About Thorntree River Lodge
Following a complete rebuild under new ownership, Thorntree River Lodge opened its doors to guests in May 2017.
The lodge sits on the banks of the Zambezi River inside Zambia’s Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park, and has been re-built with a focus on the environment, combining contemporary ideas with African-style structures.
The rebuilt Thorntree River Lodge is arguably Livingstone’s finest lodge within the Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park. It’s luxurious, comfortable and stylish, offering attentive service and a wonderful connection to the bush – with a passionate landscaper who is hard at work planting plenty of trees and shrubbery. We couldn’t fault it!
Our view
The rebuilt Thorntree River Lodge is arguably Livingstone’s finest lodge within the Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park. It’s luxurious, comfortable and stylish, offering attentive service and a wonderful connection to the bush – with a passionate landscaper who is hard at work planting plenty of trees and shrubbery. We couldn’t fault it!
Country manager: Zambia
Accommodation
12 suites
Children
Best for 10+
Open
All year
Activities
Birdwatching
Boat trip
Canoeing
Cultural excursion
Elephant encounter
Fishing
Helicopter
Kayaking
Microlight
White-water rafting
Traveller reviews of Thorntree River Lodge
7 real, un-edited reviews from Expert Africa's travellers.
Expert Africa's gallery
When we travel we take lots of photos ourselves to give you a real and un-edited view of the trips. See our 12 pictures of Thorntree River Lodge to get the candid view.
View galleryThorntree River Lodge: Our full report
Following a complete rebuild under new ownership, Thorntree River Lodge opened its doors to guests in May 2017.
The lodge sits on the banks of the Zambezi River inside Zambia’s Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park, and has been re-built with a focus on the environment, combining contemporary ideas with African-style structures.
Thorntree River Lodge is owned and run by the respected African Bush Camps (ABC). It has been designed to complement its surroundings, with wooden decks encompassing the trees, and built right up to the banks of the mighty Zambezi. There is plenty of glass, stone, copper, canvas and wood, with designs drawing inspiration from the local culture and customs
Thorntree is a sister camp to Somalisa Camp in Zimbabwe and Linyanti Bush Camp and Khwai Tented Camp in Botswana. It is the newest addition to ABC’s Zambia portfolio – with no expenses spared! We spent two nights here in early June 2017, and although construction wasn’t quite complete, it was looking beautiful. The building work had finished by our last visit in September 2017, and though we didn't have the chance to stay overnight, we enjoyed our visit and lunch at this stylish addition to Livingstone's accommodation options.
The lodge has a total of ten suites made up of eight double or twin suites and two family suites. All are identical in style and design, but the family units have an inter-leading passageway that joins the two bedrooms – ideal for families with young children in a park where wild animals do roam around at night. It will take some time for landscaping to be complete and for the foliage to grow up between the suites, but for now they’ve done a good job of erecting wooden screens to give the suites privacy from each other.
Each suite is built on a wooden deck, raised slightly off the ground, and has solid walls with a canvas roof that still gives a slightly tented feel. You enter from the back, through a chunky teak wood door, made from old railway sleepers. The interior is very elegant, decorated in neutral tones with plenty of light wood, copper and steel, and fabrics of blues and white. The narrow entrance hall has a slim bar counter with a kettle and coffee plunger, a bar fridge stocked with water, beers and soft drinks, and a drinks trolley with a bottle of wine, Amarula liquor and whisky. Drinks can be stocked on request, and all local brands are included in your stay.
Along with either a king-size bed or twin beds under a four-poster mosquito net, you’ll find a cosy seating area in a little enclave off to the side. The front wall is all glass with sliding doors that lead outside to a private deck and plunge pool overlooking the Zambezi River. Behind the bedroom is a very spacious open-plan bathroom with a dressing room complete with plenty of storage space, dressing gown and slippers, a digital safe, hairdryer and universal plug points. The vanity area has porcelain twin basins with a modern steel-drum base and complimentary amenities. The deep bath has views outside and from the large walk-in shower there are glass doors to a second, outdoor shower. The toilet is separate, behind a frosted glass, pivoting door.
