Of course, weather considerations dominate our eclipse site selection process. In 2001, we have an opportunity to combine several unique spectacles along with one of the longest and most promising eclipse viewing experiences. We will visit the magnificent Victoria Falls, one the seven wonders of the world; we will take a mini-safari in nearby northern Botswana, boasting some of the best game viewing in Africa; and we will visit Kariba, the area closest to the eclipse viewing site, with the largest man-made lake in Africa, seen from houseboats on the lake.
We could not have chosen a better time for this event in that area. Kariba, potentially unbearably hot during certain months, will be it’s coolest and driest during June. The temperatures are generally in the 70’s with clear skies. Also, because of the dry weather, malaria risk is relatively low during that time, although the CDC still recommends taking the usual precautions.
At 3 p.m. local time, we will be situated in a town north of Kariba, on top of a hill with good visibility. Should there be cloud cover (unlikely in that area) we have some alternate locations on the road back to Kariba. Weather-wise, our probability of eclipse visibility at totality from this area is 70%. When our mobility is considered, that probability increases. Locations farther west in Africa often have problems with smoke from constantly burning fires. Further east, the percentage of cloudiness increases everywhere, even within Zimbabwe.