The Best Time to Travel to Namibia
Written by Nina van Zyl
From the wide-open spaces of the Namib Desert to the lush foliage of the Zambezi, Namibia proves to be a truly unforgettable year-round destination for soul-seeking travellers to nature-loving adventurers. With so much of the country experiencing desert conditions, you can be sure that a visit to Namibia means ample moments of sunshine. Here’s our guide to the best time to travel to Namibia.
January: Summer / Good Season
The first month of the year coincides with the end of the Namibian summer holidays, which sees locals that had fled the heat of the central regions slowly making their way back to begin the year’s work. This means that the coastal towns like Swakopmund are emptied of crowds and perfect to explore. Expect warmer sea temperatures than usual and hot sunny days.
February: Summer / Good Season
The last month of summer in Namibia is perfect for game viewing. Landscapes are lush and green, with warm days and cool nights. Make your way to Etosha National Park, where herds will be teeming with their adorable young.
March: Autumn / High Season
The beginning of March heralds the milder temperatures of autumn. With cool nights and warm days, now’s the time to explore extreme locations, like Damaraland, the Skeleton Coast, and Sossusvlei. Flash floods are a possibility during this time, as Namibia is known for its dramatic rainstorms; if you’re camping, make sure you don’t set up your tent in a dry riverbed, as rains further upstream could make the river come down.
April: Autumn / High Season
Locals enjoy the Easter Holidays in April, which usually sees an increase in accommodation prices, especially at the coast. This is not the time to venture to the sea, as you would want to make the most of the pleasant weather inland. Except for the last rains that might shake things up, this would be a great time to explore the Spitzkoppe and the majestic mountains of the Erongo.
May: Autumn / High Season
Chilly May weather comes with bright sunshiny days that are perfect for safaris. Head to Etosha National Park, where fewer water sources in the wild means animals flock to the waterholes – perfect for a bit of game viewing and wildlife photography!
June: Winter / High Season
The official start of winter doesn’t see a large change in overall weather. Now’s a good time to go camping in the Namib Desert or Damaraland, as you can enjoy nights lying under a wide, clear canopy of stars with not a cloud in sight. Just remember to pack warm clothing, as temperatures in the desert can go very low at night.
July: Winter / High Season
The great thing about Namibia in the winter is that it’s dry and sunny. So if you’re planning on escaping a wet homeland, Namibia in July is the perfect destination. This is still High Season, though, so accommodation needs to be booked far in advance and prices might fluctuate. At this time of the year, ideal destinations to visit include the Kolmanskop Ghost Town in Namibia’s south and the wild horse colony nearby.
August: Winter / Good Season
The end of winter means a change in typical weather conditions again. While flowers are budding and filling the air with sweet scents, the winds needed to pollinate them are picking up. So if you suffer from allergies or sinus, the coming months are perhaps not ideal for you. Expect dusty conditions countrywide.
September: Spring / Good Season
September is known for its winds, and with the start of the rainy season a little way off, Namibia’s landscapes are dry and brown. That’s not to say there’s not much to see. The days are still sunny, and animals are easy to see in the insubstantial wilderness. Now is also a good time to hike the Waterberg to see its myriad of flowers sprouting all over the mountain.
October: Spring / Low Season
With its warm sunny days, October is a great time to visit Namibia, especially as it’s Low Season, meaning fewer crowds and better prices. Game viewing throughout the central regions is excellent as vegetation is insubstantial and water sources are scarce.
November: Summer / Low Season
The summer season means the start of hot days with lots of sunshine. Now is the perfect time to explore the coast, where you can witness massive flocks of flamboyant pink flamingos congregate in their thousands in the lagoons of Walvis Bay.
December: Summer / Low Season
Temperatures pick up even more, with summer days becoming hot and humid with a chance of rain. December is a great time to birdwatch in the country, especially in the Zambezi Region or Etosha National Park.
Explore Namibia’s year-round sights
Namibia is brimming with unexplored destinations and crowd-free hotspots. Interested? Find out more about booking your next sustainable trip to Namibia.