Best Time to Visit Namibia

The best time to visit Namibia depends on the type of vacation you intend to have. Generally, Namibia’s dry season, from May to October, is popular among travellers as it is the best time to visit Etosha Namibia and engage in wildlife viewing.

The lack of rain forces animals to gather around water holes which makes it easier to spot them. This is also when visitors can enjoy clear skies and pleasant daytime temperatures which are ideal for exploring the beauty of Namibia’s awe-inspiring landscapes, including the towering dunes of Sossusvlei.

Travellers who wish to explore Namibia in a budget-friendly manner with fewer tourists around should visit it during shoulder season from April to November.

Finally, if visitors want to enjoy the green season, the best time to visit Namibia is from December to March. Despite the rainy season, the landscape comes alive with vibrant colours. However, certain regions may be inaccessible owing to the rains.

The diverse wildlife and charming landscapes of Namibia make it a year-round destination. However, the best time to travel to Namibia depends on the kind of experience visitors are expecting. Here is a breakdown of the seasons to help plan your ideal vacation to Namibia:

-Peak Season in Namibia

Namibia’s dry season is considered the peak time for travelling. This is the best time to visit Namibia for wildlife exploration as animals gather around scarce water sources.

Additionally, the pleasantly sunny daytime weather makes it ideal to explore the iconic dunes and canyons of Namibia. However, expect higher prices and more tourists this time of the year.

-Shoulder Season in Namibia

For milder weather and fewer tourists, consider visiting Namibia in April or November. The rainy season will have concluded by April and the landscapes will remain lush with greenery. Conversely, November marks the initiation of the rainy season but the rains are minimal and wildlife viewing can be enjoyed.

-Off-Season in Namibia

The wet season of Namibia which is from December to March is the best time for birdwatching. While the rains can make it harder to access certain areas, the landscapes are alive with greenery. This is also when there are fewer crowds and the travel prices will be lower.

Namibia promises a range of unique experiences all year round with a distinct charm every month. From lush green landscapes in the wet season to the prime wildlife viewing in the dry season, there is something for every traveller. This month-by-month guide will help you plan your ideal trip to Namibia:**

-January in Namibia

In January the wet season of Namibia is initiated and the landscapes transition to lush green expanses. Although rainfall is frequent in January, the showers typically occur during afternoons leaving mornings the best time for exploring.

This is also the best time to engage in birdwatching as several migratory species flock to the lands in large numbers. It can, however, be challenging to spot wildlife as they are dispersed owing to several water sources.

-Average Temperature: 18°C to 32°C

-Best Places to Visit:

• Caprivi Strip to engage in birdwatching and enjoying the greenery of the landscapes.

• Etosha National Park to experience a quieter safari with few tourists around.

• Namib Desert to witness the rare green transformation of the landscape.

-Things to Experience:

• Carry your binoculars and engage in birdwatching for migratory species.

• Enjoy the picturesque scenery of the vivid green landscapes.

• Visiting the national parks that are less crowded this time of the year.

-February in Namibia

This is the continuation of the wet season when the landscape of Namibia is carpeted with greenery and seasonal flowers. Although this is not the ideal season for a safari, it is still a great time for photographers and nature lovers to enjoy the beauty of Namibia. The desert is dotted with temporary rivers and the water holes are filled.

-Average Temperature: 19°C to 32°C

-Best Places to Visit:

• Sossusvlei is a great place for engaging in photography in the lush green desert.

• Skeleton Coast will offer striking coastal views with dramatic beauty.

• Caprivi Strip to witness the greenery and the abundant birdlife.

-Things to Experience:

• Engage in birdwatching, which is at its peak this time of the year.

• Witnessing the seasonal bloom in the desert region.

• Exploring the beautiful coastlines of Namibia.

-March in Namibia

March is the tail end of the wet season in Namibia. The rains begin to dwindle and the landscape is vibrant and lively. Although the time is not ideal for witnessing the wildlife, the vistas are still strikingly beautiful with blooming flowers and full rivers. This is also the final month for bird viewing before the migratory species begin to leave.

-Average Temperature: 17°C to 30°C

-Best Places to Visit:

• Fish River Canyon for the striking beauty of the post-rainfall landscapes.

• Zambezi Region for enjoying birdwatching and the beauty of the lush forests.

• Damaraland for its dramatic rock formations and rugged beautiful landscapes.

-Things to Experience:

• Birdwatching and photography of rare, migratory species before they leave.

• Trekking in the desert areas through the blooming trail.

• Enjoying the lush greenery of the post-rain vistas.

