Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe Weather in January

Average temperatures, rainfall, sunshine and the best places to visit in Zimbabwe in January.

Considering a trip to Zimbabwe this January and wondering about the expected weather conditions? Find all the crucial information you need right here, addressing your question:

What to Expect in Zimbabwe in January

January in Zimbabwe generally has temperatures that range from warm to very warm, with precipitation levels ranging from high to heavy.

Temperatures

Based on our climate data spanning from 1990-2020, the average maximum temperature is warm in Nyanga at 25°C (77°F) to very warm in Lower Zambezi National Park at 31°C (88°F). Nighttime temperatures generally drop to 22°C (72°F) in Lower Zambezi National Park and 17°C (63°F) in Nyanga.

For a closer look at conditions across Zimbabwe, refer to the map below.

Precipitation

In January, precipitation varies across different areas. From high rainfall in Bulawayo with an average of 139 mm (5.5 in) to heavy rainfall in Lower Zambezi National Park with 318 mm (13 in). Going by our weather data, it is the wettest month of the year in Harare.

Average sunshine

Many locations offer abundant sunshine during this month. For instance, Harare enjoys approximately 217 hours of sunlight, ideal for those seeking sunny weather.

Explore Zimbabwe by month

Best Places to Visit in Zimbabwe in January

Click on a destination dot for more details. Toggle the map to compare temperatures or precipitation across Zimbabwe.

perfect weather
pleasant
tolerable
unpleasant
poor

Perfect weather is subjective. On this map perfect weather has been defined with temperatures between 20°C (68°F) and 29°C (84°F) and not too much precipitation (less than 90 mm (3.5 in) a month).

Popular Destinations in Zimbabwe

What is the weather like in January for some of the most popular destinations in Zimbabwe?

Temperature range in Zimbabwe (January)

Precipitation variation in Zimbabwe (January)

Harare

In January Harare generally has high temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 27°C (81°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around 17°C (63°F) and heavy monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are unpleasant that month.

December
January
February
Max temperature
27°C (81°F)
27°C (81°F)
27°C (81°F)
Min temperature
17°C (63°F)
17°C (63°F)
17°C (63°F)
Monthly sun hours
198 hours
217 hours
190 hours
Monthly rainfall
193 mm (7.6 in)
216 mm (8.5 in)
162 mm (6.4 in)
Monthly rainy days
16 days
17 days
14 days
Weather conditions

Dete

In January Dete generally has very high temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 30°C (86°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around 20°C (68°F) and heavy monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are poor that month.

December
January
February
Max temperature
31°C (88°F)
30°C (86°F)
30°C (86°F)
Min temperature
20°C (68°F)
20°C (68°F)
20°C (68°F)
Monthly rainfall
189 mm (7.4 in)
215 mm (8.5 in)
175 mm (6.9 in)
Monthly rainy days
15 days
15 days
14 days
Weather conditions

Nyanga

In January Nyanga generally has high temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 25°C (77°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around 17°C (63°F) and heavy monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are poor that month.

December
January
February
Max temperature
26°C (79°F)
25°C (77°F)
25°C (77°F)
Min temperature
16°C (61°F)
17°C (63°F)
17°C (63°F)
Monthly rainfall
249 mm (9.8 in)
274 mm (11 in)
202 mm (8 in)
Monthly rainy days
18 days
18 days
17 days
Weather conditions

Bulawayo

In January Bulawayo generally has high temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 29°C (84°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around 18°C (64°F) and high monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are pleasant that month.

December
January
February
Max temperature
29°C (84°F)
29°C (84°F)
28°C (82°F)
Min temperature
18°C (64°F)
18°C (64°F)
17°C (63°F)
Monthly sun hours
224 hours
243 hours
211 hours
Monthly rainfall
151 mm (5.9 in)
139 mm (5.5 in)
126 mm (5 in)
Monthly rainy days
12 days
12 days
11 days
Weather conditions

Mutare

In January Mutare generally has high temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 28°C (82°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around 18°C (64°F) and heavy monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are unpleasant that month.

December
January
February
Max temperature
28°C (82°F)
28°C (82°F)
28°C (82°F)
Min temperature
18°C (64°F)
18°C (64°F)
18°C (64°F)
Monthly rainfall
205 mm (8.1 in)
203 mm (8 in)
168 mm (6.6 in)
Monthly rainy days
15 days
15 days
15 days
Weather conditions

Is your destination not in the list? Have a look at all destinations in Zimbabwe.

Popular cities in January

Day & night temperatures, rainfall and average weather in Zimbabwe in January.

City Weather Day temp Night temp Rainfall
Harare 27°C (81°F) 17°C (63°F) 216 mm (8.5 in)
Victoria Falls 30°C (86°F) 20°C (68°F) 203 mm (8 in)
Gokwe 29°C (84°F) 19°C (66°F) 254 mm (10 in)
Bulawayo 29°C (84°F) 18°C (64°F) 139 mm (5.5 in)
Lower Zambezi National Park 31°C (88°F) 22°C (72°F) 318 mm (13 in)
Nyanga 25°C (77°F) 17°C (63°F) 274 mm (11 in)

Zimbabwe weather in January: frequently asked questions

What is the weather like in Zimbabwe in January?

January in Zimbabwe brings unpleasant weather. In Harare, daytime temperatures are typically around 27°C (81°F) and nighttime lows hover near 17°C (63°F).

What is the average temperature in Zimbabwe in January?

Harare averages a daytime maximum of 27°C (81°F) in January, with overnight lows close to 17°C (63°F).

Does Zimbabwe get a lot of rain in January?

Yes. January brings heavy rainfall to Zimbabwe, with Harare averaging around 216 mm (8.5 in). Expect frequent showers and pack accordingly.

Is January a Good Time to Visit Zimbabwe?

In our view, January might not be the best time to travel to Zimbabwe with often unpleasant weather in Harare.

On average, the best time to visit Zimbabwe is in March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October and November with generally perfect weather in Harare. In contrast, January tends to have unpleasant weather conditions.

Interested in more climate information?

We have much more information about the climate in Zimbabwe.

Weather and climate has detailed information for every country in the world. Are you going to Zimbabwe? Get detailed historical weather averages for many cities in Zimbabwe.

Not sure yet where to go? We now have a tool which recommends destinations that suit your ideal travel conditions. Find out where to go with our weather planner.

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