Planning a trip to Namibia? And wondering what time of the year is the best time to visit? The answer to this question is often confusing because Namibia lies in the Southern Hemisphere, meaning the weather is often the inverse of what you would find in the Northern Hemisphere.

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Best Time to Visit Namibia

The best time to visit Namibia is usually the dry winter months June to September (peak season), when the temperatures are pleasant, rainfall is minimal, and the skies are sunny.  April and May also are also considered lovely months, coming soon after the rains with clear skies and a fresh green environment. Depending on your personal interests, you may wish to visit Namibia at a different time. Feel free to consult with one of our Namibia experts to see when is best for you.

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Seasons in Namibia

Broadly speaking, there are two seasons in Namibia:

• Winter: May to October (dry season)
• Summer: November to April (wet season)

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Where to Go in Namibia – Month by Month

• December to February: Rainy season. Very hot weather with afternoon thundershowers. Low season. Best time for birders.
• March to May: Rain becomes less frequent. Dry season followed by cool days and green landscape.
• June to August: Cool, dry season. Best time to visit. Temperatures at night drop substantially. Peak season.
• September to November: Temperatures start to rise again. By November there are good chances of catching the first thunderstorms of the rainy season.

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Where to Go and When?

June to October (Winter) – Best for Wildlife & Sunny Days

• This is the best time to go on wildlife safaris because of the dry winter months. Water is scarce, meaning that animals congregate around watering holes, making them easier to spot.
• From June to August the weather cools down, making it delightful during the day and chilly at night and early in the mornings (especially in the desert regions).
• It is peak season, however, parks rarely get overcrowded.
• September and October start to get warmer, with game viewing improving dramatically (although it does tend to get dusty).

November – Before the Rains

• November is a bridge month, sometimes incredibly hot and sometimes witness to the first rains of the season.

December to March (Summer) – Rain & Newborn Babies

• These are the hot and humid summer months with afternoon thunderstorms.
• October to February get incredibly hot, however, you will see the presence of new born babies (calving season) and lots of migratory birds.
• It is low season for Etosha as wildlife viewing becomes difficult during this point of time.

April & May – After the Rains

• April and May are also considered bridge months, when the rains are coming to a halt and the weather is beginning to cool.
• Wildlife viewing is still difficult in places, however, good weather and clear skies make it a nice alternative to peak season.

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Climate of Namibia

Namibia, which lies on the Tropic of Capricorn, generally has an arid desert climate, due to the prevalence of the Namib and Kalahari Deserts. It is also one of the sunniest countries in the world, with 300 days of sunshine on average.

But it still does see some amount of precipitation, with average rainfall increasing from the southwest to the northeast. The typically foggy Atlantic coast is colder than the rest of the country because of the north-flowing Benguela Current, with average summer temperatures in Swakopmund hovering around 20°C.

In the deserts, summer temperatures can reach a staggering 40-50°C, while winters are much more moderate, with highs in the mid-20s. Visitors to either of the deserts during the winter should be prepared for freezing or below-freezing temperatures at night, however. The climate Central Plateau is moderate both in terms of temperature and rainfall. Namibia’s main rainy season is from November to March.

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The Namibia Weather Calendar