When to Go
When to Visit Africa's Waterfalls
The best time to visit Africa's waterfalls depends on the water, not the calendar. This month-by-month guide shows high, moderate and low water at every fall in our atlas.
Water levels, month by month
| Waterfall | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Victoria FallsZambia & Zimbabwe | Moderate | Moderate | High | High | High | High | Moderate | Moderate | Low | Low | Low | Low |
| Murchison FallsUganda | High | High | High | High | High | High | High | High | High | High | High | High |
| Boyoma FallsDR Congo | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate | High | High | High | High |
| Tugela FallsSouth Africa | High | High | High | Moderate | Low | Low | Low | Low | Low | Moderate | High | High |
| Blue Nile FallsEthiopia | Low | Low | Low | Low | Low | Moderate | High | High | High | High | Moderate | Low |
| Sipi FallsUganda | Low | Low | Moderate | High | High | Moderate | Moderate | High | High | High | Moderate | Low |
| Kalambo FallsZambia & Tanzania | Moderate | High | High | High | Moderate | Moderate | Low | Low | Low | Low | Low | Moderate |
| Epupa FallsNamibia & Angola | Moderate | High | High | High | High | Moderate | Low | Low | Low | Low | Low | Moderate |
| Kalandula FallsAngola | High | High | High | High | Moderate | Low | Low | Low | Low | Low | Moderate | Moderate |
| Maletsunyane FallsLesotho | High | High | High | Moderate | Low | Low | Low | Low | Low | Moderate | High | High |
| Ouzoud FallsMorocco | Moderate | High | High | High | Moderate | Moderate | Low | Low | Low | Low | Moderate | Moderate |
| Mutarazi FallsZimbabwe | High | High | High | Moderate | Low | Low | Low | Low | Low | Low | Moderate | High |
| Augrabies FallsSouth Africa | High | High | High | Moderate | Low | Low | Low | Low | Low | Low | Moderate | Moderate |
| Lumangwe FallsZambia | Moderate | High | High | High | Moderate | Moderate | Low | Low | Low | Low | Low | Moderate |
| Ngonye FallsZambia | Moderate | High | High | High | High | Moderate | Moderate | Low | Low | Low | Low | Low |
| Thomson's FallsKenya | Low | Low | Moderate | High | High | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate | High | Moderate |
| Wli FallsGhana | Low | Low | Low | Moderate | High | High | High | High | High | High | Moderate | Low |
| Lobé FallsCameroon | Low | Low | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate | High | High | High | High | Moderate | Low |
| Karera FallsBurundi | High | High | High | High | Moderate | Low | Low | Low | Low | Moderate | High | High |
| Kisiizi FallsUganda | Moderate | Moderate | High | High | High | Moderate | Low | Low | Moderate | High | High | Moderate |
| Materuni FallsTanzania | Moderate | Moderate | High | High | High | Moderate | Moderate | Low | Low | Low | Moderate | Moderate |
| Rusumo FallsRwanda & Tanzania | Moderate | Moderate | High | High | High | Moderate | Low | Low | Low | Moderate | High | High |
| Howick FallsSouth Africa | High | High | High | Moderate | Low | Low | Low | Low | Low | Moderate | Moderate | High |
Levels are typical, not guaranteed: rainfall varies from year to year, and dams upstream affect Blue Nile Falls and others.
Through the year
January–February
Serengeti calving season
Wildebeest give birth on the southern plains; pair with Materuni Falls.
Tugela & Maletsunyane in flood
Summer storms feed the Drakensberg and Lesotho falls.
March–May
Victoria Falls at full flood
The spray is at its highest; expect to be soaked on the rainforest path.
Ouzoud and Epupa at their fullest
Spring in the Middle Atlas; high water on the Kunene.
June–August
The sweet spot at Victoria Falls
Strong water, clearer views and the start of the dry-season safari.
Moonbows
Lunar rainbows on clear full-moon nights while the water is high.
September–December
Devil's Pool and rafting
Low water opens the lip of the falls and the big Batoka rapids.
Blue Nile Falls after the rains
Ethiopia's falls are fullest from August to November.
Kasanka bats
Millions of fruit bats gather in northern Zambia.
Choosing your month
When to visit Africa’s waterfalls depends on your priorities. If the falls are the reason for your trip, go at high water and accept some rain. If the safari matters more, aim for the dry season and see the falls at moderate flow. Read Why water levels matter more than dates, or ask a specialist.
Enquire for more information
Plan your waterfall safari with a specialist
Tell us which falls you would love to see and when you can travel. We will reply with ideas, the best dates for the water and a quote for your trip.
- Tailor-made itineraries
- Timed for the water
- 23 waterfalls, 17 countries
- Honest seasonal advice
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