-April in Namibia

April is the beginning of shoulder season in Namibia. By this time, the wet season has concluded but the landscapes remain lush and lively. As there are fewer tourists around this time of the year, visitors can enjoy a quieter experience. It also becomes comparatively easier to spot the wildlife as water sources start to dry up.

-Average Temperature: 15°C to 29°C

-Best Places to Visit:

• Etosha National Park as wildlife congregates near the remaining water holes.

• Damaraland for its unique geological features, wealth of rock paintings and scenic views.

• Namib Desert for a peaceful escapade into the iconic dunes.

-Things to Experience:

• Exploring the wildlife as spotting becomes easier.

• Visiting cultural sites with fewer tourists around.

• Enjoying scenic drives through lush green landscapes.

-May in Namibia

This time of the year, the skies are clear and the temperatures are cooler as the dry season begins. As animals begin to gather around water holes, this is the best time for safari in Namibia. Although the landscapes begin to dry out, the weather continues to remain pleasant for outdoor activities.

-Average Temperature: 12°C to 26°C

-Best Places to Visit:

• This is the best time to visit Etosha, Namibia to engage in wildlife viewing.

• Sossusvlei is great for hiking and witnessing the beauty of the iconic red sand dunes.

• Swakopmund for adventure enthusiasts and enjoying coastal breezes.

-Things to Experience:

• This is the best time to visit Namibia for wildlife viewing.

• Climbing the dunes of Sossusvlei, which are some of the tallest sand dunes in the world.

• Exploring adventure sports such as sandboarding and quad biking in Swakopmund.

-June in Namibia

In June, the dry season is in full swing, making it the best month to visit Namibia. The weather is cool and the national parks reveal the rare and beautiful wildlife of Namibia, especially closer to the water sources. The clear skies make it an ideal time for stargazing and the cool temperatures make it the best time to visit Namibia’s desert.

-Average Temperature: 9°C to 24°C

-Best Places to Visit:

• Etosha National Park for excellent wildlife viewing.

• Namib Desert for surreal, clear-sky landscapes and epic sand dunes.

• Twyfelfontein, which was proclaimed a national monument in 1952, for ancient rock engravings.

-Things to Experience:

• Game drives in Etosha with optimal wildlife spotting including elephants, giraffes, rhinos, lions and many buck species. Some fortunate travellers might also get to see leopards and cheetahs.

• Experiencing the beauty of the star-lit skies under the clear night skies of Namibia.

• Explore the outdoors by hiking in the cooler desert temperatures.

-July in Namibia

July is the best time to visit the Namibia desert as this is the peak dry season and the weather is sunny and cool. As the water is scarce, animals gather around the few water holes, making it an ideal time for game viewing.

-Average Temperature: 7°C to 23°C

-Best Places to Visit:

• Head to Etosha National Park for unparalleled wildlife viewing.

• Fish River Canyon for hiking and awe-inspiring scenery.

• Namib Desert for enjoying the striking beauty of sunrise over the majestic dunes.

-Things to Experience:

• Enjoy the beautiful sunrise with scenic hikes up Sossusvlei’s sand dunes.

• Game drives through the flourishing wildlife of Etosha.

• Exploring the beauty of the Fish River Canyon via hiking.

-August in Namibia

The dry season continues in August making it the best time for a safari in Namibia or enjoying a desert exploration. The breathtaking landscapes during this time of the year are at their most dramatic. Moreover, as rainfall is minimal, remote regions such as the Skeleton Coast and Damaraland can still be easily accessed.

-Average Temperature: 10°C to 25°C

-Best Places to Visit:

• Etosha National Park for the best safari experiences.

• Skeleton Coast for its wild and unusual windswept beaches.

• Sossusvlei for otherworldly desert landscapes that afford a soulful solitude.

-Things to Experience:

• Be stunned by the beautiful wildlife of Namibia with safari drives in Etosha.

• Explore the large, red sand dunes, in the desolate and dramatic Skeleton Coast.

• Photographing the iconic red dunes of Sossusvlei.

-September in Namibia

By this time, the peak dry season of Namibia comes to an end, however, wildlife viewing remains at its peak as the water is even scarcer.

Although the temperatures begin to warm up, the weather is still comfortable for outdoor activities. This is also a great time for exploring the desert region and the national parks before the summer kicks in.

-Average Temperature: 14°C to 30°C

-Best Places to Visit:

• Etosha National Park for wildlife spotting during the late dry season.

• Sossusvlei for excellent views of the sunrise over the dunes with exceptional photography opportunities.

