When to go · Zambia
Zambia in October
Good month. 'Suicide month': 40 °C in the valleys; peak game; falls low.
Key facts
- Verdict
- Good
- Crowds
- Medium
- Zambia
- Prices
- High
- Zambia
Verdict
'Suicide month': 40 °C in the valleys; peak game; falls low.
Weather in October
- Livingstone and the falls · Livingstone, Mosi-oa-Tunyahot
Peak flow and spray March–May; Devil's Pool opens as water drops (about mid-August to January). By November the Zambian side can be a dry cliff.
- Luangwa Valley · South and North Luangwahot
Hot, low valley; most camps open about May–November. 'Emerald season' boat safaris at a few camps Jan–Mar.
- Lower Zambezi · Lower Zambezi NP, Chiawahot
Camps close about November–March; canoeing and tiger-fishing season from May.
- Kafue and the west · Kafue, Busanga Plains, Liuwa Plainfine
Busanga Plains floods until about July; Liuwa's wildebeest migration comes with the first rains (Nov).
- Plateau · Lusaka, Copperbelt, Bangweuluhot
At 1,200 m: pleasant; Bangweulu shoebills are easiest to see Mar–Jul.
Festivals and holidays
Dates as our data lists them. Moving holidays (lunar and Islamic calendars, Easter) shift every year: check the date for your year before you build a trip on it.
Independence Day
24 Oct
National celebrations.
Crowds and prices
- Crowds · Zambia
- Medium
- Prices · Zambia
- High
High-price month: see what to book ahead.
What to pack
- Light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and sunscreen