Best Travel Time & Climate

Namibia is located in the Southern Hemisphere — the seasons are therefore opposite to Europe. The climate is predominantly dry and sunny, with large temperature differences between day and night.

Overview of the Seasons

🟢 Best Travel Time for Safari: May – October (Dry Season/Winter)

The absolute recommendation for first-time visitors:

• Etosha: Animals concentrate at the few waterholes — best wildlife viewing of the year
• Temperatures: Pleasant 20–28°C during the day, can get quite cold at night (down to 0°C in the desert!)
• No Rain: Roads and tracks are all passable
• High Season: July to October — book early, especially NWR camps in Etosha!

🟢 Best Travel Time for Sossusvlei: April – October

Moderate temperatures for dune climbing. In the peak summer (Dec–Feb), it becomes unbearably hot in the Namib — over 40°C in the sand.

🔵 Green Season: November – April (Rainy Season/Summer)

Short, intense afternoon thunderstorms, especially in the north. The landscape becomes green and lively:

• Kalahari and Etosha transform into green oases
• Migratory birds and flamingos in large numbers
• Animal babies everywhere (Lambing Season)
• Lower prices and fewer tourists
• Etosha Pan can fill — spectacular natural spectacle

🔴 Extreme Heat: December – February

Temperatures over 35°C, in the Namib over 40°C. Roads can become impassable after rainfalls. Not ideal for first-time visitors, but scenically impressive (green desert!).

Climate Table: Windhoek (1,700 m altitude)

Month	Temp. °C	Rainy Days	Safari	Dunes
January	17–30	8	⭐⭐	⭐⭐
February	17–29	8	⭐⭐	⭐⭐
March	16–28	7	⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐
April	13–27	4	⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐
May	9–25	1	⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
June	7–22	0	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
July	7–23	0	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
August	9–25	0	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
September	13–29	1	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐
October	15–31	2	⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐
November	16–31	4	⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐
December	17–31	6	⭐⭐	⭐⭐