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Written by: Colin on 10 September 2024

When is the best time to visit Etosha National Park? A Comprehensive Guide

best time to visit etosha national park

The best time to visit Etosha National Park for a safari is during the dry season, from May to October. During this time, temperatures are at their lowest, and wildlife viewing conditions are at their best, making it easier to spot a wide variety of species. In this blog, we will explore why the timing of your visit to Etosha is crucial and highlight lesser-known periods perfect for landscape photographers and nature enthusiasts seeking to leave the rest of the world behind.

Self-drive vehicle driving through the gate of the Etosha National Park at sunrise.

An overview of Etosha National Park

Although the best time to visit Etosha National Park in northern Namibia is during the dry season, you can visit the park year-round. It is a dream destination, home to a wide variety of wildlife, including four of the Big Five. It features dramatic landscapes that can appear harsh at times but abundant at others.

Much of the Etosha region consists of savannah grasslands, with the Etosha pan in its centre. The pan, a vast lake bed visible from space, is dry most of the year due to the hot, semi-arid climate. Yet, the park’s seemingly barren appearance is an illusion, as this ecosystem is home to one of the most abundant displays of wildlife in southern Africa. This incredible landscape can support vast numbers due to numerous underground reservoirs feeding permanent waterholes along the southern edge of the pan and the surrounding plains.

Ostrich and springboks in the background crossing a dusty road in Etosha.

To truly appreciate Etosha National Park, it’s essential to understand its yearly life cycle. The wet and dry seasons influence the numerous fascinating phenomena in the park, such as calving, mating, migratory movements, blooming of desert flowers, and predator-prey dynamics – and essentially the best time to visit Etosha National Park. The following sections reveal more and will help you plan for an unforgettable experience in this incredible park.

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When is the best time to visit Etosha? Understanding the seasons in Etosha National Park

The Wet Season (November to April) – what to expect

In the wet season, Etosha National Park experiences high temperatures and afternoon rainfall. Abundant forage and water allow wildlife to spread into the vast savannah, and rising water levels make parts of the park unreachable. This results in challenging wildlife spotting. Nonetheless, the dry pan has transformed into a lake, and the park is lush and green. Additionally, it’s the low season, making it the best time to visit Etosha if you love being in nature, are passionate about landscape photography, or want to avoid crowds. Moreover, as game drives occur in the early morning and evening, you can avoid the afternoon heat and thunderstorms.

The park’s annual story begins at the end of a long six-month dry season. This period is challenging for the herbivores because there is little to feed on, and swirling dust devils fill the air. Daily visits to drying waterholes to obtain life-sustaining drinking water become increasingly dangerous, as well-fed predators lie in ambush to pick off the weak and old. However, hope appears on the horizon in the form of distant rainstorms.

Rain falls from a cone-shaped cloud in a pink, purple and orange sky during the rainy season in Etosha National Park.

During Namibia’s wet season, rainfall varies from 2mm in the Namib Desert along the coast to 600mm in the Caprivi Strip to the northeast. Etosha National Park receives approximately 418mm of rainfall, and afternoon temperatures range from 32°C (90°F) to 35°C (95°F). 

When the rains arrive in short afternoon thunderstorms, they transform the park, especially during the peak rainfall from January to March. The pan, a natural depression with no outlet, is fed by several small rivers, including the Ekuma River, and slowly fills. It is believed that the larger northern Kunene River once filled the lake before tectonic plate movement disrupted the flow from the Angola highlands, its source, and redirected the river to the Atlantic Ocean.

The lake, now 50 miles across and only two feet deep, comes to life. Catfish spawn after remaining buried in the lake bed during the dry season, while bullfrogs give birth to thousands of tadpoles. These defenceless young quickly fall prey to egrets, herons, snakes, terrapins, Fish eagles, Blue cranes and other predators. Great-white pelicans arrive en mass to give birth to their young on predator-free islands, and flamingos dot the shoreline. 

Zebras drinking at a waterhole surrounded by green grass.

The grasslands absorb the water, and wildflowers appear, accompanied by the chorus of mating bullfrogs. Herbivores, like wildebeest and zebra, have plenty to eat, spread out into the plains and give birth to their young in lush green landscapes under a vast, dust-free African sky. Despite the higher temperatures and lower wildlife numbers, the colours and abundance of nature make it a spectacular time to visit Etosha.

