Fall in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe brings a real change in both temperature and rainfall. It’s honestly one of the most comfortable times to explore the city.
You’ll get warm days that slowly cool off as the season moves on, and there’s less rain and more blue skies than during the soggier summer months. This mix of mild weather and low humidity makes fall a great time for outdoor activities or travel.
During fall, daytime highs start in the upper 70s and drop to the low 70s Fahrenheit (mid-20s Celsius). Nights cool down, often dipping into the low 50s Fahrenheit (about 10°C).
Rainfall drops off quickly from early to late fall, so you get drier days and more sunshine. The skies clear out, offering stretches of bright weather without much cloud cover.
If you visit Bulawayo in fall, you’ll notice daylight hours shrinking as the season moves along. Still, the mix of sunshine, mild temps, and light breezes makes it a pretty inviting time to be outside.
Overview of Fall Weather in Bulawayo
Fall in Bulawayo signals the move from the wet summer to cooler, drier weather heading into winter. You’ll notice shorter days, clearer skies, and a steady drop in both daytime and nighttime temperatures.
Defining the Fall Season in Zimbabwe
Fall in Zimbabwe runs from March through May. It sits between the hot, rainy summer and the cooler, dry winter.
In Bulawayo, you’ll see a clear drop in rainfall and cloud cover during these months. At the start of March, you might still catch a few showers, but by late May, rain is rare.
The chance of a wet day drops from about 29% in early March to just 2% by the end of May.
Daylight hours shorten too. Early March brings sunrises around 6:03 am and sunsets near 6:32 pm, giving you about 12.5 hours of daylight.
By late May, daylight shrinks to about 11 hours, with sunrises coming later and sunsets earlier.
Typical Fall Weather Patterns
Temperatures in Bulawayo cool off steadily through fall. Daily highs fall from about 27°C (81°F) in March to around 23°C (73°F) in May.
Nighttime lows drop more sharply, from 17°C (63°F) to about 10°C (50°F).
Humidity drops too. Early March can feel a bit muggy, but by May, the air is dry and crisp.
Cloud cover fades fast. In March, you might see partly cloudy skies, but by late May, it’s clear nearly 93% of the time.
You’ll get more sunshine and fewer gray days. Winds stay light to moderate, averaging 14–16 km/h, mostly from the east.
With mild temps and dry air, you get a comfortable climate for outdoor fun or travel.
Average Fall Temperatures in Bulawayo
Fall in Bulawayo brings a steady cooling trend. Days stay warm and pleasant, while nights get noticeably cooler as the season moves on.
By the end of fall, you can expect crisp evenings and mild afternoons.
Daytime Temperature Ranges
During fall, daytime temperatures in Bulawayo usually range between 73°F and 81°F (23°C to 27°C).
Early in the season, highs reach the upper 70s to low 80s, so afternoons feel warm but not too hot.
By late fall, average highs land closer to the low 70s. It’s rare for daytime temps to go above 88°F (31°C), and they don’t often drop below 65°F (18°C).
Afternoons are just right for getting outside without the heavy heat of summer. The warmth feels steady and reliable, which is nice if you like predictable weather.
Nighttime Temperature Ranges
Nights cool off quickly in Bulawayo during fall. Average lows go from around 62°F (17°C) in early March to about 50°F (10°C) by late May.
On cooler nights, temps can dip to 45°F (7°C), though rarely lower.
Warmer nights might linger near 66°F (19°C), especially early in the season.
Bulawayo’s elevation—over 4,400 feet—makes nights even chillier. You’ll probably want a light jacket or sweater, especially if you’re out in the evenings or early mornings.
Month-by-Month Temperature Breakdown
- March: Highs average 79–81°F (26–27°C), with lows around 60–62°F (16–17°C). Days are still warm, but nights start to cool.
- April: Highs drop to about 75–77°F (24–25°C), and lows settle near 54–56°F (12–13°C). The change at night becomes more obvious.
- May: Highs reach 72–74°F (22–23°C), while lows fall to 49–51°F (9–10°C). Evenings are crisp, and mornings can feel chilly.
You can see how fall gently moves Bulawayo from the warmth of summer to the cooler, drier days of winter. The month-to-month changes are easy to follow, so it’s not hard to plan for both sunny afternoons and cooler nights.
Rainfall and Humidity During Fall
Bulawayo’s rainfall drops off steadily from the rainy summer, and humidity levels fall too.
You’ll notice shorter showers, fewer wet days, and clearer skies as the season heads into the dry winter.
Precipitation Levels by Month
Rainfall in Bulawayo during fall goes from moderate to almost nothing. In March, you might get 60–70 mm of rain, which is still the tail end of the wet season.
By April, rainfall drops sharply to about 25–30 mm. In May, rain is minimal, averaging 5–10 mm.
Most days in May pass without measurable rain. As a visitor, you’ll notice the landscape drying out and skies staying clear for longer.
Rainy Days and Dry Spells
Rainy days fade fast as fall goes on. In March, you might see 6–8 days with some rain, usually short afternoon storms.
These storms aren’t as strong as those in December or January. By April, rainy days drop to 2–3 per month, and showers are lighter.
In May, rain is rare, with only 1 day on average recording measurable precipitation.
You’ll get longer dry spells as the season moves forward. If you’re planning outdoor activities, April and May offer more reliable dry weather than March.
Humidity Trends
Humidity in Bulawayo slides down along with rainfall. In March, relative humidity hangs around 60–65%, especially in the mornings.
The air can feel a bit damp, but it’s not really uncomfortable. By April, humidity falls closer to 50%, and evenings feel cooler and less sticky.
In May, the air is much drier, with average humidity around 40–45%, which is typical before winter’s dry season.
Lower humidity means better visibility and more comfort, especially if you like dry air. It also means afternoon thunderstorms are less likely, making late fall one of the more stable weather periods in Bulawayo.
Sunshine and Daylight Hours in Fall
During fall in Bulawayo, you’ll see daylight hours and total sunshine slowly decrease. The season starts with longer, brighter days but shifts to shorter days as winter gets closer.
Average Daily Sunshine
Early fall brings about 8 to 9 hours of sunshine per day, giving you plenty of bright conditions.
As the season goes on, this average drops a bit, but skies stay clearer than in the rainy summer.
By May, cloud cover is at its lowest, with clear or mostly clear skies dominating more than 90% of the time.
Late fall becomes one of Bulawayo’s sunniest periods. With less rain, you don’t get many interruptions from storms or thick clouds.
If you’re visiting, you can count on steady sunshine, especially in April and May, which are popular for outdoor plans.
Seasonal Changes in Daylight
Daylight hours drop steadily through fall. In March, you get about 12 hours and 29 minutes of daylight.
By late May, you’re down to just 11 hours. That’s nearly 90 minutes less daylight over the season.
Each week, you lose about 7 minutes of light, which you’ll notice if you’re out in the evenings.
Sunrise shifts from about 6:03 AM in early March to around 6:33 AM by late May. Sunset changes even more, from 6:32 PM in March to about 5:33 PM at the end of May.
Evenings get darker earlier, so if you want to do things outside, it’s better to plan for earlier in the day.
Wind and Other Weather Conditions
During fall in Bulawayo, wind patterns shift and rainfall keeps dropping. Temperatures ease off from summer’s heat, and the air dries out, which affects both comfort and visibility.
Typical Wind Speeds
Winds in Bulawayo during fall stay moderate but noticeable. In March, breezes average around 12–14 km/h (7–9 mph), often blowing in from the east or southeast.
By April, winds slow a bit, and by May, you feel calmer, lighter breezes as the dry season nears.
Early fall winds help keep daytime temps comfortable, even when highs are still in the mid-20s °C (mid-70s °F).
This steady airflow also knocks down humidity levels, making evenings feel cooler than the numbers suggest.
You don’t usually get strong gusts in fall like you might in spring or early summer. Instead, you feel a gentle movement of air that clears the sky and keeps clouds from building up.
Fall really is one of the more pleasant times for outdoor activities, since dust and haze aren’t as much of a problem as in the dry winter.
Other Atmospheric Factors
Humidity drops sharply through the fall. In March, relative humidity averages near 65%, but by May it’s closer to 55%, making the air feel much drier.
With less moisture, you see fewer rainy days—April gets about 10 mm of rain, and May is even drier.
Clear skies take over most of the season. Sunshine hours stay high, often over 8–9 hours per day, so you get bright days for sightseeing.
Less cloud cover means cooler nights, with lows dipping into the lower teens °C (around 50s °F).
Visibility improves as rain fades, making it easier to travel by road and enjoy scenic views. The mild daytime warmth and stable conditions are something many visitors appreciate at this time of year.
Travel Tips for Visiting Bulawayo in Fall
Temperatures in Bulawayo during fall swing from warm afternoons to cooler nights. Rainfall drops off sharply as the season goes on.
You’ll want to pack for changing weather and plan activities that take advantage of the clear skies and mild climate.
What to Pack for Fall Weather
Pack clothes that’ll work for both warm days and those unexpectedly chilly evenings. During the day, you’ll probably want lightweight shirts and trousers since highs hang out in the mid-20s °C (somewhere between 73–27°C).
But once the sun dips, it gets cool—sometimes near 10°C. Honestly, you’ll be glad you threw a light jacket or sweater into your bag.
If you’re heading to Matobo National Park or wandering around outdoor markets, go for sturdy footwear. Closed shoes keep your feet safe from dust and those uneven paths.
On hotter afternoons, you might prefer sandals or something breathable. Your feet will thank you.
Bulawayo’s fall hardly sees much rain, so don’t worry about packing heavy rain gear. Still, I’d bring a compact umbrella or a thin raincoat, especially in early March, just in case those showers show up.
You can’t skip sun protection. The skies stay clear, and that means more UV. Grab sunglasses, a hat, and sunscreen.
Bring a refillable water bottle too. The afternoons can feel pretty dry, and you’ll want to stay hydrated.
Best Outdoor Activities
Honestly, fall feels like one of the best times to get out and explore Bulawayo’s cultural and natural gems. The dry weather brings good conditions for wildlife viewing in nearby reserves like Matobo National Park. You can track rhinos or join a guided hike if you’re up for it.
City walking tours get a lot more comfortable in fall, too. You might wander through Bulawayo’s colonial-era streets, pop into the Natural History Museum, or check out local craft markets without sweating through the summer heat.
Clear skies and barely any rain make this season perfect for day trips. Khami Ruins, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a great pick. The cooler afternoons mean you can explore for longer without feeling wiped out.
If you’re into photography, fall serves up bright light and long, clear days. You’ll find plenty of chances to capture landscapes and wildlife. Outdoor dining gets a boost, too, since lots of local restaurants open up shaded seating that’s actually pleasant now.