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When to go · Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe in March

Good month. Falls near peak; spray visible from miles away.

Key facts

Verdict
Good
Crowds
Medium
Zimbabwe
Prices
Medium
Zimbabwe

Verdict

GoodVoykit month rating for Zimbabwe

Falls near peak; spray visible from miles away.

Is another month better than March?

March is rated good. These months rate higher:

Weather in March

  • Victoria Falls and Hwange · Victoria Falls, Hwangerainy

    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, Karibarainy

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

  • Highveld · Harare, Bulawayo, Great Zimbabwe, Matobofine

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

  • Eastern Highlands · Nyanga, Bvumba, Chimanimanirainy

    Misty and cool; hiking best April–October.

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

    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 valleyrainy

    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.

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

    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.

  • 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+rainy

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

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

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

  • Victoria Falls30 °C (86 °F) / 18 °C (64 °F), 7 rain days
  • Bulawayo27 °C (81 °F) / 15 °C (59 °F), 7 rain days
  • Chimanimani27 °C (81 °F) / 17 °C (63 °F), 10 rain days
  • Chinhoyi28 °C (82 °F) / 16 °C (61 °F), 10 rain days
  • Gweru30 °C (86 °F) / 14 °C (57 °F), 8 rain days
  • Harare26 °C (79 °F) / 15 °C (59 °F), 10 rain days
  • Kariba28 °C (82 °F) / 13 °C (55 °F), 4 rain days
  • Kwekwe30 °C (86 °F) / 14 °C (57 °F), 15 rain days
  • Masvingo32 °C (90 °F) / 14 °C (57 °F), 9 rain days
  • Mutare25 °C (77 °F) / 15 °C (59 °F), 11 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.

  • Easter weekend

    Mar–Apr (moves yearly — check)

    Regional visitors at Victoria Falls and Kariba.

  • 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 and prices

Crowds · Zimbabwe
Medium
Prices · Zimbabwe
Medium

Compare two months

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

  • Verdict

    Mar: Good

    May: Great (better)

  • Crowds

    Mar: Medium

    May: Medium

  • Prices

    Mar: Medium

    May: Medium

  • Festivals listed

    Mar: 3

    May: 5

March: Falls near peak; spray visible from miles away.

May: Falls still high; dry season starts in the parks.

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

What to pack

  • A rain jacket or umbrella and shoes that dry fast

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