At the heart of the new Thorntree, the main area has two large circus-style tents with stone walls at the back and frameless glass stacking doors to the front, leading out onto an expansive deck overlooking the river. The lounge has four separate seating areas with an array of comfortable chairs, sofas and beanbags, a central fireplace and bar (with a fantastic cappuccino machine!) and a medley of contemporary and more rustic lights hanging from the reed ceiling.
In the separate dining room, there’s a configuration of either group or individual tables, and a mismatch of chairs which all add to the very clever combination of textures and design. The focal point here is the wine cellar, set behind glass doors in a temperature-controlled room.
The outside deck has plenty of comfortable seating areas and more dining options – all with fantastic views. The U-shaped boma has a safari camp feel with a sandy floor, and solid brick benches topped with soft cushions. It surrounds a magnificent steel sculptured firepit which is host to pre- and post-dinner drinks. The infinity pool is another focal point, with four sunloungers lying in shallow water at the edge of the pool. The tall palm tree and rim-flow pool definitely give this side of the lodge a very Mediterranean feel.
Behind the main area is a separate library with a small lounge with DSTV and (intermittent) WiFi. You’ll also find a separate spa and a small gym built in two adjoining structures, designed to look like traditional Zambian Lozi huts, and to give a sense of a traditional Zambian village. Both face towards the back of camp, where plenty of landscaping is still taking place. We’ve been told that it’s going to have water channels and lots of indigenous foliage: a refreshing change to the river view from the rest of the camp. We even got to plant our very own sausage tree!
Thorntree River Lodge is only 12km upstream from the Victoria Falls, and your stay here includes a guided tour of the Zambian side of the Falls, plus a myriad of other activities. These range from rhino trekking on foot and game drives in Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park, to a visit to one of the local villages to learn about the customs, heritage and daily life of the local communities, a sunset river cruise (in their private boats,) fishing and a visit to the Livingstone Museum. You’ll need a minimum of three nights here to enjoy all of this!
Geographics
- Location
- Livingstone & Victoria Falls, Zambia
- Ideal length of stay
- A stay of two to three nights would usually be typical, depending on how many activities in Livingstone and at the Falls you wish to partake in. We recommend three nights here!
- Directions
- There are daily flights to Livingstone Airport from both Lusaka and Johannesburg, and direct flights from Cape Town and Nairobi on certain days of the week. Then it's an approximate ten-minute drive to Thorntree River Lodge.
Alternatively, it's possible to transfer overland from Botswana and Zimbabwe, or you can connect via a short flight transfer from Hwange National Park to Victoria Falls Airport, followed by a road transfer to the lodge. - Accessible by
- Fly-and-Transfer
Food & drink
- Usual board basis
- Full Board & Activities
- Food quality
- The food that we had at Thorntree River Lodge on our last visit, in June 2017, was excellent. They have a brilliant chef with plenty of years’ experience. With advance notice, those with allergies or other dietary requirements can be catered for.
The day begins with a wake-up call, with the time depending on which morning activity you’ve chosen to do. Breakfast usually includes a small selection of fruit, muesli, yoghurt, freshly squeezed orange juice and croissants straight from the oven, all served to your individual table. A cooked breakfast can be ordered.
Lunch is à la carte and is served on request when guests are back from their activities. On our last visit they had prepared tasty chicken wraps with a small side salad.
Afternoon tea, usually with something sweet and savoury on offer, is served on the main deck overlooking the river.
Dinner is three courses and can be enjoyed inside or out on the deck. When we visited the evenings were cold but we still chose to sit outside and were provided with warm blankets. For starters we had butternut soup and fresh bread rolls, followed by a choice of three mains – beef fillet, crispy coconut-baked bream or vegetarian steaks. Dessert was a tasty chocolate mousse.
For our second night at the lodge we started with tomato soup and baked bread, followed by pork, beef and vegetable espetada, each served separately. This was finished off with pecan nut tart with an orange reduction. - Dining style
- Individual Tables
- Dining locations
- Indoor and Outdoor Dining
- Further dining info, including room service
- Private dinners can be arranged in your suite on request but the lodge tries to discourage this as they don’t want to encourage monkeys.
