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
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.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, 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.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 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.
- Matabeleland: Bulawayo and the Matobo Hills · southwest highveldrainy
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 days86 °F (30 °C) / 64 °F (18 °C), 7 rain days
- Bulawayo27 °C (81 °F) / 15 °C (59 °F), 7 rain days81 °F (27 °C) / 59 °F (15 °C), 7 rain days
- Chimanimani27 °C (81 °F) / 17 °C (63 °F), 10 rain days81 °F (27 °C) / 63 °F (17 °C), 10 rain days
- Chinhoyi28 °C (82 °F) / 16 °C (61 °F), 10 rain days82 °F (28 °C) / 61 °F (16 °C), 10 rain days
- Gweru30 °C (86 °F) / 14 °C (57 °F), 8 rain days86 °F (30 °C) / 57 °F (14 °C), 8 rain days
- Harare26 °C (79 °F) / 15 °C (59 °F), 10 rain days79 °F (26 °C) / 59 °F (15 °C), 10 rain days
- Kariba28 °C (82 °F) / 13 °C (55 °F), 4 rain days82 °F (28 °C) / 55 °F (13 °C), 4 rain days
- Kwekwe30 °C (86 °F) / 14 °C (57 °F), 15 rain days86 °F (30 °C) / 57 °F (14 °C), 15 rain days
- Masvingo32 °C (90 °F) / 14 °C (57 °F), 9 rain days90 °F (32 °C) / 57 °F (14 °C), 9 rain days
- Mutare25 °C (77 °F) / 15 °C (59 °F), 11 rain days77 °F (25 °C) / 59 °F (15 °C), 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