The best times to visit South Luangwa National Park for ideal weather are
March 26th to September 16th
based on average temperature and humidity from NOAA (the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration). Read below for more weather and travel details.
South Luangwa National Park Travel Guide
Other South Luangwa National Park Travel Info
Weather in South Luangwa National Park
Temperature
Average temperatures in South Luangwa National Park vary somewhat. Considering humidity, temperatures feel nice most of the year, excluding some hot weeks in the summer, with a very low chance of precipitation throughout the year. The area is more temperate than most — in the 68th percentile for pleasant weather — compared to tourist destinations worldwide. Weeks with ideal weather are listed above. If you’re looking for the very warmest time to visit South Luangwa National Park, the hottest months are November, October, and then December. See average monthly temperatures below. The warmest time of year is generally early to mid October where highs are regularly around 94.9°F (34.9°C) with temperatures rarely dropping below 64.3°F (17.9°C) at night.
South Luangwa National Park Temperatures (Fahrenheit)
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South Luangwa National Park Temperatures (Celsius)
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“Feels-Like” Temperatures
The way we experience weather isn’t all about temperature. Higher temperatures affect us much more at higher humidity, and colder temperatures feel piercing with high winds. Our perceived temperatures factor in humidity and wind chill to better represent how hot or cold the day feels to a person.
South Luangwa National Park Perceived Temperature (F)
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South Luangwa National Park Perceived Temperature (C)
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Average South Luangwa National Park Temperatures by Month
Daily highs (averaged for the month) usually give the best indication of the weather. A significantly lower mean and low generally just means it gets colder at night.
Show Fahrenheit
| Month | Avg. High (°F) | Avg. Mean (°F) | Avg. Low (°F) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 81.9 | 71.8 | 64.8 |
| Feb | 82.2 | 71.8 | 64.7 |
| Mar | 82.6 | 70.8 | 61.8 |
| Apr | 78.9 | 68.5 | 59.5 |
| May | 78.7 | 65 | 52.9 |
| Jun | 76.7 | 62.2 | 49.6 |
| Jul | 76.4 | 61.8 | 47.7 |
| Aug | 81.5 | 67 | 52.9 |
| Sep | 86.7 | 72.1 | 58.1 |
| Oct | 90.8 | 77.8 | 64.1 |
| Nov | 89.4 | 77.8 | 67.2 |
| Dec | 84.3 | 74.4 | 66.8 |
Show Celsius
| Month | Avg. High (°C) | Avg. Mean (°C) | Avg. Low (°C) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 27.7 | 22.1 | 18.2 |
| Feb | 27.9 | 22.1 | 18.2 |
| Mar | 28.1 | 21.6 | 16.6 |
| Apr | 26.1 | 20.3 | 15.3 |
| May | 25.9 | 18.3 | 11.6 |
| Jun | 24.8 | 16.8 | 9.8 |
| Jul | 24.7 | 16.6 | 8.7 |
| Aug | 27.5 | 19.4 | 11.6 |
| Sep | 30.4 | 22.3 | 14.5 |
| Oct | 32.7 | 25.4 | 17.8 |
| Nov | 31.9 | 25.4 | 19.6 |
| Dec | 29.1 | 23.6 | 19.3 |
Precipitation (Rain or Snow)
If dry weather is what you’re after, the months with the lowest chance of significant precipitation in South Luangwa National Park are May, June, and then August. Note that we define “significant precipitation” as .1 inches or more in this section. The lowest chance of rain or snow occurs around mid March. For example, on the week of March 19th there are no days of precipitation on average. By contrast, it’s most likely to rain or snow in early February with an average of 2 days of significant precipitation the week of February 5th.
When can you find snow in South Luangwa National Park? Weather stations report no annual snow. Please note that a value of 0 for snow in the graph below may either mean there was no snow, or that snow is unreported.
Chance of Precipitation
The graph below shows the % chance of rainy and snowy days in South Luangwa National Park.
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Snow on the Ground
The graph below shows the average snow on the ground in South Luangwa National Park (in).
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Average Rain and Snow by Month
Show Inches
| Month | Daily Chance of Rain | Average Snow Depth (in) | Total Precipitation (in) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 24% | 0 | 4.4 |
| Feb | 17% | 0 | 2.5 |
| Mar | 8% | 0 | 1.4 |
| Apr | 7% | 0 | 2.4 |
| May | 0% | 0 | 0 |
| Jun | 0% | 0 | 0 |
| Jul | 1% | 0 | 0.7 |
| Aug | 0% | 0 | 0 |
| Sep | 0% | 0 | 0 |
| Oct | 0% | 0 | 0 |
| Nov | 0% | 0 | 0 |
| Dec | 7% | 0 | 1.4 |
Show Centimeters
| Month | Daily Chance of Rain | Average Snow Depth (cm) | Total Precipitation (cm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 24 | 0 | 11.2 |
| Feb | 17 | 0 | 6.4 |
| Mar | 8 | 0 | 3.6 |
| Apr | 7 | 0 | 6.1 |
| May | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Jun | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Jul | 1 | 0 | 1.8 |
| Aug | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Sep | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Oct | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Nov | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Dec | 7 | 0 | 3.6 |
Humidity and Wind
South Luangwa National Park has some very humid months, and slightly dry months in the opposite season. The least humid month is October (36.2% relative humidity), and the most humid month is February (76.4%).
