Dry season runs from May to October and is typically the best time to go to Zimbabwe. Water is scarce and the rivers and few permanent watering holes attract larger herds and a variety of species to specific and predicable locations for viewing. This is especially true in Hwange National Park, where pumped water holes maintained by safari lodges attract large numbers of elephant in particular. This time of year also presents the lowest malaria risk to travelers.
The best times to view Victoria Falls tend to be June through September, when the climate is dry. The quantity of water is not so large that the spray blocks the view of the Falls, but still strong enough that the falls are more than the slight trickle that they become by end of dry season.
The overall best time to go for all national parks and game-viewing in Zimbabwe is May through September. May through August offer the most pleasant temperatures and possible afternoon rains that seldom interrupt the day’s activities. September and October are also great times to visit the parks, but higher temperatures and increased humidity make long days a little more challenging. Park activity is quiet and less crowded from November through April, and many lodges even close their operations during the height of the wet season which spans from December through March.
The trip was not only memorable for the amount of animals we saw but also for the people and accommodations at the two camps where we stayed. Our first guide, BK, was a wealth of information about the animals, landscape and down to the plants and what they were used for. Everyday out was a learning experience with him. All the people at the camps were gracious and the food was excellent.
Our second camp in the Okavanga was just as good as the first as far as the staff, accommodations, food and animals. After our experience at the first camp we amazed that the high quality remained the same. Our guide, G, made sure we were able to enjoy every experience including a rush through the bush to witness a cheetah and an ensuing hunt that he heard over his radio.
In both camps there were enough guides out that if they saw something the other guides were informed which helped in seeing as much as possible. It was also nice that the concessions were large enough that we did not have vehicles following each other throughout the day.
Normally there is always something in a trip of this length that we think could be improved upon but this is the rare case where we cannot think of anything. From the time we left the States to when we returned it was one of the most hassle free vacations we took.
Perhaps emphasizing the use of the laundry facilities at the camps would be useful because of the luggage restrictions would be the only thing I can think of as an improvement to future clients.
Kenneth Dropek
2 days ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.