Zimbabwe, formerly Rhodesia, is a country located in southern Africa, just north of the Tropic of Capricorn, and almost entirely occupied by a plateau, at an altitude between 1,200 and 1,600 metres (3,900 and 5,200 feet), which tempers the climate. There are three main seasons: a rainy season, hot and humid, from mid-November to mid-March, a cool season, dry and sunny, from mid-May to mid-August, and a brief period of intense heat at the end of the dry season, between mid-August and mid-November, before the rains that come during the month of November. The rains lower a bit the temperature, while increasing relative humidity. This kind of climate, with a long dry season, almost always produces a savannah landscape, except in the highest mountains, where forests are found. The highest peak is Mount Nyangani, 2,592 metres (8,504 feet) high, located in the east, in the Nyanga National Park.
In much of the country, the annual rainfall ranges from 550 to 900 millimetres (21.5 to 35.5 inches). The rains occur primarily in the form of showers and thunderstorms in the afternoon. The wettest regions are the north and the east, while the driest region is the south, in the Limpopo Valley, on the border with South Africa, where rainfall drops below 400 mm (16 in) per year. In the latter region, the altitude drops to around 500/600 metres (1,600/2,000 feet), while in the south-eastern strip, at the border with Mozambique, where the Gonarezhou National Park is found, it goes down to around 200/300 metres (650/1,000 feet). Another area where the altitude drops to around 500 metres (1,600 feet) is found in the north, and it's that of Lake Kariba. It goes without saying that the areas where the altitude is lower, are also the hottest, and in October and November highs can reach 40 °C (104 °F).
Here are the average temperatures of Kariba, near the lake of the same name, at 500 metres (1,600 feet) above sea level.

The capital Harare is located in the northeast of the country, at 1,500 metres (5,000 feet) above sea level, and has a temperate climate: it's pleasantly warm from September to April, with highs around 26/29 °C (79/84 °F), even though there's a bit of sticky heat at the height of the rainy season, ie from December to February. The dry season, from May to August, it's cooler, with highs around 22/24 °C (72/75 °F), and lows around 7/9 °C (45/48 °F). In the coldest nights, the temperature can approach freezing (0 °C or 32 °F). The coolest period, however, is also the sunniest. In October and November it can be hot during the day, but not as much as in the lowlands, below 1,000 metres (3,300 feet).
Here are the average temperatures.

In Harare, 840 mm (33 in) of rain fall in an average year, of which more than 150 mm (6 in) from December to February, the rainiest period, while it almost never rains from May to September. Here is the average precipitation.

In Harare, and in general in Zimbabwe, the sun shines regularly in the dry period, while in the rainy season the sun alternates with the clouds.

The famous Victoria Falls are located in the north-west, in the Zambezi river, about 1,000 metres (3,300 feet) above sea level. Here are the average temperatures.




The Hwange National Park is located in the south-west, it covers nearly 15,000 square kilometres (6,000 sq mi), and is home to a large number of savannah animals such as lions, elephants and cheetahs.

Tropical cyclones

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Sometimes Zimbabwe can be affected by tropical cyclones, which originate in the Indian Ocean, and after passing over Mozambique can reach the eastern regions of the country. Typically they lose strength when penetrating in the mainland, but are still able to bring a good amount of wind and rain. Some cyclones that hit the country were Leon-Eline in late February 2000, Japhet in early March 2003, and Dineo in mid-February 2017.
The cyclone season runs from mid-November to May, but they are most likely from late December to mid-April. One more reason to avoid the rainy and sultry season.

When to go

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The best time to visit Zimbabwe runs from mid-May to August, having a cooler weather and almost no rain, even though it can get cold at night, especially above 1,500 metres (5,000 feet). Usually in mid-August the temperature begins to rise, and the cold at night becomes less likely. In September and October, the heat can be intense during the day, although at high altitudes the nights remain cool.
The rainiest period, hot and muggy and therefore less advisable, runs from December to February.

What to pack

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In winter (June to August): light clothes for the day, as well as sweater, jacket and hat for the evening.
In summer (December to February): light clothes for the day, sun hat; a sweatshirt and a spring jacket for the evening, especially above 1,000 metres (3,300 feet); light raincoat or umbrella.