Zimbabwe in May

Falls still high; dry season starts in the parks.

No other month rates higher than May for Zimbabwe in this guide.

• Victoria Falls and Hwange · Victoria Falls, Hwangebest weather

  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, Karibabest weather

  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, Chimanimanibest weather

  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 valleybest weather

  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 mbest weather

  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 highveldbest weather

  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 mbest weather

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

• Victoria Falls27 °C (81 °F) / 11 °C (52 °F), 1 rain days81 °F (27 °C) / 52 °F (11 °C), 1 rain days
• Bulawayo24 °C (75 °F) / 10 °C (50 °F), 1 rain days75 °F (24 °C) / 50 °F (10 °C), 1 rain days
• Chimanimani23 °C (73 °F) / 12 °C (54 °F), 4 rain days73 °F (23 °C) / 54 °F (12 °C), 4 rain days
• Chinhoyi26 °C (79 °F) / 11 °C (52 °F), 2 rain days79 °F (26 °C) / 52 °F (11 °C), 2 rain days
• Gweru30 °C (86 °F) / 15 °C (59 °F), 4 rain days86 °F (30 °C) / 59 °F (15 °C), 4 rain days
• Harare24 °C (75 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 1 rain days75 °F (24 °C) / 48 °F (9 °C), 1 rain days
• Kariba24 °C (75 °F) / 10 °C (50 °F), 3 rain days75 °F (24 °C) / 50 °F (10 °C), 3 rain days
• Kwekwe24 °C (75 °F) / 10 °C (50 °F), 3 rain days75 °F (24 °C) / 50 °F (10 °C), 3 rain days
• Masvingo33 °C (91 °F) / 18 °C (64 °F), 4 rain days91 °F (33 °C) / 64 °F (18 °C), 4 rain days
• Mutare23 °C (73 °F) / 10 °C (50 °F), 4 rain days73 °F (23 °C) / 50 °F (10 °C), 4 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.

• Workers' Day

  1 May

  Public holiday.

• Africa Day

  25 May

  Public holiday.

• Peak water at the falls

  Mid-March to May · Victoria Falls

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

• Workers' Day and Africa Day

  1 May and 25 May · Victoria Falls

  Public holidays; shorter opening hours.

• 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

• Victoria Falls and Hwange

  Best weather of the year (Victoria Falls, Hwange)

• Zambezi Valley

  Best weather of the year (Mana Pools, Lower Zambezi side, Kariba)

• Highveld

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

• Eastern Highlands

  Best weather of the year (Nyanga, Bvumba, Chimanimani)

• Victoria Falls

  Falls still full; the dry season starts.

• Bulawayo

  Best months: May–Aug (cool, dry)

• Chimanimani

  Best months: Apr–Oct

• Chinhoyi

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

• Gweru

  Best months: Apr–Oct

• Harare

  Best months: May–Oct (dry season)

• Kariba

  Best months: May–Oct

• Kwekwe

  Best months: May–August (dry, cool)