- Drinks included
- All water, soft drinks and local brands of beer, wine and spirits are included in your stay.
Children
- Attitude towards children
- Children of all ages may stay at Thorntree River Lodge
- Property’s age restrictions
- None
- Special activities & services
- The family suites are ideal for families with children as you can walk between the two bedrooms at night. They are spacious and an extra bed can be added on request.
Babysitting is available on request. - Equipment
- When we visited in June 2017 their cot beds hadn’t arrived yet. They were expecting them to be delivered within the next 6 weeks.
- Generally recommended for children
- Although families are welcome at Thorntree River Lodge, the lodge is within Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park and elephants and hippos do roam through the camp. The swimming pool and plunge pools are unfenced, and the Zambezi River flows in front of the lodge. For these reasons, we consider that it is best suited to older children who understand the importance of safety.
- Notes
- Be aware that this is a malarial area.
Children need to be under parental supervision at all times.
Our travellers’ wildlife sightings from Thorntree River Lodge
Since mid-2018, many of our travellers who stayed at Thorntree River Lodge have kindly recorded their wildlife sightings and shared them with us. The results are below. Click an animal to see more, and here to see more on our methodology.
100% success
100% success
100% success
75% success
75% success
75% success
Communications
- Power supply notes
- At the moment Thorntree River Lodge is on mains electricity, but they are in the process of installing a system that will allow them to switch over to full solar. This means they generally use solar but the mains will be there as a back up.
- Communications
- There is cellphone reception at the lodge, and WiFi in the library.
- TV & radio
- The lodge has a TV with DSTV in the library.
- Water supply
- Other
- Water supply notes
- Water is pumped from the Zambezi River and purified with state of the art equipment using a UV filter system - bio rock filters and treated before being distributed to the whole property.
Sustainability
Architecture inspired by African wilderness
What sets Thorntree River Lodge apart is its environmentally-conscious design, thoughtfully inspired from local customs and cultures. A key requirement Thorntree’s management had when building the lodge was to not only minimize the camp’s footprint on the environment, but to also effortlessly blend it within the surrounding landscape to maintain the feel of an authentic Africa.
Simplistic, yet warm and tranquil, the guest tents are protected by the shade of the riverine vegetation, offering a calm and peaceful ambience that eliminates the need of using air conditioning. Furthermore, fitting the tents with insulated paneling maintains a constant temperature, regardless of the weather conditions. Also, taking into account the location of the lodge on the fragile banks of the Zambezi River, lightweight rigid walls, pre-fabricated bathroom pods and compact fabric elements were used to limit the pressure put on the soil. Moreover, details of the suite interiors and furnishings are sustainably designed and produced by local craftsmen and merchants, which is one of the many examples of how Thorntree is empowering the local communities.
Although Thorntree River Lodge was only opened in 2017, its design in perfect harmony with the world heritage site, as well as the way it combines style with sustainable living has already brought it admiration of world-known publications, being named one of the top luxury hotel openings of 2017 by Travel + Style Magazine.
See more great sustainability projects in Zambia
Health & safety
- Malarial protection recommended
- Yes
- Medical care
- The nearest doctor is in Livingstone, about 30 minutes’ drive away.
- Dangerous animals
- Moderate Risk
- Security measures
- There are guards on site at night to escort you to your suite after dark. Every suite has a digital safe.
- Fire safety
- Fire extinguishers are positioned throughout the lodge and outside every suite.
Activities
Birdwatching
Boat trip
Canoeing
Cultural excursion
Elephant encounter
Fishing
Helicopter
Kayaking
Microlight
White-water rafting
Extras
- Disabled access
- On Request
- Laundry facilities
- A full laundry service is included, except for ladies’ underwear, for which washing powder is provided in the bathrooms.
- Money
- No exchange facilities are offered.
- Accepted payment on location
- Thorntree River Lodge can accept payments by Visa and Mastercard. They can also accept cash payments in USD, PULA, ZAR, EURO, GBP and Zambian’s local ZK.
