Zimbabwe in August

August weather, activities, events & insider tips

August Weather in Zimbabwe

26°C (79°F) High Temp

8°C (46°F) Low Temp

2mm (0.08 inches) Rainfall

45% Humidity

Is August Right for You?

Advantages

Prime wildlife viewing season - animals congregate around water sources, making game drives 60-70% more successful than rainy months
Bone-dry conditions mean excellent road access to remote parks like Mana Pools and Gonarezhou that become impassable during rains
Crystal clear skies with minimal dust - perfect for Victoria Falls photography and stargazing with visibility up to 50km (31 miles)
Cool morning temperatures 8-12°C (46-54°F) ideal for multi-hour walking safaris and birding before afternoon heat peaks

Considerations

Peak tourist season means accommodation rates increase 40-60% compared to shoulder months and require booking 3-4 months ahead
Afternoon temperatures reach 26-28°C (79-82°F) with intense UV index of 9, limiting comfortable outdoor activities to early morning and late afternoon
Vegetation is sparse and brown after dry season, making landscapes less photogenic than the lush green season

Best Activities in August

Hwange National Park Safari Drives

August is peak game viewing season when 40,000+ elephants and other wildlife concentrate around permanent water holes. Dry conditions mean animals are predictable and visible, with success rates for Big Five sightings reaching 70%. Early morning drives 6-10am capitalize on cool temperatures and active wildlife before midday heat.

Booking Tip: Book full-day safari packages 6-8 weeks ahead through licensed operators. Expect costs of $180-250 USD per person for full-day game drives including park fees. Look for operators with open-sided vehicles for better photography and certified professional guides. Morning drives are essential - afternoon drives less productive due to heat.

Victoria Falls Adventure Activities

August offers perfect conditions for Falls activities with minimum mist and maximum visibility of the 108m (354ft) drop. Water levels are ideal for white-water rafting with Grade 4-5 rapids at their most challenging. Clear skies provide excellent conditions for helicopter flights and bungee jumping with visibility extending 50km (31 miles).

Booking Tip: Multi-activity packages typically cost $150-300 USD per person. Book helicopter flights for early morning 7-9am when air is calmest. White-water rafting operates year-round but August offers most thrilling rapids. Devil's Pool swimming requires booking 2-3 weeks ahead and costs $90-120 USD including lunch.

Mana Pools Canoe Safaris

August is the only reliable month for accessing Mana Pools as roads become impassable during rains. Zambezi River levels are perfect for multi-day canoe expeditions with excellent wildlife viewing along riverbanks. Cool mornings and low water levels create ideal conditions for encountering elephants, hippos, and crocodiles at close range.

Booking Tip: Multi-day canoe trips cost $200-400 USD per person per day including camping equipment and meals. Book 3-4 months ahead as August fills up quickly. Look for operators offering walking safari combinations. Requires moderate fitness level for 4-6 hours daily paddling. Solo canoes available for experienced paddlers.

Great Zimbabwe Ruins Cultural Tours

August's clear, dry weather provides perfect conditions for exploring the 11th-century stone ruins without rain interference. Cool morning temperatures make the 2km (1.2 mile) walking circuit comfortable. Excellent visibility allows for impressive photography of the 11m (36ft) high Great Enclosure walls against clear blue skies.

Booking Tip: Entry fees are $15 USD for international visitors. Guided tours cost additional $10-20 USD and highly recommended for historical context. Visit early morning 8-10am before temperatures rise. Allow 2-3 hours for complete site exploration. Combine with nearby Mutirikwi Recreational Park for wildlife viewing.

Matobo Hills Rock Art and Balancing Rocks

August's dry conditions provide excellent access to remote rock art sites via 4WD tracks that become muddy during rains. Clear atmospheric conditions offer spectacular photography opportunities of the unique granite formations and 2,000-year-old San paintings. Cool mornings perfect for hiking to World's View and Rhodes' grave.

Booking Tip: Day tours typically cost $80-150 USD per person including transport and guide. Rock art sites require certified guides to prevent damage - budget additional $20-30 USD. Best visited early morning when light highlights rock formations. Combine with rhino tracking at additional cost of $25 USD per person.

Eastern Highlands Mountain Hiking

August offers perfect hiking conditions in Nyanga and Chimanimani mountains with cool temperatures, no rainfall, and crystal-clear mountain air. Temperatures drop to 5°C (41°F) at night at 2,600m (8,530ft) elevation, requiring proper gear but providing comfortable daytime hiking in the 15-20°C (59-68°F) range.

Booking Tip: Multi-day hiking packages cost $100-200 USD per person per day including mountain huts and meals. Book mountain hut accommodation 4-6 weeks ahead through Zimbabwe Parks authority. Trout fishing licenses available for $10 USD daily. Essential to have proper hiking boots and warm clothing for altitude changes.

August Events & Festivals

Late August

Zimbabwe International Film Festival

Annual celebration of African cinema held in Harare featuring local and international films, workshops, and cultural performances. Provides insight into contemporary Zimbabwean culture and arts scene beyond traditional tourist activities.

Essential Tips

What to Pack

Layered clothing system - mornings start at 8°C (46°F) but afternoons reach 26°C (79°F), requiring everything from fleece to t-shirts

SPF 50+ sunscreen and wide-brimmed hat - UV index reaches 9 at 1,500m (4,920ft) altitude with no cloud cover

Warm sleeping bag rated to 5°C (41°F) for camping and mountain areas where temperatures drop significantly at night

Dust masks or bandanas - dry season creates dusty conditions on game drives and rural roads

Neutral-colored safari clothing in khaki, brown, or olive - bright colors spook wildlife and black attracts tsetse flies

Sturdy walking boots with ankle support for rocky terrain in national parks and mountain areas

Compact binoculars 8x32 or 10x42 - essential for wildlife viewing when animals maintain distance during dry season

Power bank and multiple charging cables - rural lodges have limited electricity, often solar-powered with evening-only charging

Water purification tablets - tap water quality varies outside main cities, and bottled water costs $2-3 USD in remote areas

Long pants and long-sleeved shirts for evening game drives when temperatures drop and mosquitoes become active after sunset

Insider Knowledge

Book accommodation by April for August travel - peak season fills up completely and many lodges charge 50% deposits. Last-minute bookings often mean staying in Bulawayo and driving 1.5 hours to Hwange daily.

Carry small denomination US dollar bills - Zimbabwe uses USD but rarely has change for large bills. $1, $5, and $10 notes essential for park fees, tips, and local purchases.

Game drive timing is crucial in August heat - 6am starts are non-negotiable for serious wildlife viewing. Most animals rest in shade 11am-3pm when temperatures peak at 26-28°C (79-82°F).

Victoria Falls water levels in August show 60% less flow than peak season, revealing rock formations usually hidden but reducing the famous 'smoke that thunders' mist effect for photography.

Avoid These Mistakes

Underestimating temperature swings - tourists pack only for warm weather then freeze during 8°C (46°F) morning game drives and mountain areas

Visiting Victoria Falls expecting peak water flow - August is minimum flow season with less dramatic spray, disappointing visitors expecting wet season power

Assuming all roads are accessible year-round - many remote lodges and parks that advertise online are actually unreachable during August without proper 4WD vehicles