May to July is the best time to see Victoria Falls and the natural phenomenon, the Lunar Rainbow.
As far as natural spectacles go, you’d be hard pressed to beat seeing Victoria Falls in full flood. One of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World, and the largest waterfall in the world based on height and width, Victoria Falls is situated on the Zambezi River at the border of Zambia and Zimbabwe. May to July are considered to be the optimum months to see the Falls and to get a glimpse of the magical Lunar Rainbow.
A lunar rainbow or moonbow occurs when light from the full moon is refracted through the spray of the Falls. During full flood the spray can rise as much as 450 metres into the air. However it is not simply a case of viewing the Falls during full flood. To maximise your chances of glimpsing a moonbow you need to be even more precise. The optimum time is during early evening, just after moon rise, on either the night before, the night of, or the night after a full moon.
The Victoria Falls Rainforest opens specially on these nights to allow visitors to walk the pathways hugging the Falls and to view the lunar rainbow. It’s a magical experience.
Full moon dates in the coming months are as follows:
April 14-16
May 13-15
June 12-14
July 11-13
Best months to visit the Falls? That’s a tricky one. It depends on what you want to do.
Victoria Falls is a year round destination. The main rainy season in this area stretches from November to March. Increased water means more spray which in turn means more rainbows and the chance to see a moonbow surely? That’s all true but be aware that in February and March when the volume of water and subsequent spray reaches a peak it creates a widespread mist sometimes to the extent that the base of the Falls disappears from view. So although it is impressive to see the Falls in full flood, and the Falls do roar loudly at this time, adding to the overall drama, the downside is that photography can be challenging and walking the pathways can be a very wet affair! You have been warned!
This is why May to July are widely considered to be the best months to see the Falls. During these months, water levels though still exceptionally high, do not create quite so much mist as to obscure the view.
In the dry season months between August and November the water flow reduces as you would expect and you can see more of the dramatic rock face. More pathways and trails can be accessed. Game viewing is also excellent along the Zambezi and surrounding areas at this time as the grass is short and wildlife collects at watering holes and along the river.
Where to stay
There are some really incredible lodges around the Falls, benefiting from spectacular locations along the Zambezi River, both on the Zambian side (Livingstone) and Zimbabwean side (Victoria Falls). We recommend a minimum stay of three nights to fully enjoy all that the area has to offer.
Some properties are within walking distance of the pathways surrounding the Falls, like the historic Victoria Falls Hotel or Ilala Lodge while others offer a regular shuttle bus service to the Falls, like the beautiful Victoria Falls Safari Lodge, in a commanding west-facing position on a plateau just four kilometres away. You’ll also find wonderful romantic hideaways like Tongabezi Lodge, upstream from the Falls, or Waterberry Lodge, great for families, with its beautiful cottages and a private safari house along the river.
An 11 night itinerary in Zimbabwe combining safari in Hwange National Park with time at Victoria Falls costs from £2,885 per person including international flights, taxes and transfers. To see a full sample itinerary click here.
Why not combine a safari in Kenya or South Africa with a stay at Victoria Falls? For further inspiration please see our website.
By Sara White