Zimbabwe & Zambia, Africa

Victoria Falls in January

The river is rising and the falls fill back out. Devil's Pool usually closes around now as water climbs. Green, quiet, and cheaper.

TradeoffsHot and humid, highs near 84F (29C), afternoon storms

Victoria Falls and the Zambezi gorge — Victoria FallsPhoto: Diego Delso, CC BY-SA 4.0

The straight answer

January is a month of real tradeoffs in Victoria Falls. The river is rising and the falls fill back out. Devil's Pool usually closes around now as water climbs. Green, quiet, and cheaper.

Weather: Hot and humid, highs near 84F (29C), afternoon storms
Crowds: 2 of 5
Prices: 2 of 5

What January is like in Victoria Falls

January is hot and humid, with highs near 84F (29C) and afternoon thunderstorms most days. The rains are filling the Zambezi again, so the falls are rising and spreading back across the cliff after the low-water months. The rainforest is green, lodges are quiet and rates are lower. Devil's Pool usually closes around now as the water climbs, and in some years it is already shut.

January suits budget travelers and anyone who wants to see the falls coming back to life without the crowds. It is not ideal for Devil's Pool or big-rapid rafting, and the weather is sticky. For the best all-round visit, aim for June to August. If January is your window, mornings are usually the clearest time for views.

Make the most of January

What is especially good about Victoria Falls this month.

The falls fill back out

After the dry months, water spreads back across the full width of the cliff. Each week the curtain looks bigger.

A last chance at Devil's Pool

In some years Devil's Pool still runs into early January, but it closes as the river rises. Check with the Livingstone Island operator before planning around it.

Green, quiet rainforest

The rainforest walk on the Zimbabwe side is lush and uncrowded, and the light after a storm is lovely.

What to pack for January

A light rain jacket for afternoon storms
Breathable, quick-dry clothes
Insect repellent and long sleeves for evenings
Malaria tablets as advised by a travel clinic

Our timing tip

Walk the Zimbabwe-side rainforest trail right at opening, before the heat builds and the afternoon storms roll in.

Book Victoria Falls for January.

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Hotels. Expedia
Hotels in Victoria Falls
Opens a hotel search for Victoria Falls in January, dates filled in. Book early for the best months: the good rooms go first.
Hotels for January
Vacation rentals. Vrbo
Vacation rentals in Victoria Falls
Whole homes, condos and villas. Usually the better deal for families and groups, with a kitchen and room to spread out.
Rentals on Vrbo
Tours and tickets. Expedia
Tours and tickets in Victoria Falls
Timed-entry tickets, day trips and guided tours in Victoria Falls for January. Popular slots sell out in the best months.
Tours and tickets

What's on in January

Devil's Pool season

Roughly mid August into January, depending on water levels

The famous edge-of-the-falls swim is only possible when the river is low enough. Opening and closing dates move each year with the flow.

Things to do in Victoria Falls

Full guide

The Zimbabwe-side rainforest walk

Some 16 viewpoints along the gorge facing the main falls. Go early for soft light and fewer groups; at peak flow, a rain jacket or rented poncho is not optional.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

Devil's Pool on Livingstone Island

A natural rock pool on the edge of the falls, reached by guided tour from the Zambian side. Usually open roughly mid August to January, depending on water levels; book ahead, as numbers are limited.

Tickets and tours →

Zambezi white-water rafting

Best in low water, roughly August to December, when the full run through the Batoka Gorge is open. At high water, rafting is usually suspended or limited to shorter sections.

Tickets and tours →

Flight of Angels

A helicopter or microlight flight over the falls. The single best way to see them at peak flow, when spray hides the view from the ground.

Tickets and tours →

Sunset cruise on the upper Zambezi

Hippos, elephants on the banks, and a sundowner above the falls. A relaxed evening that works in any season.

Tickets and tours →

Chobe National Park day trip

Cross into Botswana for a morning game drive and afternoon boat cruise among elephants and hippos. Best from roughly June to October when the herds come to the river.

Tickets and tours →

Beat the crowds

Enter the Zimbabwe-side park at opening time; tour groups arrive midmorning, and early light on the falls is the best of the day.
Book Devil's Pool, rafting, and helicopter flights before you arrive in July and August; places are limited and the most popular time slots sell out.
Stay in Victoria Falls town (Zimbabwe) or Livingstone (Zambia) based on what you want most: Zimbabwe for the main views, Zambia for Devil's Pool and the lip of the falls. Crossing the border for a day is easy.
Consider June or late May: strong flow, dry weather, and fewer visitors than the July peak.

Know before you go

Devil's Pool is closed when the river is high, typically from around January to mid August. Angel's Pool, a nearby alternative, sometimes operates in shoulder water levels.
Rafting is suspended or shortened at high water, roughly March through June or July, depending on the year.
In the low-water months of October and November, much of the Zambian side can be dry rock. The Zimbabwe side, facing the main falls, keeps flowing year-round.
Border crossings between Zimbabwe and Zambia run daily with set operating hours. Check current visa rules for both countries; a combined KAZA visa has been available for some nationalities.

Victoria Falls in January, quick answers

Is January a good time to visit Victoria Falls?

January is a month of real tradeoffs in Victoria Falls. The river is rising and the falls fill back out. Devil's Pool usually closes around now as water climbs. Green, quiet, and cheaper.

What is the weather like in Victoria Falls in January?

Hot and humid, highs near 84F (29C), afternoon storms.

Is Victoria Falls crowded in January?

January is one of the quieter months in Victoria Falls; most sights can be done without long waits.

What is happening in Victoria Falls in January?

Devil's Pool season (roughly mid august into january, depending on water levels).