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Thorntree River Lodge's location
Look closer at the environment and surroundings of Thorntree River Lodge.
Excursions from Thorntree River Lodge
Optional extra day-trips and excursions possible whilst you're staying at Thorntree River Lodge. Talk to us: these are usually best arranged before you go.
Chobe Day Trip
Full day - typically around 11 hours
For a top safari experience while visiting the Victoria Falls, don’t miss a day trip to Botswana’s Chobe National Park. Easily reachable from Livingstone, Zambia or Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, Chobe boasts some of the best wildlife densities in southern Africa, with exceptional numbers of elephant drawn by the permanent waters of the Chobe River.
More about Chobe Day Trip
Fishing on the Zambezi River
Three hours or Seven hours
Many people head to Livingstone not just to see the Victoria Falls, but also to relax after an international flight or a busy safari, and a perfect way to do this is with a fishing trip on the calmer sections of the Zambezi River above the falls, drifting with the current, casting your line, and keeping an eye out for wildlife on the banks.
More about Fishing
Guided tour of Victoria Falls
Two hours - AM & PM departures
One of the seven Natural Wonders of the World, the mighty Victoria Falls has to be seen to be believed. Why not take an expertly guided trip to learn about the history, geology, flora and fauna of one of Africa's most spectacular sites?
More about Tour of the Falls
Helicopter Flight - Zambia
12 or 25 minute flights
Witnessing the power of the Victoria Falls from the ground is a stunning sight, but to see the world’s largest waterfall from the air is a very different experience! A helicopter flight over the Falls is truly incredible, and a worthy addition to your time in Livingstone.
More about Helicopter Flight
Historical Bridge Tour
Two hours - AM & PM departures
A feat of engineering the Victoria Falls Bridge was built in 1905 as part of Cecil Rhodes' vision to link the Cape to Cairo. With an expert guide and the appropriate safety equipment you'll not only discover the wonders of this Victorian marvel but also gain a unique perspective of the Victoria Falls themselves.
More about Bridge Tour
Livingstone Island & Devil's Pool
Three hours
Victoria Falls is one of the world's natural wonders, and a huge attraction for many visitors to southern Africa. We're often asked if the waterfall is best viewed from the Zambian or Zimbabwean side, but we think the best way to experience the full majesty of the falls is from the middle with a visit to Livingstone Island.
More about Livingstone Island
Rhino Walk
Around four hours - mornings only
Spend an unforgettable morning on a walking safari tracking Mosi-oa-Tunya’s small population of white rhino, with a strong chance of being able to approach these endangered creatures on foot.
More about Rhino Walk
Royal Livingstone Express
Four hours approx.
The Royal Livingstone Express is a lovingly restored steam train. Guests steam along the original Rhodesian railway line onto the stunning Victoria Falls Bridge. From here guests can marvel at the falls and the Batoka Gorge before enjoying 5-courses of fine dining.
More about Royal Livingstone Express
The Elephant Café
Approximately four hours
Visiting The Elephant Café is a great combination of a magical elephant encounter and fine dining. Spend time getting to know the elephants, some of them rescued from the wild many years ago, and others born into the herd. Then sit down and enjoy a delicious meal overlooking the Zambezi.
More about The Elephant CaféOther lodges in Livingstone & Victoria Falls
Alternative places to stay in this same area.
Avani Victoria Falls
Just a few minutes' walk from the Victoria Falls, with access for guests included, the Avani features good facilities in peaceful grounds at a modest price.
Royal Livingstone Hotel
Conveniently located just a short walk from the Zambia. side of the Victoria Falls, the colonial-style Royal Livingstone has beautiful grounds and small but quite luxurious rooms.
Tongabezi
Secluded on the banks of the Zambezi, less than 20km from the Victoria Falls, Tongabezi is one of the most exclusive lodges in Zambia.
Waterberry Lodge
Offering great value for money and within easy reach of the Victoria Falls, Waterberry is a small, family-friendly lodge on the banks of the Zambezi River.
