November is usually the month of the lowest water at Victoria Falls, and also the month the rains return to Livingstone. That sounds contradictory, but the river's flood comes from rain hundreds of kilometres upstream and takes months to arrive. So in November you get storms in town and a falls at its thinnest. Devil's Pool and the full rafting run are open, game is still gathered at the river, and lodges start to drop their rates.
Water level and spray
Flow at the falls is typically at its annual minimum in November. As a reference, the Zambezi River Authority's reading in early November 2025 was about 220 cubic metres per second, against roughly 4,100 at the peak the following April.
On the Zambian side, most of the face from the Eastern Cataract to Livingstone Island is bare rock, with a few ribbons of water and pools on the lip. You can see the full height of the gorge wall and, from the right spot, the hidden pools that Devil's Pool and Angel's Pool sit in. On the Zimbabwean side, Devil's Cataract and Main Falls keep flowing, so the falls still look like a waterfall from there. If you only visit one side this month, make it Zimbabwe.
Storms upstream in November do not change the falls much. The rise usually begins in December.
Weather
Highs average about 33°C, lows about 20°C. Rainfall averages about 65 mm over roughly 10 days, but it varies: some Novembers are almost dry until the last week, others turn wet early. When the first storms come, they usually arrive in the afternoon with wind and lightning, drop the temperature sharply for an hour and then clear. Humidity rises through the month from about 40% to 60% or more. The first rain on dry ground brings out a strong, earthy smell, and within a week or two the bush starts to turn green.
What's open
- Devil's Pool. Open. Low water means the pool is at its most reliable. Tours still need booking. See Livingstone Island.
- Rafting. The full low-water run through rapids 1 to 21 or so. Rapids are technical and the water is warm.
- Lunar rainbow. Not a realistic prospect in November.
- Flights. Running. Storm clouds and haze can disrupt afternoon flights, so book a morning slot. From the air, the low water shows the zigzag gorges and the lip of the falls clearly.
- Tiger fishing, canoeing, cruises. Good, though afternoon storms can cut trips short.
Wildlife and birding
Until the rains have settled in, animals remain close to the river, and elephant sightings along the upper Zambezi are often still excellent in early November. Once the inland pans fill, herds start to disperse, so the first half of the month is better for game than the second. Many antelope, especially impala, give birth around the time the rains start.
Birding picks up quickly. Summer migrants arrive in numbers, including woodland kingfishers, European bee-eaters, paradise flycatchers and several cuckoos. Carmine bee-eater colonies are still active on the riverbanks.
Crowds and rates
November is shoulder season. Many lodges drop to mid-season rates, and some go to green-season rates later in the month. Crowds thin out noticeably after October, so Devil's Pool and rafting are easier to book. This is a good month if you want the low-water activities without high-season prices, though not the cheapest month of the year.
What to pack
- Light, breathable clothes for the heat and a light rain jacket for the storms.
- A wide-brimmed hat, sunscreen and sunglasses.
- Swimwear and water shoes for Devil's Pool.
- Electrolyte sachets for rafting and walking.
- Plenty of insect repellent. Mosquitoes increase as the rains begin, so talk to a travel clinic about malaria prevention; our health and malaria guide has more.
Go if, skip if
Go if you want Devil's Pool, rafting, good birding and decent game at lower rates, and you're happy to see the falls in their stripped-back form. November also suits people who enjoy watching a dry landscape turn green.
Skip if you want a full falls from the Zambian side. Skip if the combination of heat and building humidity in the days before a storm wears you down.
Making it work
Plan the Zimbabwean side for the view, Devil's Pool for the experience, and the upper river for the wildlife. On a stormy afternoon you will want somewhere comfortable to wait it out. If you have questions about what is running in a given week, small lodges on the river can often tell you; Zambezi Dusk's contact page is one place to ask.
For the year as a whole, see Victoria Falls weather by month and the best time to visit Victoria Falls. The months either side are October and December.