• Swakopmund, the adventure capital of Namibia, to enjoy quad biking, sandboarding, and other adventure sports.

-Things to Experience:

• Unmatched wildlife viewing as animals congregate near waterholes.

• As temperatures in the morning and evening are cool, visitors can enjoy desert hikes.

• Enjoy adventure activities dune boarding and skydiving to enjoy the picturesque aerial views of Swakopmund.

-October in Namibia

As it is the beginning of the hot season in Namibia, the temperatures in October begin to rise, accompanied by some rain. While wildlife viewing can still be enjoyed in Etosha as animals flock to the water holes, travellers will need to prepare for the rising heat, particularly in desert regions such as Sossusvlei. The striking beauty of the desert can be witnessed this time of the year as the landscapes are dry.

-Average Temperature: 18°C to 35°C

-Best Places to Visit:

• Etosha National Park for enjoying the peak of wildlife viewing.

• Sossusvlei for the stark beauty of the iconic desert landscapes.

• Damaraland for its rocky terrain and rugged vistas with ancient rock art and its population of Elephants and black Rhino that have adapted to the desert.

-Things to Experience:

Enjoy memorable game drives in Etosha with outstanding visibility of wildlife.

Explore the dunes of Sossusvlei with early morning treks.

Travel back in time and view authentic San/Bushman rock art by visiting ancient cultural sites in Damaraland.

-November in Namibia

November serves as the transitional month in Namibia as the dry weather makes way for the wet season. While the temperatures continue to soar, occasional rainfalls afford some relief.

Although wildlife viewing still continues in Etosha, the tourist crowds begin to thin by this time. Yet, this is a great time for photography as the landscapes start to come alive again with greenery.

-Average Temperature: 20°C to 34°C

-Best Places to Visit:

• Explore ate-season game viewing at the Etosha National Park

• Caprivi Strip for witnessing the beauty of unspoilt nature, teeming game reserves and engaging in birdwatching.

• Sossusvlei for dramatic vistas of the desert before the rains.

-Things to Experience:

• Enjoy safari drives with fewer tourists around.

• Engage in photography of the desert before the rains for memories of a lifetime.

• Discover rare and beautiful migratory bird species in the Caprivi Strip.

-December in Namibia

As the beginning of the rainy season in Namibia, December marks the transformation of dry landscapes into lush greenery. Despite certain regions becoming inaccessible owing to the rains, the country still offers breathtaking scenery particularly in areas where seasonal rivers flow. This is also a great time to engage in birdwatching.

-Average Temperature: 22°C to 34°C

-Best Places to Visit:

• Explore the vibrant, green paradise and the unique birdlife at the Caprivi Strip.

• Sossusvlei for striking beauty of unparallelled green desert landscapes.

• Etosha National Park for quieter wildlife experiences.

-Things to Experience:

• Engage in birdwatching in the Caprivi Strip.

• Photograph the lush desert landscapes post-rain.

• Exploring the quiet national parks with fewer tourists around.

The striking beauty of the natural wonders of Namibia and the extraordinary wildlife promise a memorable travel experience. However, unforeseeable eventualities such as medical emergencies can arise anytime and receiving the right medical care can be expensive for travellers. Therefore, travellers are advised to invest in travel insurance online to appropriately secure their vacation.

TATA AIG has made it easy to buy travel insurance online and the policy ensures you are safeguarded against a host of unpleasant scenarios, from medical emergencies and trip curtailment to flight delays, personal liabilities and more. Insurance seekers can also check their travel insurance price by using the free insurance calculator available online.

Regardless of when you plan to travel, the scenic landscapes and diverse wildlife of Namibia will captivate you and provide an unforgettable experience. From thrilling safaris in the dry season to the lush greenery of the wet season, there is something spectacular to experience throughout the year.

With this guide, you can plan your trip to Namibia and make the most of your vacation. However, it is important to secure your trip with international travel insurance so you are financially secured against unforeseeable scenarios.

What are the popular activities to explore in Namibia?

Namibia’s most popular activities for tourists include safaris in Etosha National Park for wildlife spotting, hiking the red sand dunes at Sossusvlei and exploring the dramatic beauty of the Skeleton Coast.

Is vegetarian food available in Namibia?

Namibia is famed for its meat-based dishes, however, major restaurants in cities will offer vegetarian options. It is advised to carry snacks when travelling to remote regions.

What souvenirs can I buy from Namibia?

Popular souvenirs from Namibia include hand-carved wooden crafts, woven baskets, gemstones, Himba jewellery and pottery. Ensure you check the customs regulations when bringing items back to India.