Wind in South Luangwa National Park is usually calm. The windiest month is October, followed by September and May. October’s average wind speed of around 6.7 knots (7.7 MPH or 12.3 KPH) is considered “a light breeze.” Maximum sustained winds (the highest speed for the day lasting more than a few moments) are at their highest in early to mid October where average top sustained speeds reach 15.5 knots, which is considered a moderate breeze.
Relative Humidity (%)
The graph below shows the average % humidity by month in South Luangwa National Park.
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Wind
The graph below shows wind speed (max and average) in knots.
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Average Wind Speeds
Show Wind Speeds
All wind speeds are in knots. 1 knot = 1.15 MPH or 1.85 KPH.
| Month | Avg. Wind | Avg. Wind Feel | Sustained High Wind | High Wind Feel |
| Jan | 4.2 | Light breeze | 9 | Gentle breeze |
| Feb | 4.6 | Light breeze | 10 | Gentle breeze |
| Mar | 5.2 | Light breeze | 10.2 | Gentle breeze |
| Apr | 6 | Light breeze | 11.7 | Significant breeze |
| May | 6.2 | Light breeze | 12.3 | Gentle breeze |
| Jun | 5.7 | Light breeze | 12.1 | Significant breeze |
| Jul | 5.4 | Light breeze | 11.9 | Gentle breeze |
| Aug | 5.8 | Light breeze | 11.5 | Significant breeze |
| Sep | 6.6 | Light breeze | 12.8 | Gentle breeze |
| Oct | 6.7 | Light breeze | 12.9 | Significant breeze |
| Nov | 5.8 | Light breeze | 11.2 | Gentle breeze |
| Dec | 4.1 | Light breeze | 8.9 | Gentle breeze |
Show Relative Humidity by Month
| Month | Avg. Relative Humidity |
|---|---|
| Jan | 75.5% |
| Feb | 76.4% |
| Mar | 72.9% |
| Apr | 73.6% |
| May | 64.1% |
| Jun | 54.8% |
| Jul | 51.4% |
| Aug | 43.6% |
| Sep | 38.4% |
| Oct | 36.2% |
| Nov | 41.6% |
| Dec | 59.4% |
Is it Safe to Travel to South Luangwa National Park?
Our best data indicates this area is generally safe, except in a few regions. As of Dec 04, 2023 there are regional travel advisories for Zambia; exercise normal security precautions and avoid some areas. Check this page for any recent changes or regions to avoid: Travel Advice and Advisories. This advisory was last updated on Oct 26, 2023.
The Busiest and Least Crowded Months
The busiest month for tourism in South Luangwa National Park, Zambia is August, followed by July and May. Prices for hotels and flights will be most expensive during these months, though you can save if you purchase well in advance. Tourists are unlikely to visit South Luangwa National Park in October. Those willing to visit at these times will likely find it the least expensive month.
Estimated Tourism by Month
Most Popular Months to Visit
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Overall South Luangwa National Park Travel Experience by Season
Fall (March through May)
Humidity and temperatures combine to make this season feel warm. Highs range from 83.8°F (28.8°C) and 76.8°F (24.9°C) with colder temperatures in the later months. Rain is rare with 0 to 3 days of significant precipitation per month. Fall is the second busiest for tourism, which makes it a good time for those looking for things to do.
Winter (June through August)
The middle-year months have comfortably cool weather with high temperatures that are comfortable. These months see moderate precipitation with about 0 days of precipitation per month. June – August is the busiest season for tourism in South Luangwa National Park, so lodging and other accommodations may cost more than usual.
Spring (September through November)
Spring daily highs range from 94.9°F (34.9°C) and 82.7°F (28.2°C), which will feel very nice given the humidity and wind. It rains or snows a trivial amount: approximately 0 days per month. Tourism is the slowest during these months due to the weather, so hotels may be affordably priced.
Summer (December through February)
Weather is perfect this time of year in South Luangwa National Park to be enjoyable for warm weather travelers. The average high during this season is between 88.3°F (31.3°C) and 80.5°F (26.9°C). On average, it rains or snows a fair amount: 2 to 7 times per month. These times of year are fairly slow with tourists.
Best Times to Travel› Zambia › South Luangwa National Park, Zambia