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African Safaris and Tours
When To Visit Namibia
Best Time to Visit Namibia: Seasons, Weather and Wildlife
Namibia is a year-round destination, with more than 300 days of sunshine a year. What changes with the seasons is the heat, the rain, the wildlife and the number of visitors. The best time to visit depends on what you want from the trip: Etosha's waterholes at their busiest, the desert green after the rains, or quiet lodges and empty roads.
Safari demand follows the dry season:
- Busiest: July to October
- Shoulder months: May, June and November
- Quietest: December to April
Namibia Month by Month
| Month | Weather | Wildlife and birding |
|---|---|---|
| January | Hot; main rains, mostly afternoon storms | Wildlife spread out; prime birding season |
| February | Hot; main rains; gravel roads at their most challenging | Wildlife spread out; prime birding season |
| March | Hot; main rains; gravel roads challenging | Wildlife spread out; prime birding season |
| April | Rains easing; roads still affected | Long grass makes game harder to spot; migrant birds leaving |
| May | Dry; warm days, cooler nights | Grass still long early in the month; game viewing improving |
| June | Dry; mid-winter, frost inland, freezing desert nights | Wildlife gathering at waterholes |
| July | Dry; mid-winter, frost inland, freezing desert nights | Waterholes busy |
| August | Dry; cold nights, warming days | Waterholes busy |
| September | Dry and warming | Waterholes busy; migrant birds start arriving |
| October | Hot; summer begins, first showers possible | Wildlife concentrated at waterholes |
| November | Hot; first thunderstorms | Wildlife disperses after rain; birding season begins |
| December | Hot; main rains begin | Wildlife spread out; good birding |
Summer and the Rains (October to April)
Namibia's summer runs from October to April and brings the rain, though "rainy" is relative in a country this dry. A short, light rainy spell between September and November is followed by the main rains from December to April, mostly as brief afternoon thunderstorms. Rain is heaviest in the north-east, which averages around 600 mm a year, and almost absent on the coast. Average summer temperatures run from about 20 °C on the coast to 35 °C in the central region, and the south, especially the Namib, can top 40 °C. A heavy downpour can turn gravel roads slow and slippery, so allow extra driving time.
The reward is space. Attractions are quiet and the desert greens up after good rains. We've travelled Namibia in midsummer and had lodges and viewpoints almost to ourselves. Most of us at Uyaphi.com don't mind the heat, and an air-conditioned vehicle and lodge room take care of the worst of it.
Winter and the Dry Season (May to October)
The dry season runs from May to October and is Namibia's busiest time for safaris. Winter proper, from June to August, brings mild, sunny days and cold nights. Temperatures drop below zero in mid-winter, desert nights can freeze, and frost is common on the central plateau. Afternoon and pre-dawn temperatures can be as much as 30 °C apart, so pack warm layers for early game drives. By September and October the heat is building again ahead of the first rains.
The dry season also brings the visitors, and every major attraction is busier. Even so, Sossusvlei is the only place that has ever felt crowded to us.
The Coast: Fog, Cool Air and Berg Winds
Swakopmund and the coast have weather of their own. The cold Benguela Current keeps rainfall to 50 mm a year or less, brings frequent dense fog, and holds temperatures well below those inland all year round. The fog usually lifts by mid-morning and rolls back in late in the afternoon. In winter, an occasional hot, dry east wind (the berg wind, or oosweer) blows from the desert to the sea and can whip up sandstorms.
Best Season for Wildlife
The dry months from May to October are best for Etosha National Park. With the plains dried out, animals gather at the waterholes ringing the Etosha Pan, and a few hours parked at one can bring elephant, giraffe, plains zebra and springbok down to drink. After good summer rains the wildlife spreads out and becomes harder to find. On our own summer visit, Etosha was a disappointment.
Best Season for Birding
The rainy season from November to April is the season for birders. Food is plentiful, migrant birds arrive, and many species breed and show their breeding plumage. The wetter north and north-east come into their own, and after a good rainy season the Etosha Pan can fill as a shallow lake and draw birds in large numbers.
So When Is the Best Time to Visit Namibia?
If wildlife tops your list, plan your safari in Namibia for the dry months, when days are mild and Etosha's waterholes are at their busiest. If you don't mind the heat, summer has plenty going for it: quieter roads, a greener desert and the best birding of the year. Malaria risk in the north also changes with the seasons, so read our Namibia malaria guide before you book. Tell us when you can travel, and our Namibia specialists will shape your itinerary around it.
Namibia Climate Charts: Temperature and Rainfall
Windhoek Temperature Chart
Windhoek Average Rainfall Chart
Etosha Temperature Chart
Etosha Average Rainfall Chart
Solitaire Temperature Chart
Solitaire Average Rainfall Chart
Swakopmund Temperature Chart
Swakopmund Average Rainfall Chart
When to Visit Namibia: Frequently Asked Questions
When is the best time to visit Namibia?
For a wildlife-focused trip, the best time is the dry season from May to October, when animals gather at Etosha's waterholes and days are mild. Namibia works year-round, though, with more than 300 days of sunshine a year. Summer suits travellers who want quieter roads, green landscapes and the best birding.
When is the rainy season in Namibia?
Namibia's main rainy season runs from December to April, after a short, lighter rainy spell between September and November. Most rain falls as brief afternoon thunderstorms. The north-east is the wettest region, averaging around 600 mm a year, while the coast gets 50 mm or less. Rainfall varies widely from year to year.
Is October a good time to visit Namibia?
October is a good time for wildlife, but it is hot. It is the last month of the dry season, when animals are concentrated at Etosha's waterholes, and the first month of summer, with Windhoek averaging daytime highs near 29 °C. The first showers can arrive, and migrant birds are starting to return.
How cold does Namibia get at night in winter?
Winter nights inland are cold. Temperatures drop below zero in mid-winter, desert nights can freeze, and frost is common on the central plateau. Temperatures can swing by up to 30 °C between afternoon and pre-dawn, so a mild day can end near freezing. Pack warm layers, a beanie and gloves for early-morning game drives.
Why is the Namibian coast so foggy?
The coast is foggy because the cold, north-flowing Benguela Current cools the air above it, producing frequent dense fog and very little rain. The fog usually lifts by mid-morning and returns late in the afternoon. Walvis Bay averages daytime highs of roughly 16–20 °C all year, and an occasional winter berg wind brings sudden heat and sandstorms.
When is the best time for wildlife in Etosha?
The dry months from May to October are the best time for wildlife in Etosha National Park. As surface water disappears, animals gather at the waterholes around the Etosha Pan, where they are easier to find. After good summer rains there is water everywhere, the grass grows long, and wildlife spreads out across the park.
When is the best time for birding in Namibia?
The best time for birding in Namibia is the rainy season, from November to April. Food is plentiful, migrant birds arrive, and many species breed and show their breeding plumage. After a good rainy season, the Etosha Pan can fill as a shallow lake, making the park better for birding than for game viewing.
Map of Lodges in and around Namibia
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