When to go · Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe in September
Great month. Hot and dry; game concentrated at water.
Key facts
- Verdict
- Great
- Crowds
- High
- Zimbabwe
- Prices
- High
- Zimbabwe
Verdict
Hot and dry; game concentrated at water.
Is another month better than September?
No other month rates higher than September for Zimbabwe in this guide.
Weather in September
- 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 Falls32 °C (90 °F) / 14 °C (57 °F), 1 rain days90 °F (32 °C) / 57 °F (14 °C), 1 rain days
- Bulawayo28 °C (82 °F) / 12 °C (54 °F), 1 rain days82 °F (28 °C) / 54 °F (12 °C), 1 rain days
- Chimanimani26 °C (79 °F) / 14 °C (57 °F), 3 rain days79 °F (26 °C) / 57 °F (14 °C), 3 rain days
- Chinhoyi29 °C (84 °F) / 12 °C (54 °F), 1 rain days84 °F (29 °C) / 54 °F (12 °C), 1 rain days
- Gweru27 °C (81 °F) / 13 °C (55 °F), 3 rain days81 °F (27 °C) / 55 °F (13 °C), 3 rain days
- Harare28 °C (82 °F) / 12 °C (54 °F), 1 rain days82 °F (28 °C) / 54 °F (12 °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
- Kwekwe22 °C (72 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 2 rain days72 °F (22 °C) / 48 °F (9 °C), 2 rain days
- Masvingo28 °C (82 °F) / 16 °C (61 °F), 6 rain days82 °F (28 °C) / 61 °F (16 °C), 6 rain days
- Mutare26 °C (79 °F) / 12 °C (54 °F), 3 rain days79 °F (26 °C) / 54 °F (12 °C), 3 rain days
Crowds and prices
- Crowds · Zimbabwe
- High
- Prices · Zimbabwe
- High
High-price month: see what to book ahead.
Compare two months
Weather, crowds and prices for any two months in Zimbabwe, side by side.
Verdict
Sep: Great
May: Great
Crowds
Sep: High
May: Medium
Prices
Sep: High
May: Medium
Festivals listed
Sep: 0
May: 5
September: Hot and dry; game concentrated at water.
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
Nothing unusual for the weather this month.
Where to go in September
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)
Hot; lower water shows more of the gorge.
Best months: Apr–Oct
Best months: Apr–Oct (dry season, easier road travel)
Best months: Apr–Oct
Best months: May–Oct (dry season)
Best months: May–Oct
Best months: Apr–Oct
Best months: Apr-Oct (dry, clear mountain views)