If you’re planning a trip to Victoria Falls in the fall months, you probably want to get a feel for the weather. Expect warm days, cooler nights, and mostly dry weather with loads of sunshine. That mix makes fall a really comfortable time to explore the falls and the landscapes around them.
The heavy summer rains back off, leaving behind clearer skies and much lower humidity. The air feels fresh, the ground dries out, and you can enjoy outdoor activities without the hassle of extreme heat or constant storms.
You’ll find steady sunshine and mild weather, which is perfect for sightseeing, river cruises, or catching some wildlife. When you know what to expect, it’s easier to plan your days and really make the most of Victoria Falls.
Overview of Fall in Victoria Falls
Fall in Victoria Falls brings steady changes in temperature, rainfall, and sky conditions. Nights get cooler, skies clear up, and humidity drops off fast as the season goes on. That makes it a great time for outdoor adventures or just planning a trip.
Defining the Fall Season
In Victoria Falls, fall runs from March through May. During these months, daily highs gradually fall from about 86°F (30°C) in early March to around 80°F (27°C) by late May.
Nights cool off even more, with lows moving from the mid-60s °F (18–19°C) in March to the low-50s °F (10–12°C) by May.
As the season moves along, the skies clear up a lot. In March, you might see more than half the sky covered in clouds, but by May, it’s mostly clear. That’s great for sightseeing and photography.
Humidity drops a lot, too. Early in the season, the air still feels a bit muggy, but by late May, it’s dry and comfortable. All these changes make fall one of the most pleasant times to check out the town, the Zambezi River, and the national parks nearby.
Transition from Dry to Wet Periods
Fall marks the shift from the wet season into the dry season. March can still bring some rain, averaging around 3.5 inches (90 mm), but by May, you’ll hardly see any—often less than 0.1 inches (2 mm) for the month.
This drop in rain changes the Zambezi River and the falls. In March, the falls are at their peak, with heavy spray and thunderous water. By May, the flow starts to ease up, and you get better visibility as the mist clears.
Daylight hours shrink during this time, from about 12 hours 26 minutes in early March to just over 11 hours by late May.
Even though the days get a bit shorter, the clearer skies and lower humidity make it perfect for game drives, river cruises, or walking tours.
Early fall gives you dramatic water levels at the falls, while late fall brings drier, cooler weather that’s just right for outdoor fun.
Average Daytime Temperatures in Fall
Daytime temperatures in Victoria Falls during fall start out warm and humid, then cool off and dry out by the end. You’ll notice the highs and lows change quite a bit as the season goes on.
Typical Highs and Lows
In early fall, average daytime highs hit about 86°F (30°C), while lows hover near 67°F (19°C). By late May, highs drop closer to 80°F (27°C), and lows chill down to around 51°F (11°C).
You’ll get warm afternoons but much cooler mornings and evenings, especially as the season wraps up. It’s smart to pack light clothes for the day and some warmer layers for night.
For quick reference:
- Warmest fall afternoons: mid-March, around 86°F (30°C)
- Coolest fall mornings: late May, near 51°F (11°C)
These ranges make fall one of the most comfortable times to visit. The heat isn’t as harsh as summer, and nights stay well above freezing.
Temperature Trends from September to November
Through fall, you’ll see a steady cooling trend. In March, highs usually hang out in the mid-80s°F (around 30°C), but by May, they’re closer to the upper 70s°F (25–27°C).
Lows drop even faster, falling about 16°F (9°C) over the season. Early fall nights are still mild, but late fall mornings get pretty crisp, especially before sunrise.
As things cool down, humidity drops, and the air just feels nicer. Early fall keeps a bit of summer’s warmth, but late fall really starts to feel like the dry winter is on the way.
If you’re planning to be outside, expect warmer weather in March and April, then more moderate temps by May.
Rainfall Patterns and Rainy Days
Rainfall in Victoria Falls follows a pretty clear pattern. You get heavy showers in summer and almost no rain during the dry winter. The number of rainy days changes a lot too, from frequent storms in January to barely any in August.
Monthly Average Rainfall
Most rain falls between November and March, with January being the wettest month. January averages about 200 mm, and February and December also bring plenty, with 150–180 mm each.
From June through August, you’ll see almost no rain—usually less than 1 mm. The yearly average is about 750–770 mm, putting Victoria Falls in a moderate rainfall zone compared to other spots in southern Africa.
The wettest months matter for the Zambezi River, since they affect how much water and spray you’ll see at the Falls.
Here’s a simple breakdown of average rainfall:
| Month | Avg. Rainfall (mm) |
|---|---|
| January | ~200 |
| February | ~170 |
| March | ~90 |
| April | ~30 |
| May | ~5 |
| June–Aug | ~0 |
| September | ~5 |
| October | ~30 |
| November | ~90 |
| December | ~160 |
Number of Rainy Days
Rainy days match up with rainfall totals. In January, you’ll usually get 15–20 rainy days, often with quick but strong afternoon storms.
February and December also have plenty of showers, averaging 12–15 wet days.
By April, things dry out, with only 3–5 rainy days. From May through August, rain is rare, and you might go weeks without a single drop.
As the season shifts in October and November, rainy days jump to about 5–10 per month, signaling the start of the wet season. These patterns stay pretty steady year after year, so you can count on them when you’re planning your trip.
Clear Skies and Cloud Cover
In the fall months, Victoria Falls’ skies go from cloudy at the start to mostly clear by the end. This change really affects visibility, sunshine, and how comfortable it is to be outdoors.
Prevalence of Clear Skies
You’ll see more clear skies as fall goes on. Early on, clouds are still common, but by late May, most days are clear.
On the sunniest days, you have over a 90% chance of clear or mostly clear skies. That’s perfect for seeing the falls and the landscapes around them.
Travelers get bright sunlight for photos and sightseeing. Clear skies also mean lower humidity, so the air feels drier and more pleasant than earlier in the year.
Seasonal Changes in Cloudiness
Cloudiness drops fast throughout fall. Early March brings overcast or mostly cloudy skies nearly half the time. By late May, that’s down to less than 10%.
Rainfall drops off, so the air holds less moisture, and clouds just don’t form as often.
By late fall, you can count on long stretches of sunshine. Reduced cloudiness not only gives you better views, but also means nights get cooler, since heat escapes more quickly after sunset.
Sunshine Hours During Fall
If you visit Victoria Falls in fall, you’ll get plenty of daylight and lots of clear skies. Sunshine is pretty consistent, but the exact number of hours shifts as the season moves along.
Average Daily Sunshine
From March through May, you usually get between 9 and 10 hours of sunshine per day. March averages 8.6 to 9 hours, April sits close to 9 hours, and May brings nearly 10 hours daily.
This abundance of sunshine is great if you’re planning outdoor activities like game drives or river cruises. The steady daylight means you don’t have to worry much about your plans getting rained out.
Compared to the rainy summer, fall gives you brighter days and hardly any interruptions from clouds or showers. The shorter daylight in March stretches a bit by May, making late afternoons really pleasant.
Variation in Sunshine Across Fall
Sunshine hours change gradually from early to late fall. March still has some leftover cloud cover from the rainy season, so you get a bit less direct sun. On average, skies are partly cloudy about 10 days that month.
By April, clouds thin out, and sunshine sticks around longer. May is the sunniest fall month, with barely any rain and close to 10 hours of sunlight per day. Humidity drops too, which helps keep the air clear.
So, if you visit in March, expect a mix of sun and clouds. By May, you’ll get long, bright days with hardly any interruptions—perfect for photography and sightseeing.
Humidity and Wind Conditions
In fall, you’ll notice humidity in Victoria Falls drops steadily as the rainy season fades, while winds stay light to moderate. These changes make outdoor activities more comfortable and the climate a lot easier to handle than in the sticky summer.
Relative Humidity Levels
Humidity falls fast from early to late fall. In March, average humidity hovers around 65–70%, but by May it’s often down to 30–40%. This really marks the switch from wet to dry season.
With lower humidity, the air feels less sticky and skies clear up. By May, it’s much drier, which makes walking near the falls or exploring parks way more pleasant.
Evenings and mornings can feel cooler, since dry air loses heat faster after sunset. If you’re sensitive to dry air, you might find yourself reaching for extra water or lotion.
As humidity drops, visibility gets better. That’s a bonus for sightseeing, photography, and safari trips, since haze from moisture just isn’t much of an issue.
Typical Wind Speeds
In fall, wind speeds usually stay pretty modest, hovering between 6 to 12 km/h (4–7 mph). You’ll notice these light breezes drifting in from the east or southeast, which actually helps keep the daytime heat from getting too overwhelming.
Strong winds? You hardly ever run into them during this season. Gusts above 20 km/h (12 mph) just don’t show up much, so outdoor tours feel safe and, honestly, pretty predictable.
You’ll also see less dust than in those blustery spring months. That means you get clearer views of the waterfall spray and the landscape around you.
Since winds stay steady but gentle, you can plan river cruises, hikes, or wildlife drives without really worrying about the weather messing things up. The breeze cools you a little, but doesn’t get in the way of your plans.
Travel Considerations for Fall Weather
Fall in Victoria Falls brings cooler evenings, less rain, and clearer skies compared to the wet season. These changes can shape which outdoor activities you’ll actually enjoy, and they definitely affect what you’ll want to pack to stay comfortable.
Best Outdoor Activities
Rainfall drops off sharply from March into May, so trails and viewpoints around Victoria Falls get a lot easier to access. The ground dries out, and the skies usually stay clear, giving you a much better look at the falls and the landscape.
Wildlife viewing gets better in this season. Animals start gathering near the Zambezi River and waterholes as other sources dry up, which makes game drives and walking safaris way more interesting. May, in particular, is a great time to spot elephants, buffalo, and antelope.
Adventure activities like white-water rafting and helicopter flights are also big draws. River levels drop compared to the peak rainy season, which makes rafting safer and gives you clearer views from above.
Sunset cruises on the Zambezi feel just right in the cooler evenings, plus you’ll deal with fewer mosquitoes than during the wetter months.
Photography really shines at this time of year. Lower humidity and those clear skies mean your images come out sharper, especially at sunrise and sunset. The spray from the falls sticks around but isn’t as heavy as during the rainiest months, so you can actually capture wide views without fighting mist on your lens.
Packing Suggestions
Plan for warm days, but don’t forget how cool it gets at night. Daytime highs usually land between 26 and 30 °C. Nights, though, can dip down to around 11 °C. So, toss in some light clothing for the day and grab a warm jacket or sweater for those chilly evenings.
You’ll want a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen—the sun still packs a punch, even when it doesn’t feel all that hot out. Comfortable walking shoes really help out on trails and game drives, especially since the ground isn’t always smooth.
Rain doesn’t show up much by late fall. Still, if you’re coming earlier in the season, a light rain jacket or waterproof layer could save the day if you hit a surprise shower.
For safari days, go with neutral-colored clothing like beige, green, or brown. These shades help you blend in. Bright colors and dark blues? Skip them—they can actually attract insects.
Don’t forget insect repellent, especially if you plan to be near the river. A small dry bag keeps your electronics safe from spray at the falls. These items help you stay comfortable and ready for whatever your trip throws at you.