October is one of the most interesting – but also one of the hottest – months to visit Victoria Falls. The dry season is approaching its end, temperatures can become extreme and the Zambezi River is close to its annual low.
That means October offers a very different Victoria Falls experience from the spectacular high-water months earlier in the year. The reduced flow produces less spray and clearer views of the gorge, while parts of the waterfall on the Zambian side can become very low or even dry.
For wildlife enthusiasts, however, October is an excellent time to visit. With natural water sources drying up, animals increasingly concentrate around the Zambezi and other permanent water sources. If you are planning a Victoria Falls trip in October 2026, here's what you can expect.
Weather and water levels
October is generally the hottest month of the year around Victoria Falls. Daytime temperatures commonly reach around 34°C, and temperatures above 40°C are possible during particularly hot periods. The combination of heat, strong sunshine and very dry vegetation can make the middle of the day uncomfortable for sightseeing.
Rain is still generally limited at the beginning of October, although the region is approaching the start of the summer rainy season. The first thunderstorms can develop later in the month, and conditions can change quickly as the season transitions from dry winter to summer.
The Zambezi is a different story from the weather. October is normally close to the lowest-flow period at Victoria Falls. The river has been declining steadily through the dry season, and the latest available Zambezi River Authority figures show the flow at the Victoria Falls station at 438 m³/s on 07 September 2026, down from 504 m³/s on 25 August 2026.
This means October visitors should not expect the enormous curtain of spray associated with the March-to-May flood season.
Zimbabwe or Zambia?
The difference between the two sides becomes particularly important in October.
Zimbabwe generally offers the better waterfall experience at very low water levels. A large section of the main waterfall remains visible from the viewpoints in Victoria Falls town, while the lower spray makes it much easier to see the individual cataracts and photograph the gorge.
On the Zambian side, the low water becomes much more obvious. Sections of the Falls can be reduced to narrow streams or exposed rock as the dry season reaches its peak. Zambia Tourism notes that parts of the Falls begin drying from around October, with the lowest flows normally occurring later in the year.
This is not necessarily a reason to avoid Zambia. Quite the opposite: low water exposes rock formations and sections of the basalt gorge that are hidden beneath the spray during the high-water season.
For travellers visiting specifically to see Victoria Falls at its most powerful, October is therefore not the ideal month. For travellers interested in clear views, photography, gorge scenery, adventure activities and wildlife, it can be very rewarding.
The 2026/27 regional seasonal outlook also points towards a generally drier-than-normal start to the rainy season across much of southern Africa, although seasonal forecasts cannot predict exactly when the first rains will reach Victoria Falls.
Activities and wildlife
October's low water and hot weather change the choice of activities, but there is still plenty to do around Victoria Falls.
Visit the Falls early
The waterfall viewpoints remain the obvious starting point.
Try to visit early in the morning, when temperatures are lower and the light is generally better for photography. The reduced spray can make October particularly good for seeing the shape of the gorge and individual sections of the Falls.
Don't assume that a visit to one side replaces the other. The Zimbabwean and Zambian viewpoints offer very different perspectives, and October makes those differences particularly noticeable.
Devil's Pool and Livingstone Island
Low water is also the season for some of Victoria Falls' most famous experiences on the Zambian side.
Devil's Pool is a natural rock pool at the edge of Victoria Falls that can only be accessed when river conditions are suitable. October is normally within the low-water window in which the experience operates, but opening dates and daily access depend on actual river conditions rather than simply the calendar.
If swimming at Devil's Pool is one of the main reasons for your trip, check the current operating conditions before booking your itinerary. Never attempt to reach the pool independently.
Scenic flights
October's lower spray and generally good visibility can make helicopter and microlight flights particularly rewarding.
From above, you get a much better impression of how dramatically the Falls change through the seasons. The exposed rock, reduced water flow and enormous Zambezi gorge create a very different landscape from the mist-covered waterfall seen during the flood season.
Zambezi activities
The lower-water period is also an important season for adventure activities on the Zambezi.
Depending on current river conditions, activities can include:
- white-water rafting
- canoeing
- river cruises
- gorge activities and ziplining
- bungee jumping
- scenic flights
- sunset cruises
White-water rafting conditions are particularly linked to river levels and operator safety assessments, so availability should always be confirmed before travelling.
Wildlife viewing
October is arguably more interesting for wildlife than for the waterfall itself.
After months without substantial rainfall, vegetation is dry and many natural water sources have disappeared or become unreliable. Animals therefore become increasingly concentrated around permanent water.
Elephants are particularly conspicuous around the Zambezi, while hippos and crocodiles remain associated with the river. Depending on where you go, sightings can also include buffalo, giraffe, zebra and a range of antelope.
The wider Victoria Falls region is an excellent base for combining a waterfall visit with a safari. Zimbabwe's Hwange National Park is within reach of Victoria Falls town, while Zambia's Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park provides a smaller wildlife experience close to Livingstone.
A Zambezi sunset cruise can also be surprisingly productive in October. As the surrounding landscape becomes increasingly dry, the river becomes one of the most important sources of water for wildlife.
Travel tips
October requires a slightly different approach from the cooler months.
Plan around the heat. Try to schedule walking tours, waterfall visits and other strenuous activities for early morning. The middle of the afternoon can be extremely hot, particularly during heatwaves.
Carry water. Don't underestimate how quickly you can become dehydrated when walking around the Falls in temperatures approaching or exceeding 35°C.
Use sun protection. A hat, sunscreen, sunglasses and lightweight clothing are essential. The combination of intense sunshine and dry heat can be surprisingly tiring.
Expect very different waterfall conditions. If seeing a huge volume of falling water is your priority, consider travelling earlier in the year. October is about visibility, exposed gorge scenery and low-water experiences rather than maximum flow.
Choose your side carefully. For the classic waterfall experience in October, the Zimbabwean side generally has the advantage because more of the main Falls remain flowing. The Zambian side becomes increasingly interesting for its exposed rocks and low-water activities.
Check Devil's Pool before you travel. Although October is normally within the low-water season suitable for Devil's Pool, access depends on actual river conditions and operator decisions.
Consider a safari extension. October is one of the better months to combine Victoria Falls with wildlife viewing because the dry conditions concentrate animals around remaining water sources.
Pack for both heat and changing weather. Lightweight summer clothing is appropriate for most of the month, but a light rain jacket can still be useful if early summer thunderstorms begin. Comfortable walking shoes are essential around the Falls.
Think about malaria protection. Victoria Falls town and Livingstone are malaria-risk areas. October also marks the transition towards warmer and wetter conditions, so mosquito precautions become increasingly relevant. Travellers should obtain individual travel-health advice before departure rather than relying solely on seasonal assumptions.
Bottom line
October is not the best month if your dream is to see Victoria Falls at maximum flow. The Zambezi is approaching its annual low, the Zambian side can have very little water and the spray that makes the Falls so dramatic earlier in the year is greatly reduced.
But that doesn't make October a bad time to visit.
Quite the opposite: clearer views, exposed gorge scenery, Devil's Pool, excellent wildlife viewing and a wide range of adventure activities make October an interesting time for travellers who want more than just the waterfall.
The biggest downside is the heat. If you can handle temperatures that can climb well above 30°C, October can be an excellent month to combine Devil's Pool with a safari in Zimbabwe or Zambia.
For the best all-round October experience, consider spending time on both sides of the Falls: use Zimbabwe for the broader waterfall views, and Zambia for the low-water scenery and seasonal activities.
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