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Zambia - Fast Facts

Seasons & Weather: Zambia has 3 distinct seasons:

• A cool dry winter period between May and August. Rivers and water sources tend to recede and game viewing improves steadily at this time.

• A hot and dry period from August to mid-November. October and the early part of November prior to the onset of rains can be staggeringly hot in both the Luangwa and Zambezi valleys with temperatures regularly sitting in the mid-40°C's (approx. 100°F). Game tends to concentrate around the little available water and if you can handle high temperatures, then this is the ideal time for game viewing.

• A hot to warm wet season from mid-November through to the end of April. The onset of the rains makes the remote areas very difficult to explore and many seasonal camps are closed. A limited number of "green season" safaris are available

Game Viewing is best during the dry season from May through October. Bird watching can be exceptional during the rains when a lot of migratory birds are present..

Recommended Reading:

• "Zambia" by Chris McIntyre, published by Bradt.
• "Africa: A Biography of the Continent", by John Reader, published by Penguin.
• "Missionary Travels and Researches in South Africa", by David Livingstone
• "Pole to Pole", by Michael Palin, published by BBC
• The Eye of the Elephant", by Mark and Delia Owens, published by HarperColins.