What are the best months to see Vic Falls?
Aaron

Forget Vic Falls. Go hunting for a couple more days. Several friends have done the Vic Falls trip and wished they stayed the extra days hunting.

I totally disagree. Victoria Falls was awesome and well worth the visit. I was there in October and believe earlier is better.

Aaron,

I have been there in April and December.

Early year is better if you like plenty of water. When we were there in April, small sections of the walk were not accessible because of the mist, water, or whatever you would call it but the amount of water was amazing. May-June should be really good and a little cooler.



In two days you can see the Falls, have lunch at the Safari Lodge while viewing game, the Gorges Lodge is a spectacular sight, zip line, bungee jump, see the Vic Falls Hotel, do the helicopter tour, etc.

Hwange is nearby if you want a couple of days at a photo lodge. We stayed at Nehimba and it was great.

Both are worth going to if you are in Africa.

Went in July and the falls were great. Night were cold in Hwange but nice at Victoria Falls.

quote:

Originally posted by LittleJoe:
Forget Vic Falls. Go hunting for a couple more days. Several friends have done the Vic Falls trip and wished they stayed the extra days hunting.

Knowing Aaron's past I would guess he is going to be on a longer trip, so a day or two at Victoria Falls will not cut into his hunting too much.

I have been to the Falls about half a dozen times. I feel that it is one of the few "must see" tourist traps that is really worth seeing.

I can't wait to take my daughter when she is old enough.

Early season has so much flow thus creating spray that you can barely see the falls through (you will get wet). After mid September there is not a huge amount of water flowing. August would be about perfect but it is a nice small break any time.

I've been there in April and the amount of water was incredible. I highly recommend checking it out. The mist was quite thick as I got closer to the end of the path and it was like a downpour with blue skies when I was on the "walk at your own risk section". I did the helicopter tour as well and it was a great way to really see the true size of the falls.

It depends a lot on the rain season. when I was there in August we were able to see the falls clearly and there was still plenty of water.
I went during full moon at night and very early in the morning. Try to go in when they open the gates and you will have a few hours without crowds of tourists.
Vic falls is something you have to see once in your life.

quote:

Originally posted by ozhunter:
Early season has so much flow thus creating spray that you can barely see the falls through (you will get wet). After mid September there is not a huge amount of water flowing. August would be about perfect but it is a nice small break any time.

Exactly what I was going to say. We went in mid September in 2009 and it was just about perfect; however, there had been an unusually large amount of rain that year and flow was much higher than typical for September. If I had the flexibility to plan, I would go in July or August.

Aaron,

I also would recommend August. A couple of days at the Victoria Falls Hotel or on a lesser budget at Gorge's Lodge would really be nice. Add a couple of days in Hwange in a mobile camp and you'll really have something special as an add-on to your hunt or a stand alone adventure. There's lots to do. A guide can be had for $200- $250 per day for both the Falls and Hwange and is well worth it.

Mark

usually in july/august/september - reason is that there is much less water coming over, which reduces the mist. in the rainy seasons the mist gets so heavy you can't see the falls

I have been to the Falls twice--both times in September. Stayed on the Zam side the first time, and the Zim side on the second trip. The Vic Falls Safari Lodge is nice. Whitewater rafting the Zambezi is every bit as exciting as facing down an angry ele, and sometimes less controllable! If you have your wife or kids along, the Falls is a must see.
Cheers,
Tim

Definitely need to go. I'll have to hunt Zim first and I said years ago I wouldn't until Uncle Bob was gone. Who'd have thought ...

when i was there 8-9 years ago in early June the river was at full flood with so much water coming over you could barely see the falls for the mist. i got wet just doing the bungi jump. the gorge and lower river was closed to white water trips. i would suggest going a little later( late July onward). for sure i would spend a few days there. it is not 1 of the 7 natural wonders of the world for nothing!