storms; dry, sunny and cool May–September, cold nights June–July. October is hot and dry before the rains.

• Matabeleland: Bulawayo and the Matobo Hills · southwest highveldfine

  Dry season roughly May–October is best for game and rock-art walks; the rains come roughly November–March with afternoon storms and green bush. Southern Matabeleland is hot and dusty for much of the year.

• Southeastern Zimbabwe: Masvingo and the Midlands · Higher ground, 1,000 m+best weather

  Warm days, cool nights; the rains run roughly November to March.

• Southeastern Zimbabwe: Gonarezhou lowveld · Save valley and the Limpopo belt, under 500 mfine

  Hotter than the plateau; May to September is the comfortable window and the best game viewing as water dries up.

• Victoria Falls29 °C (84 °F) / 15 °C (59 °F), 3 rain days84 °F (29 °C) / 59 °F (15 °C), 3 rain days
• Bulawayo26 °C (79 °F) / 13 °C (55 °F), 4 rain days79 °F (26 °C) / 55 °F (13 °C), 4 rain days
• Chimanimani25 °C (77 °F) / 15 °C (59 °F), 7 rain days77 °F (25 °C) / 59 °F (15 °C), 7 rain days
• Chinhoyi27 °C (81 °F) / 14 °C (57 °F), 5 rain days81 °F (27 °C) / 57 °F (14 °C), 5 rain days
• Gweru32 °C (90 °F) / 16 °C (61 °F), 6 rain days90 °F (32 °C) / 61 °F (16 °C), 6 rain days
• Harare26 °C (79 °F) / 13 °C (55 °F), 5 rain days79 °F (26 °C) / 55 °F (13 °C), 5 rain days
• Kariba26 °C (79 °F) / 12 °C (54 °F), 4 rain days79 °F (26 °C) / 54 °F (12 °C), 4 rain days
• Kwekwe27 °C (81 °F) / 13 °C (55 °F), 8 rain days81 °F (27 °C) / 55 °F (13 °C), 8 rain days
• Masvingo33 °C (91 °F) / 16 °C (61 °F), 6 rain days91 °F (33 °C) / 61 °F (16 °C), 6 rain days
• Mutare24 °C (75 °F) / 13 °C (55 °F), 7 rain days75 °F (24 °C) / 55 °F (13 °C), 7 rain days

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.

• Easter weekend

  Mar–Apr (moves yearly — check)

  Regional visitors at Victoria Falls and Kariba.

• Independence Day

  18 Apr

  National celebrations; offices close.

• Peak water at the falls

  Mid-March to May · Victoria Falls

  Heavy spray, limited view, soaked visitors; rain gear needed.

• Peak water

  Mid-March to May · Victoria Falls

  Heavy spray and a limited view.

Crowds · Zimbabwe

Medium

Prices · Zimbabwe

Medium

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

Nothing unusual for the weather this month.

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Rated best or good this month

• Highveld

  Best weather of the year (Harare, Bulawayo, Great Zimbabwe, Matobo)

• Victoria Falls

  Very high water, cooler; take a rain layer.

• Chimanimani

  Best months: Apr–Oct

• Chinhoyi

  Best months: Apr–Oct (dry season, easier road travel)

• Gweru

  Best months: Apr–Oct

• Masvingo

  Best months: Apr–Oct

• Mutare

  Best months: Apr-Oct (dry, clear mountain views)