Our Stop Press notice is updated regularly, usually at season transitions when activities are changing because of water levels flowing over Victoria Falls or when special events are in the pipeline.

Stop Press

Monday 26 February: A bumper rainy season has been being experienced and we "high water" operations have stopped and will recommence when river levels drop in around May.

For current reports and flood assessments go to the FEWS NET site or contact us.

A rough guide to the Zambezi rafting season

Seasonal summer rains start around mid-November each year and usually end in April.
Water in the catchment area in western Zambia and Angola only hits Victoria Falls early in January then rises rapidly and usually results in peak floods over the falls in mid-April. Water levels drop steadily for the rest of the season until the new rains start.
April to around mid June is "super high" season - if levels are excessive, rafting will often close for about 4 weeks from the end of April.
"High water" season precedes the main floods in February and March and follows as water recedes in June and July.
We have a "medium low" season during August, September and in January, just after fresh water is hitting Victoria Falls.
"Low water" is from October to December when the Zambezi shows it's wildest colors!

A rough guide to weather conditions

Rains ... summer rains and dry winters...

The dry season generally runs from May to October through the southern fall (autumn), winter and into spring.

The summer wet season itself, also referred to as the "green season", generally starting with fresh rains in November heralds the arrival of migrant birds as mammals disperse in search of fresh growth - the bush gets thick, insects flourish, birding improves, game viewing deteriorates. The summer rains are generally characterized by torrential downpours followed by sunshine during the day. Deep rains and flood conditions, if they occur, hammer us in January and February. The rivers take time to swell and peak in March and April.

Temperatures ... moderate winters, hot summers...

Temperatures during our southern winter are moderate and generally very comfortable by comparison with northern winters…as an example, a mid-winter rafting expedition can be tackled in shorts, rafters and T-shirt with a fleece and joggers to ward off the evening chill - temperatures at the time will rarely drop below 13 degrees Celsius.

On the other hand we experience extremely high temperatures just before the rains - we regard October and November as our "suicide months" with day time temperatures exceeding 40 degrees and not dropping below 30 degrees for nights on end.

In mid November our rains usually start. It's a release from about six weeks of hell for local residents and insects alike!

The Zambezi River Report

Stop Press

A rough guide to the Zambezi rafting season

A rough guide to weather conditions

Rains ... summer rains and dry winters...

Temperatures ... moderate winters, hot summers...