The Best Time of Year for a Namibia Safari

Climate Guide for Namibia

Destination Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Damaraland

80°F

2″

78°F

2″

78°F

3″

78°F

0″

75°F

0″

71°F

0″

69°F

0″

75°F

0″

78°F

0″

82°F

0″

82°F

0″

80°F

0″

Fish River Canyon

91°F

0″

91°F

0″

87°F

0″

84°F

0″

77°F

0″

73°F

0″

71°F

0″

75°F

0″

78°F

0″

84°F

0″

87°F

0″

91°F

0″

Sossusvlei & Sesriem

77°F

0″

77°F

0″

77°F

0″

75°F

0″

71°F

0″

69°F

0″

68°F

0″

68°F

0″

69°F

0″

73°F

0″

75°F

0″

77°F

0″

Southern Kalahari

95°F

1″

93°F

1″

89°F

1″

84°F

0″

75°F

0″

69°F

0″

71°F

0″

75°F

0″

82°F

0″

87°F

0″

93°F

0″

95°F

0″

The Skeleton Coast

73°F

0″

75°F

0″

75°F

0″

73°F

0″

71°F

0″

69°F

0″

71°F

0″

75°F

0″

82°F

0″

87°F

0″

93°F

0″

95°F

0″

Windhoek

87°F

2″

84°F

3″

82°F

3″

80°F

1″

77°F

0″

71°F

0″

73°F

0″

78°F

0″

84°F

0″

87°F

0″

87°F

1″

89°F

1″

Dry Season
Wet Season
Best Time for a Safari
Destination Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Damaraland

27°C

54mm

26°C

64mm

26°C

81mm

26°C

25mm

24°C

3mm

22°C

0mm

21°C

0mm

24°C

0mm

26°C

2mm

28°C

10mm

28°C

20mm

27°C

17mm

Fish River Canyon

33°C

6mm

33°C

9mm

31°C

17mm

29°C

6mm

25°C

3mm

23°C

3mm

22°C

2mm

24°C

1mm

26°C

2mm

29°C

3mm

31°C

2mm

33°C

3mm

Sossusvlei & Sesriem

25°C

6mm

25°C

8mm

25°C

13mm

24°C

4mm

22°C

2mm

21°C

3mm

20°C

1mm

20°C

1mm

21°C

1mm

23°C

1mm

24°C

2mm

25°C

1mm

Southern Kalahari

35°C

36mm

34°C

39mm

32°C

42mm

29°C

22mm

24°C

6mm

21°C

2mm

22°C

0mm

24°C

1mm

28°C

1mm

31°C

7mm

34°C

12mm

35°C

16mm

The Skeleton Coast

23°C

5mm

24°C

4mm

24°C

10mm

23°C

1mm

22°C

0mm

21°C

0mm

19°C

0mm

18°C

0mm

19°C

0mm

20°C

0mm

22°C

1mm

22°C

1mm

Windhoek

31°C

75mm

29°C

92mm

28°C

84mm

27°C

33mm

25°C

6mm

22°C

2mm

23°C

0mm

26°C

1mm

29°C

3mm

31°C

12mm

31°C

28mm

32°C

31mm

Dry Season
Wet Season
Best Time for a Safari

The best months to visit Namibia are between the months of May and October, when the weather is dry.

These are Namibia’s winter months and the conditions make it perfect to go on an adventure, especially in the Etosha region and with the cool weather, spending hours on the road are a lot more comfortable.

During this time of the year, the skies are mostly clear, and there is also a very low risk of contracting malaria. The dry months are also optimal for wildlife viewing, because the animals tend to congregate around watering holes. The lack of rain also means that it is easier to view wildlife since the vegetation is not so overgrown that it blocks out the view.

While the weather is sublime at this time of year, it is still winter. Mornings and evenings can get frigidly cold, with occasional frost in some places in June and July. By September and October, the winter is long gone and the days become hot. Summer rains fall between November and April, and can be so heavy that sometimes parts of the country flood.

Month by Month Travellers Guide

Namibia Tours from January to April

January in Namibia is the hottest time of the year to travel, and afternoons often end with a tremendous thunderstorm and heavy rains. These rains are what bring places like Etosha back to life after a dry winter, but they are also what makes the plants grow thick, making the wildlife hard to see. During this time of the year there is also an increased risk of Malaria in the northern parts of the country.

By February the days are uncomfortably humid and wet, but one thing about ravelling at this time of the year is that it is a good time to see the new born wildlife. In March the rains have eased and although the days are still hot, the evenings start cooling off. By April, the days are much cooler and the skies have started clearing up, making Namibia the perfect place for a photographic safari.

Namibia Tours from May to June

May marks the start of winter, and it is one of the best months to head off on a Namibia holiday. May is also the start of the safari season, with the weather conditions being perfect for a game drive since there is little chance of being washed out and there is very little humidity to contend with.

By June the days and nights are cold, although not so cold that a trip to the country will be unpleasant. The air is crisp and clear, and because everything has become quite dry during this month wildlife will be a lot easier to see.

Namibia Tours from July to October

The country is deep into the heart of winter by July, making cosy evenings by the fire the best way to end the day. Because July is one of the driest times of the year, it is an ideal time to go to Etosha National Park to have a safari, as the animals will be congregated around the various watering holes.

By the time August rolls around, the winter is at its peak. August is the busiest time of the year for Namibia tours, as guests flock to the country to take advantage of the great weather and the easy wildlife viewing. They also come to the country at this time of year to see the start of the wild spring flowers, as they begin to put on a show.

In September, the weather starts to get warm in a hurry. And once October arrives, the weather starts feeling like full on summer and while the skies are still for the most part quite clear, the rain is certainly in the air. For those who love a light African summer, this is by far the best time of the year to be travelling.

Namibia Tours from November to December

The Namibia summer rains arrive in November and the weather starts to get unpredictable. Much of the rainfall comes along with the most incredible thunderstorms, which are sure to take your breath away. If you want to see something really out of this world, when travelling in the Swakopmund area between November and February you will be able to see flocks of pink flamingos.

Although summer is in full swing now, December is still a great time of year to be travelling to Namibia. During December, Etosha and other areas put on a vibrant display of both plant and wildlife, and for bird watchers, the annual migrations can be seen, as the birds return for the summer rains.

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