Best time to visit Namibia

Visiting Namibia in February

Expect consistent hot weather throughout February. This is another great month to experience the Skeleton Coast. Nature walks may reveal the fascinating lives of the lizards, insects and birds that can survive the harsh conditions of this otherworldly coastline. Visit huge colonies of noisy Cape seal for a stark contrast to the mesmerising silence which predominated along these shores.

Visiting Namibia in March

The climate is still hot, making March an ideal time to enjoy Namibia’s coastal attractions. As you explore the country’s remotest reaches, stop by Swakopmund, a charming Art Deco town with heaps of culture. Learn about the country’s tribal history, the years of German colonisation and the thriving present day. Experience dolphin and seal tours, ride quadbikes in the desert and taste the famous Namibian oysters.

Visiting Namibia in April

The last month of the hot season has slightly cooler weather. April has an ideal climate for getting active and discovering the natural world at its most alluring. Gaze out over rocky mountains and sweeping plains made up of the distinctive red earth found in the NamibRand Nature Reserve, southern Africa’s largest self-sustaining reserve.

Visiting Namibia in May

The beginning of May is a good time to explore Etosha National Park when this destination is at its quietest. Discover Ongava Game Reserve, a pristine wildlife habitat attached to the park. Wildlife-watching excursions might reveal elephant, giraffe and zebra, as well as some big cats, as they seek out the perennial springs. Make the most of the long, warm evenings with night safaris, when Africa’s most peculiar creatures emerge.

Visiting Namibia in June

In June, all of Namibia’s most impressive destinations are at a comfortable climate for getting energetic outdoors. Wander along the wild desert beaches of the Skeleton Coast or trek far out into the Sossusvlei. This is also a great time to hike through the arid hills of Kunene where you meet with the nomadic Himba people and learn about life in one of the world’s wildest locations.

Visiting Namibia in July

With lower temperatures and a drier climate than at other times of the year, July is a good time to head to sun-baked Damaraland, another uniquely dramatic landscape. Discover the epitome of solitude as you rediscover yourself among the rugged flatlands or among the foothills of dusty mountains. You may even be lucky enough to spot a distant desert-adapted giraffe or elephant traversing the dusty dunes in search of fresh water.

Visiting Namibia in August

The daytime temperatures are warm, with slightly cooler nights. This is another good month for hiking through Namibia’s most surreal landscapes. Visit Okonjima Nature Reserve which sits within the awe-inspiring Omboroko Mountains. Explore the craggy sandstone outcrops in search fascinating hardy flora and elusive hyena and porcupine. Okonjima is also the home of the AfriCat Foundation, a fantastic conservation project which supports the local cheetah and leopard populations.

Visiting Namibia in September

Namibia’s reliably warm temperatures continue in September, through there may be a few light showers at the end of the month. This is another great month to discover the beauty of Kunene. Photographers and historians are guaranteed to be entranced by the rock art which has decorated the boulders of Twyfelfontein for millennia.

Visiting Namibia in October

The country is beginning to heat up yet mornings are likely to be cool and breezy. Etosha National Park still has a manageable climate for wildlife watching. Visit the eerie Dead Vlie, a barren salty landscape punctured by the remains of dead trees, charred black and preserved by the sun, and wander the silent dunes of the Sossusvlei. The clear night skies and warmer evenings make this an ideal time for star-gazing as far as can be from city lights.

Visiting Namibia in November

With a slight increase in temperature, November is another great month for visiting the lonely dunes of the Sossusvlei. Enjoy fantastic photography excursions, from late afternoon nature walks when the red sky reflects upon the pale sands to blissful sunrise hot air balloon rides. Further up the coastline, there are marvellous bird-watching opportunities at Pelican Point and Walvis Bay.

Visiting Namibia in December

Temperatures are soaring in December. This is a good time for night owls, with pleasantly warm nights. Enjoy the cooler climate on the Skeleton Coast or high among the rocky hills of Kunene. 

With December comes Christmas, and Namibia celebrates in style. Expect to see colourful decorations and taste festive German treats such as stolen and lebkuchen.