Thanks to the wet season, the wildlife of Etosha experiences a bountiful season; strengthened and renewed, they are now prepared for the long, harsh dry season ahead.

Ostrich, zebra and wildebeest stand on a green grassy landscape with termite mounts in the background.

The Dry Season (May to October) – what to expect

The best time to visit Etosha National Park is during the dry season, when a wide variety of wildlife can be observed. As the landscapes dry out, vast numbers of animals and birds gather near the park’s 40+ spring-fed waterholes, providing the opportunity to see four of the Big Five, excluding buffalo, and many other wildlife species. Additionally, temperatures are lower, with comfortable highs ranging from 27°C (80°F) to 33°C (91°F). Yet mornings are cold. It is the high season, and the park is at its busiest.

The dry season is fascinating, and each passing month has unique characteristics. As grasslands dry, the rutting season starts for species such as the blue wildebeest, black-faced impala, and springbok. Males clash horns as they compete to mate with small groups of females. Often distracted, they fall prey to lion attacks.

A jackal looking directly into the camera.

As the months pass, the lake begins to dry, and zebras can be seen wading through the mud to find new grazing areas. The lake eventually hardens under the harsh sun, forming a pattern of cracks on the surface and exposing the previously safe Pelican islands. This allows Black-backed jackals and Spotted hyenas to carry out evening raids on the colony to prey on flightless chicks. Soon, the lakebed turns into a dusty white pan, which gives the park its name, originating from the Oshindonga word, “Great White Place.”

The drying grasslands prompt grazers to seek fresh grass, following trails from one waterhole to another. Herds of elephants dusted white from the pan’s clay soils create wide, meandering paths, which Angolan giraffes, Greater kudus, oryx, and Southwestern black and Southern-white rhinos use. 

Elephants on their way through the white dust of the Etosha Pan during the dry season, the best time for wildlife viewing in Etosha National Park.

After three rainless months, the waterholes become even more perilous. As the wildlife nervously comes to drink, the shrill call from Blacksmith-plover and fleeting Crowned guinea fowl signal a lion or leopard charging from a concealed position, and chaos ensues. It is a dramatic time to be in the park.

At dawn and dusk, the waterholes are a paradise for birdwatchers. They are frequented by ostriches, Bateleur eagles, Kori bustards, Glossy starlings, Red-headed finches, weavers, and large flocks of Red-billed quelea, as well as many more.

For the past six months, there has been no rain in Etosha. Egyptian geese wade in muddy pools, bat-eared foxes scratch for ground-dwelling insects, adding to the dusty haze, and grazing herds return in long, meandering lines to the shoreline. By the time the rains arrive, they will have reached the same breeding grounds as the year before. Looming thunderstorms appear. Life-giving rain will replenish this stunning ecosystem, and the annual cycle of death and renewal will continue, just as it has for millions of years.

Zebras walking through the Etosha National Park with the Etosha Pan and an Acacia tree in the background. It's the dry season the best time to visit Etosha.

When is the best time to visit Etosha National Park? Month by Month

The Wet Season: November to April

The wet season is the best time to visit Etosha National Park for landscape photography and to see the ecosystem transformed:

November and December experience short afternoon thunderstorms that bring some relief to the plains; however, rainfall is relatively low at this time of year. Nonetheless, it is enough for acacia trees to blossom and form new leaves, which brings sustenance to Angolan Giraffes and foraging insects. It is the hottest time of year, with afternoon temperatures reaching 35°C (95°F) and higher.

January, February, and March experience peak rainfall, transforming the pan into a lake. An abundance of grasses and wildflowers emerge from the dusty plains, and the calving season starts, bringing new life to the plains. From January, temperatures fall with each passing month and afternoon temperatures range from 34°C (93°F) to 35°C (95°F).

April experiences less rainfall and lower temperatures, ranging from 29°C (84°F) to 32°C (90°F). It is also a quieter month in the park, making April an excellent month to visit Etosha.

An elephant drinking at a shallow waterhole with zebras and two giraffes in the background.

The Dry Season: May to October

The dry season is the best time to visit Etosha National Park for wildlife viewing:

May, June, July and August are cool, dry and sunny, with temperatures ranging from 25°C (77°F) to 29°C (84°F). However, mornings are cold and wearing multiple thin layers is required to keep you warm during early morning game drives. August is the peak of the dry season, and temperatures begin to rise. Wildlife viewing is exceptional due to a high concentration of animals that never stray far from permanent water holes.

