Good Time to Visit

Weather

Although Zambia lies in the tropics, its high altitude ensures that the weather is seldom unpleasantly hot, except in the valleys. There are three seasons:

• October and November: the hot, dry season
• December to April: the rainy season (even hotter)
• May to September: the cool, dry winter season

Visitors are advised to bring lightweight or tropical clothing with rainwear. More information on Zambian weather may be found in Climate in Zambia.

Festivals

There are many festivals and ceremonies throughout the year. The Kwanga festival in January is a traditional event full of feasting, dancing and drinking, which lasts for two or three days. Kuomboka takes place in March, where the Lozi chief and his family are paddled from Leaului to his home during the rainy season. The activities include music, dancing, canoeing and costumes. There is also a National Fishing Competition held at Lake Tanganyika and Lusaka's Music Festival, held in October, to keep visitors entertained.

Public Holidays

The following table shows the public holidays celebrated in Zambia: