A land of three seasons

Although Zambia lies within the tropics, the climate is tempered by its high altitude.  Most of the land is part of an undulating plateau which runs like a backbone through the African continent.

With typical altitudes of 1,000 to 1,600 metres, the resulting cooler temperatures make for a comfortable climate.

In the valleys of the Zambezi, Kafue, Luangwa and Luapula, which lie below 500 metres, hotter weather can be more oppressive.  Here, temperatures in October can reach more than 45°C in the shade. Zambia’s seasons fall broadly into three periods:

Rainy season: December – April

During these months it is hot and wet, with temperatures in Lusaka usually ranging between 17°C to 26°C.  Most of Zambia’s annual rainfall occurs during this season.  However, sunshine is still frequent (Lusaka averages six hours per day in January) with torrential downpours followed by bright intervals.

As tourists mainly avoid the wet season, the country’s safari camps are quiet at this time and rates much lower.

Cool Dry Season: May – August

During the middle months of the year, temperatures normally range from 9/10°C to 25°C in Lusaka.  July is usually the coldest month, with clear skies at night meaning that even the valleys see the occasional ground frost.

Hot Dry Season: September – November

Just two months separate the coldest month (July), from the hottest (October) as temperatures rise rapidly and range from 18°C to the low 30s°C in the capital.  High humidity can make this one of the least comfortable times of the year, though the first rains clear the air and wash away the dust.

Zambia’s soils are generally poor, although the favourable climate allows for a range of crops to be grown.  The most common crops include: maize, tobacco, cotton, rice and wheat. Vegetables, fruits, tea and coffee are also cultivated, as is sugar cane for both local and commercial use.  Efforts are being made to increase agricultural exports and introduce market-based techniques.  However, much of Zambia’s farming remains subsistence-style, relying on seasonal rains.

Agriculture reliant on rain

Zambian communities have been affected by unpredictable weather patterns over the last decade.  The Zambezi used to flood the plains in late March or early April, but the water flows of the river have become less regular in their pattern and more extreme.  Floods in 2007 and in 2009 caused devastation to crops along the Zambezi River basin.