Zimbabwe & Zambia, Africa

Victoria Falls in October

Low water. The Zambian side may be largely dry rock, which reveals the gorge's geology but disappoints first-timers. Rafting and Devil's Pool at their best.

Quiet valueVery hot, highs near 93F (34C) or more

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

The straight answer

October is a quiet, good-value month to visit Victoria Falls. Low water. The Zambian side may be largely dry rock, which reveals the gorge's geology but disappoints first-timers. Rafting and Devil's Pool at their best.

Weather: Very hot, highs near 93F (34C) or more
Crowds: 2 of 5
Prices: 3 of 5

What October is like in Victoria Falls

October is very hot, with highs near 93F (34C) or more. The river is low, and much of the Zambian side may be dry rock. That reveals the basalt gorge and its geology, but it can disappoint first-timers expecting a wall of water. The Zimbabwe side still flows. Rafting and Devil's Pool are at their best, crowds are thin and prices drop.

October suits adventure seekers and repeat visitors who want rafting, Devil's Pool and quiet lodges. First-timers hoping for the classic full falls should come in June to August instead. If you visit now, stay on the Zimbabwe side for the views and plan outdoor activities for early morning.

Make the most of October

What is especially good about Victoria Falls this month.

Rafting at its best

Low water means the full gorge run and the biggest rapids of the year.

Devil's Pool in top form

Low flow usually makes October one of the most reliable months for the edge-of-the-falls swim.

See the gorge itself

With less water, you can see the rock faces and zig-zag gorges that show where the falls used to be.

What to pack for October

Lightweight, loose clothing
A cooling towel or buff you can soak
Electrolyte packets and a large water bottle
Swimwear and water shoes

Our timing tip

View the falls from the Zimbabwe side, which faces the main falls and keeps water year-round, and save the Zambian side for Devil's Pool.

Book Victoria Falls for October.

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Hotels. Expedia
Hotels in Victoria Falls
Opens a hotel search for Victoria Falls in October, dates filled in. Book early for the best months: the good rooms go first.
Hotels for October
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 October. Popular slots sell out in the best months.
Tours and tickets

What's on in October

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

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.