Skip to content
Voykit

When to go · Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe in November

Mixed month. First rains; some camps close from mid-month.

Key facts

Verdict
Mixed
Crowds
Low
Zimbabwe
Prices
Medium
Zimbabwe

Verdict

MixedVoykit month rating for Zimbabwe

First rains; some camps close from mid-month.

Is another month better than November?

November is rated mixed. These months rate higher:

Weather in November

  • Victoria Falls and Hwange · Victoria Falls, Hwangehot

    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, Karibahot

    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, Chimanimanifine

    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 valleyhot

    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 Falls33 °C (91 °F) / 19 °C (66 °F), 8 rain days
  • Bulawayo29 °C (84 °F) / 16 °C (61 °F), 9 rain days
  • Chimanimani28 °C (82 °F) / 17 °C (63 °F), 10 rain days
  • Chinhoyi30 °C (86 °F) / 17 °C (63 °F), 10 rain days
  • Gweru28 °C (82 °F) / 13 °C (55 °F), 8 rain days
  • Harare28 °C (82 °F) / 16 °C (61 °F), 8 rain days
  • Kariba28 °C (82 °F) / 13 °C (55 °F), 5 rain days
  • Kwekwe27 °C (81 °F) / 12 °C (54 °F), 10 rain days
  • Masvingo31 °C (88 °F) / 13 °C (55 °F), 10 rain days
  • Mutare27 °C (81 °F) / 15 °C (59 °F), 11 rain days

Crowds and prices

Crowds · Zimbabwe
Low
Prices · Zimbabwe
Medium

Compare two months

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

  • Verdict

    Nov: Mixed

    May: Great (better)

  • Crowds

    Nov: Low

    May: Medium

  • Prices

    Nov: Medium

    May: Medium

  • Festivals listed

    Nov: 0

    May: 5

November: First rains; some camps close from mid-month.

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

  • Light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and sunscreen

Build the full packing list for your trip →