Victoria Falls Weather in January

January: warm and wet

January feels hot, humid and often cloudy. Rain falls on many days, usually in showers, so you may get a bright spell between them. The Victoria Falls rainforest can be slippery, and the spray may blend into the damp air.

You can still visit the falls and enjoy the lush scenery. Keep flexible plans for helicopter flights, as cloud and rain can affect views. January isn't the best month for clear skies or long, dry hikes around the gorge.

What to do

Take your time on the paths in Victoria Falls National Park, where rain can make the ground slick. The falls are building towards their high-water season, but January isn't yet the time for their fullest flow. For wildlife, expect thick greenery to make animals harder to spot on safari.

If you hate crowds, January can suit you better than the drier May-to-July peak. It's generally a quieter, lower-season month, and stays may cost less than in the busiest months. Rain can still disrupt some plans, though.

Holidays and local tips

New Year's Day is a public holiday in Zimbabwe. The famous Victoria Falls Carnival is usually held around New Year, but its main celebrations take place in late December, not January.

Travelling with kids? Give the rainforest paths extra time, especially after rain. At the main falls, stick to marked routes rather than stepping around puddles near the edge. The views can change quickly as clouds move, so pause at the viewpoints when a clear spell opens.