September and October are the final dramatic months of the dry season. The temperatures continue to rise each month, ranging from 32°C (90°F) to 34°C (93°F), causing the water holes to begin to dry out. Wildlife viewing is fantastic, and towards the end of October, occasional afternoon thunderstorms hint at what’s to come.

Since the dry season from May to October is the best time to visit Etosha for a safari, the most popular accommodations fill up quickly. We recommend booking one year in advance.

Two of our favourite tours with a stop in Etosha:

Planning your visit and getting to Etosha National Park

By now, you’ll have a good idea of when to go to Etosha National Park. There are multiple places to stay in Etosha, including various lodges, permanent tented camps, campsites, and luxury accommodation. However, the demand for accommodation can outweigh the supply during the dry season (high season), so advanced booking is recommended. Our country experts can help you choose accommodation that is best for your budget and preferences.

A herd of zebras stands on stony ground and a self-drive vehicle is parked right next to it.

Getting to Etosha National Park is straightforward. Catch a connecting flight from South Africa’s International Airports to Namibia’s Hosea Kutako International Airport (HKIA/WDH) or Walvis Bay International Airport (WVB). Once in Namibia, you can get to Etosha National Park by choosing a self-drive, private-guided, or group-guided safari. Driving distances are long, but you’ll be accompanied by incredible scenery.

A safari vehicle is parked next to an Acacia tree with the Etosha Pan in the background.

Before booking, we recommend reading our What to Do guide to add unique experiences to your safari, such as star-gazing, trekking or enjoying a hot-air balloon safari over Namibia’s famous dunes.

Preparing for your trip to Etosha National Park can be daunting, but when you book with us, we’ll email you a packing list and other guides to help you prepare for your safari. We’ll be there for you every step of the way.

Onguma Bush Camp safari vehicle stands in front of a single giraffe,
Photo: Onguma Bush Camp

Where to stay in and around Etosha National Park

There are camps inside and just outside the Etosha National Park. The number of camps inside the park is limited. The ones available are quite basic and you shouldn’t expect a very high standard. The reason why some visitors still opt for the more basic accommodations: they have flood-lit waterholes. These waterholes attract wildlife especially during the dry season. You can sit near these waterholes until late into the evening to observe wildlife passing by for a drink.

On the outskirts of the national park, there are numerous different camps and lodges you can choose from. These accommodations range from basic to highly luxurious. They are often more charming than the accommodations inside the park. 

Since the most popular camps are booked up quickly, we recommend booking a year in advance. Especially, if you want to travel during the high season.

The terrace of Onguma Bush Camp with a view of the waterhole
Photo: Onguma Bush Camp

Combining Etosha with other destinations

You can combine a safari to Etosha National Park with numerous incredible destinations in northern Namibia. You’ll find the Damaraland, where stunning scenery and desert-dwelling wildlife can be seen west of Etosha. Those set on seeing buffalo, the missing member of the Big Five, and more incredible wildlife can travel to northeast Namibia to visit the beautiful parks in the Caprivi Strip (Zambezi Region).

In the south, you can visit the Fish River Canyon, the Kalahari Desert, and Sossusvlei in the Namib Desert, home to Namibia’s world-renowned dunes.    

Along the Atlantic coastline, you can visit Swakopmund to see small desert-adapted wildlife, and Luderitz offers the chance to see Atlantic Ocean wildlife and spot wild horses. 

The best time to visit Etosha coincides with the ideal traveling time for other highlights in Namibia. This makes the dry season from May to October the most popular time to see Namibia’s wildlife, scenic and cultural highlights.

The best time to visit Etosha: Conclusion

Etosha National Park is an exceptional destination for observing wildlife in a stunning ecosystem. As a result, safaris to Etosha are worth your while year-round. Still, the best time to visit Etosha is during the dry season from May to October to see abundant wildlife. Since it is the high season, booking accommodation as early as possible is recommended. Alternatively, you can travel during the wet season to witness grasslands teeming with wildflowers, the calving season, and the pan transformed into a lake. Finally, consider combining other incredible destinations to discover more of what Namibia offers.

A cheetah stands on a fallen Mopani tree and looks into the distance, the leaves are green and orange.

With a team of guides, vehicles, and twenty years of experience, we can make your dream safari to Etosha a reality. We suggest reading what other guests say and then contacting one of our country experts for a no-obligation conversation to take the first step in making your safari a reality.