July is the middle of Zambia’s winter season, characterized by cool and dry conditions. It's one of the busiest months, but the best time for a Zambia safari as the wildlife viewing is spectacular.
Zambia's climate is tropical, modified by altitude, resulting in pleasant temperatures for much of the year. The country experiences two main seasons: the rainy season (November to April), corresponding to summer, and the dry season (May to October/November), corresponding to winter. The dry season is subdivided into the cool dry season (May to August) and the hot dry season (September to October/November).
Köppen-Geiger climate classification map of Zambia
Temperature in July
Average highs remain around 72°F (22°C) and lows tend to hover around 50°F (10°C). The lowest daily average low temperature is 46°F (7.8°C) on July 8.
During the dry winter months of April through early September, the days are warm, but the nights and early mornings can become very cold (sometimes even near or below freezing)! In June, July and August nights and early mornings will be chilly, possibly near freezing.
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Here's a look at average temperatures in Lusaka during July:
- Average High: 72°F (22°C)
- Average Low: 50°F (10°C)
Location map of Zambia
Rainfall and Cloud Cover
June is also the beginning of the dry season so afternoon thunderstorms are less common. The distinction between rainy and dry seasons is marked with no rain at all falling in June, July and August.
The month of July in Lusaka experiences essentially constant cloud cover, with the percentage of time that the sky is overcast or mostly cloudy remaining about 8% throughout the month. The clearest day of the month is July 9, with clear, mostly clear, or partly cloudy conditions 93% of the time.
Daylight Hours
Over the course of July in Lusaka, the length of the day is essentially constant. The shortest day of the month is July 1, with 11 hours, 14 minutes of daylight and the longest day is July 31, with 11 hours, 26 minutes of daylight.
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The latest sunrise of the month in Lusaka is 6:34 AM on July 9 and the earliest sunrise is 4 minutes earlier at 6:30 AM on July 31. The earliest sunset is 5:47 PM on July 1 and the latest sunset is 9 minutes later at 5:56 PM on July 31.
Victoria Falls
Humidity and Wind
The chance that a given day will be muggy in Lusaka is essentially constant during July, remaining around 0% throughout.
The average hourly wind speed in Lusaka is gradually increasing during July, increasing from 9.5 miles per hour to 10.1 miles per hour over the course of the month. The hourly average wind direction in Lusaka throughout July is predominantly from the east, with a peak proportion of 94% on July 17.
What to Wear in July
Layering is recommended, with a fleece, windproof jacket, warm hat, gloves and a scarf for early morning activities, and lightweight clothing by the middle of the day. Zip-off pants are a versatile option.
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You can expect days to be absolutely beautiful, temperate and sunny, but nights and early mornings will be chilly, possibly near freezing, so we recommend you bring warm layers you can peel off as it warms up through the day. A lightweight down jacket or fleece pullover is ideal. Gloves, a hat, a scarf and warm long pants are also essential at this time of year for early-morning wildlife drives.
Activities in July
July is one of the busiest months, but the best time for a Zambia safari as the wildlife viewing is spectacular. The vegetation is no longer lush from all the rainfall in previous months, making the wildlife far easier to spot.
The best time to go on a walking safari in Zambia is during the dry season, from May to October. Having clear visibility through the bush and dry conditions underfoot makes for a truly unforgettable experience as you cover plenty of ground, gaining a privileged, intimate connection to the land and wildlife.
Best of Zambia Safari | Africa Adventure Consultants
Here are some activities to consider:
- Game Drives: Explore South Luangwa, Lower Zambezi, and Kafue national parks.
- Walking Safaris: Enjoy the clear visibility and dry conditions.
- Birdwatching: Spot various bird species during the dry season.
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