The Seasons
KNP (and Zambia as a whole) is dominated by two main seasons – the dry season and the wet season. The dry season runs from May through to October with the wet season from November to April. Many camps in the KNP are seasonal, closing early November and re-opening in April/May/June depending on circumstances. Self-drivers must be aware of the seasonality of the Park and the fact that many tracks (including some of the main routes through the park) become simply impassable.
Wet Season
November:
Generally the start of the true rains (after a few showers in October). The rains are a relief after the relentless heat of the end of the dry season and daytime temperatures are a manageable 30 degrees C. It can be a beautiful month, although most seasonal camps will close early in the month.
December, January, February, and March:
These are the wettest months, although rain for the whole day is rare. Sunshine and big downpours are more the norms. Temperatures are around 28 degrees C in the day, dropping to around 18 at night.
April:
April sees the rains dying away to sporadic showers. It is a beautiful month with lush greenery and clear air, although seasonal game viewing tracks are largely still impassable.
PROS (Wet Season)
- Early rains (November and early December) can be stunning visually. There is a green flush of grass, the sky is washed clear of smoke and haze. Game viewing can still be great and many tracks are roads are still passable.
- March and April can also be visually stunning but the grass will be high and many places will be inaccessible.
- Camps will be quieter.
- Camps will be cheaper.
- Seasonally migrant birds will be here.
CONS (Wet Season)
- Many camps close down for the duration of the rains.
- Most of the park (outside of all-weather roads) is completely inaccessible.
- Game viewing can be almost impossible due to the length of the grass.
- Insect life can get “interesting”.
- Activities may be curtailed.
May is the start of the dry season and rain is now rare. However, many seasonal camps are still closed and seasonal tracks and roads are still impassable.
June & July are the true starts of the safari season. The bush is largely dry now, rains are gone and most areas are open to vehicle traffic. There will still be some areas in Busanga and Nanzhila where the going can be tricky! Temperatures in the daytime are a perfectly average 25 degrees, but nights get cold. 6 degrees is normal and in the open plains expect that to drop to 0 or even below.
August & September sees the bush very dry and starting to feel arid. Great for wildlife sightings around permanent water, but smoke from fires and general haze, and a parched landscape is the trade-off. Daytime temperatures hover around 31 degrees, dropping to 13 at night.
October is often peak safari month for many, but temperatures range from a mean of 33 degrees to 38 and sometimes even beyond. Again, wildlife viewing may well be the easiest the whole year, but dull skies and haze can be the downside. The first rains will occur towards the end of the month.
PROS (Dry Season)
- The time of the best game viewing, once the grass is reduced, and water is confined to permanent or semi-permanent sources.
- All camps are accessible, and all game viewing tracks and roads generally are too. However, when in Busanga and Nanzhila seek local advice even well into the dry season.
- The rivers are at their best as they descend and show their true beauty – think rocks, islands, and banks.
- Weather is generally known – activities won’t be curtailed by rains.
CONS (Dry Season)
- The late dry season can be very hot. Not as stifling as the Zambezi or Luangwa valleys, but still hot.
- June and July can be cold. Very cold. Many people get caught out and underestimate how bitter it can be on an open vehicle or boat in the early morning.
- The late dry season is not the most beautiful time. The land can be very parched (and at times burned by late-season fires). Visibility (due to smoke and haze trapped in an inversion that can last for weeks on end) is not ideal with the sky a dull grey/brown and no clouds.
- Prices will be at their highest. Most camps have dry/wet season rates.