Islands of Siankaba
In a lovely location on the Zambezi upriver of the Victoria Falls, Islands of Siankaba provides a tranquil setting to relax at the start or end of a safari to Botswana or Zambia.
Toka Leya Camp
The new Toka Leya Camp stands beside the Zambezi inside Mosi-Oa-Tunya National Park – so wildlife often passes through. It's a comfortable tented camp which has great service and includes a range of activities.
The River Club
The River Club, near Zambia's town of Livingstone and the Victoria Falls, overlooks the Zambezi River.
Sindabezi
Sindabezi, near Zambia's town of Livingstone and the Victoria Falls, is an island in the middle of the Zambezi River
David Livingstone Lodge
The four-star David Livingstone Safari Lodge is in a lovely spot on the edge of the Zambezi River in Zambia, close to the Victoria Falls.
Tangala House
Tangala House, the family home near Zambia's town of Livingstone and the Victoria Falls
Sussi & Chuma
Sussi & Chuma combines a luxurious, laid-back camp with a good location on the Zambezi River, with quick access to the Victoria Falls.
When to go to Livingstone & Victoria Falls
Our month by month guide: What it's like to visit Thorntree River Lodge in Livingstone & Victoria Falls
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Livingstone & Victoria Falls in January
At the peak of Livingstone's green season, expect heavy rainfall for a few hours most days with sunny spells in between. Temperatures remain high, reaching over 30°C/86°F with high humidity.
The landscape around Victoria Falls is lush and green, offering spectacular views of the falls at their fullest. However, the abundance of water disperses wildlife in Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park, making game viewing challenging.
The high water levels in the Zambezi River limit some activities like whitewater rafting and visits to Devil's Pool. On the bright side, this is an excellent time for birdwatching in the park, with many migratory species present.
The Livingstone Museum provides a great indoor activity option during rainy periods.
- Hot and humid with frequent rainfall
- Victoria Falls at high water level, misty views
- Lush green landscape, great for photography
- Wildlife dispersed, game viewing challenging
- Low tourist numbers, cheaper accommodation
Our view
This is not a great time to visit
Weather in January
Livingstone & Victoria Falls in February
February remains in the heart of the green season in Livingstone. Dramatic thunderstorms deliver a few hours of rain most days, interspersed with clear sunny skies.
Victoria Falls is at its most powerful, creating an impressive spectacle of mist and rainbows. The high water levels in the Zambezi River allow for thrilling boat trips, offering unique perspectives of the falls and surrounding landscapes.
While game viewing in Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park is limited due to thick vegetation, you might spot animals with newborns. The Livingstone Museum and local markets provide cultural experiences during rainy periods. This is also an excellent time to enjoy spa treatments and relaxation at riverside retreats, taking in the lush, green scenery.
- Peak of green season, hot and humid days
- Victoria Falls impressive but views obscured
- Birdwatching excellent with migratory species
- Most adventure activities unavailable
- Quiet tourist season, best hotel deals
Our view
This is not a great time to visit
Weather in February
Livingstone & Victoria Falls in March
March is the last month of Livingstone's green season, with heavy downpours still occurring most days. Water levels at Victoria Falls and the Zambezi River are at their highest, creating a magnificent, thunderous display. While this limits some activities like whitewater rafting and visits to Devil's Pool, it's an excellent time for scenic flights over the falls.
In Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park, wildlife viewing remains challenging due to thick vegetation, but patient observers might be rewarded with sightings of predators taking advantage of vulnerable young animals. The Livingstone Museum offers insights into local history and culture on rainy days.
As the season transitions, some adventure activities begin to resume, and the lush landscape provides stunning backdrops for photography.
- Rains begin to subside, still hot and humid
- Victoria Falls at its most powerful
- Landscape lush and green, photogenic
- Wildlife with young, but viewing difficult
- Fewer tourists, great for budget travellers
Our view
This is not a great time to visit
Weather in March
Livingstone & Victoria Falls in April
As Livingstone transitions from intense downpours to lighter, sporadic showers, April marks a shift in tourist activities. Victoria Falls remains impressive, though water levels start to decrease slightly. This is the first month when it's possible to visit Livingstone Island, offering unique views of the falls.
In Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park, as the landscape begins to dry, wildlife viewing gradually improves. Adventure activities like whitewater rafting on the Zambezi River start to become available again.
The Livingstone Museum and local craft markets provide cultural experiences, while the town's restaurants and bars offer a taste of local cuisine and nightlife. This is also an excellent time for relaxing spa treatments and golf, with pleasant temperatures and decreasing humidity.
- Transition month, rains becoming less frequent
- Victoria Falls spectacular but misty
- Adventure activities slowly resuming
- Wildlife viewing improving as bush thins
- Moderate tourist numbers, good value stays
Our view
This is not a great time to visit
Weather in April
Livingstone & Victoria Falls in May
May typically marks the start of Livingstone's dry season. While there's a chance of an odd shower, most days are clear and sunny. As winter approaches, temperatures start to drop, with highs around 26°C/79°F.
Victoria Falls remains impressive, but water levels decrease, improving visibility. This is an excellent time for activities like whitewater rafting on the Zambezi River and visiting Devil's Pool.
In Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park, game viewing improves as vegetation thins out. Walking safaris become more feasible, offering close encounters with wildlife. Cultural experiences at Livingstone and Mukuni villages are enjoyable in the mild weather. Adventure activities like bungee jumping and gorge swinging at Victoria Falls are in full swing.
- Start of dry season, clearer and cooler
- Victoria Falls views improving
- White water rafting season begins
- Game viewing getting better in national park
- Tourist numbers increasing, book in advance
Our view
A good time to visit, with pros & cons
Weather in May
Livingstone & Victoria Falls in June
Livingstone sees virtually no rainfall in June, with a strong chance of sunny days throughout. The humidity drops dramatically, and temperatures fall to around 10°C/50°F at night but still warm to 25°C/77°F during the day.
Victoria Falls offers clearer views as mist decreases, making it ideal for photography. This is a prime time for activities like whitewater rafting, bungee jumping, and visiting Devil's Pool. In Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park, the thinning vegetation significantly improves game viewing and walking safaris.
Sunset cruises on the Zambezi River are particularly beautiful this time of year. Early morning and late evening activities may require warm clothing.
- Cool dry days, chilly nights
- Victoria Falls views excellent
- Prime time for white water rafting
- Wildlife viewing good in Mosi-oa-Tunya park
- High season begins, busier and pricier
Our view
A very good time to visit
Weather in June
Livingstone & Victoria Falls in July
As the dry season continues in Livingstone, vegetation dies back and water becomes scarcer. This results in excellent game viewing in Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park, with wildlife clustering around remaining water sources.
July is the first month of winter, and while daytime temperatures are in the 20s Celsius / 70s Fahrenheit, nights can be cold. Victoria Falls offers clear views with reduced mist, ideal for photography and activities like the 'Flight of Angels' helicopter rides. This is peak season for whitewater rafting, bungee jumping, and gorge swinging.
Cultural tours to Livingstone and Mukuni villages provide warm daytime activities. Sunset cruises on the Zambezi River offer spectacular views and wildlife sightings. Remember to pack warm clothes for early morning and evening activities.
- Cool and dry, perfect weather
- Victoria Falls views at their best
- Ideal for all outdoor and water activities
- Excellent game viewing opportunities
- Peak tourist season, book well in advance
Our view
A very good time to visit
Weather in July
Livingstone & Victoria Falls in August
By August, Livingstone's landscape is dry, and wildlife in Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park congregates around remaining water sources, providing excellent game viewing opportunities. With virtually no chance of rain, sunny days are almost guaranteed.
The flow over Victoria Falls is reducing, so views are clear, not misty; there are often perfect conditions for activities like whitewater rafting and visits to Devil's Pool. This is an ideal time for walking safaris in the national park. Cultural experiences at local villages are enjoyable in the mild daytime temperatures. Adventure activities like bungee jumping and gorge swinging at the falls are popular.
