Zimbabwe & Zambia, Africa
Victoria Falls in November
The lowest flow of the year. Stay on the Zimbabwe side for views. Great for adrenaline activities and quieter lodges.
The straight answer
November is a quiet, good-value month to visit Victoria Falls. The lowest flow of the year. Stay on the Zimbabwe side for views. Great for adrenaline activities and quieter lodges.
- Weather
- Hot, highs near 91F (33C), first storms
- Crowds
- 2 of 5
- Prices
- 3 of 5
What November is like in Victoria Falls
November has the lowest flow of the year. It is hot, with highs near 91F (33C), and the first storms start to arrive. Parts of the Zambian side can be bare rock, while the Zimbabwe side still has water. Lodges are quieter and rates are lower. It is a strong month for adrenaline: rafting and Devil's Pool are both usually running.
November suits thrill seekers, budget travelers and anyone who has already seen the falls in full flow. First-time visitors who want the classic curtain of water should plan for June to August. If November is your month, stay on the Zimbabwe side for views and spend your energy on the river.
Make the most of November
What is especially good about Victoria Falls this month.
Quiet lodges, lower rates
Crowds are light and shoulder pricing makes it easier to book good lodges in Victoria Falls town or Livingstone.
Rafting and Devil's Pool together
Both are usually running, so you can pack the adrenaline list into a short stay.
First storms
Afternoon storms start to cool things down and clear the dusty air, with big skies over the gorge.
What to pack for November
- A light rain jacket for the first storms
- Swimwear and water shoes
- Sunscreen and a hat
- Insect repellent as the rains begin
Our timing tip
Plan activities for the morning, since November storms tend to build in the afternoon.
Book Victoria Falls for November.
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- Hotels for November
Hotels. Expedia
Hotels in Victoria FallsOpens a hotel search for Victoria Falls in November, dates filled in. Book early for the best months: the good rooms go first.
- Rentals on Vrbo
Vacation rentals. Vrbo
Vacation rentals in Victoria FallsWhole homes, condos and villas. Usually the better deal for families and groups, with a kitchen and room to spread out.
- Tours and tickets
Tours and tickets. Expedia
Tours and tickets in Victoria FallsTimed-entry tickets, day trips and guided tours in Victoria Falls for November. Popular slots sell out in the best months.
What's on in November
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.
Low-water rafting season
Roughly August through December
The full Zambezi gorge run opens, with big-volume rapids that rank among the world's best commercial white water.
Things to do in Victoria Falls
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 November, quick answers
Is November a good time to visit Victoria Falls?
November is a quiet, good-value month to visit Victoria Falls. The lowest flow of the year. Stay on the Zimbabwe side for views. Great for adrenaline activities and quieter lodges.
What is the weather like in Victoria Falls in November?
Hot, highs near 91F (33C), first storms.
Is Victoria Falls crowded in November?
November is one of the quieter months in Victoria Falls; most sights can be done without long waits.
What is happening in Victoria Falls in November?
Devil's Pool season (roughly mid august into january, depending on water levels); Low-water rafting season (roughly august through december).
Keep planning Victoria Falls.
The months either side, and the best one if this is not it.
Also at their best in November
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