Sunset cruises on the Zambezi River offer stunning views and wildlife sightings. Early morning and evening activities can be chilly, so warm clothing is recommended.
- Warm days, cool nights, very dry
- Low water levels, great for Devil's Pool
- White water rafting at its most thrilling
- Wildlife concentrated near water sources
- Very busy, highest prices for accommodation
Our view
Fantastic: the very best time to visit
Weather in August
Livingstone & Victoria Falls in September
September is one of the most popular times to visit Livingstone. Rain is almost unheard of, humidity is low, and temperatures are starting to climb. The flow over Victoria Falls can be greatly reduced and so offers clear views with minimal mist, perfect for photography and activities like the 'Flight of Angels' helicopter rides.
This is prime time for whitewater rafting on the Zambezi River and visiting Devil's Pool. In Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park, game viewing is at its best as wildlife clusters around scarce water sources. Walking safaris offer excellent opportunities to see animals up close.
Adventure activities like bungee jumping and gorge swinging are in full swing. Sunset cruises on the Zambezi are particularly beautiful this time of year.
- Hot days, warm nights, very dry
- Low water at the Falls, best for rock swimming
- Excellent for all adventure activities
- Peak time for wildlife viewing
- Still high season, busy and expensive
Our view
Fantastic: the very best time to visit
Weather in September
Livingstone & Victoria Falls in October
As the dry season peaks in Livingstone, the landscape is brown and barren. Victoria Falls is at its lowest flow, revealing the full extent of the rocky gorge. This is the best time for whitewater rafting on the Zambezi River and swimming in Devil's Pool.
In Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park, game viewing reaches its peak as animals concentrate around remaining water sources. However, temperatures can be uncomfortably hot, reaching over 40°C/104°F in the daytime. This makes walking safaris challenging, especially without shade.
Cultural experiences at local villages are best enjoyed in the cooler mornings or evenings. Adventure activities like bungee jumping and gorge swinging continue, but the heat can be intense. Sunset cruises on the Zambezi offer a cooler alternative and excellent wildlife viewing.
- Very hot days and nights
- Lowest water levels at Victoria Falls
- Best month for white water rafting
- Wildlife viewing excellent as water scarce
- Tourist numbers start to decrease
Our view
A very good time to visit
Weather in October
Livingstone & Victoria Falls in November
November typically marks the end of the dry season in Livingstone. While the timing of the first rains is uncertain, temperatures remain high and humidity builds.
Victoria Falls is at its lowest flow, offering unique views of the rocky gorge. This is the last chance for activities like swimming in Devil's Pool before water levels rise. In Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park, wildlife viewing can still be excellent early in the month, but animals start to disperse as soon as the rains arrive.
Adventure activities like bungee jumping and gorge swinging continue, weather permitting. As the month progresses, the landscape begins to transform with the first rains, bringing a burst of green growth.
- Hot and humid, occasional rain showers
- Water levels at Victoria Falls increasing
- Some adventure activities become limited
- Wildlife starts to disperse with early rains
- Shoulder season, fewer tourists
Our view
A good time to visit, with pros & cons
Weather in November
Livingstone & Victoria Falls in December
December marks the start of Livingstone's green season, with heavy thunderstorms most days interspersed by sunny spells. Victoria Falls begins to slowly increase in volume, offering a mix of clear views and building mist.
Water-based activities on the Zambezi River, like whitewater rafting, may be suspended as water levels rise.
In Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park, the arrival of rain disperses wildlife, making game viewing more challenging. However, this is an excellent time for birdwatching as migratory species arrive.
The Livingstone Museum provides a great indoor activity option during rainy periods. Cultural experiences at local villages offer insights into seasonal traditions. Despite the rain, adventure activities like bungee jumping and gorge swinging continue when weather permits. The landscape transforms into a lush, green paradise.
- Green season begins, hot and humid
- Victoria Falls gaining water volume
- Many adventure activities unavailable
- Wildlife dispersed, viewing more challenging
- Low season, quiet with cheaper rates
Our view
This is not a great time to visit
Weather in December
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