When is the best time to travel to Namibia?

Being partially covered by the Namib Desert, one of the world’s driest deserts, Namibia’s climate is pleasant and dry all year round. With roughly 300 days of sun per year and different things to see and do depending on the season, there is no ‘wrong’ time to visit Namibia. While deciding when the best time to travel to Namibia is, you will want to look at the country’s climate.

While climate change is changing weather patterns all around the world and no generalisation of forecast will hold true all the time, there are still some predictions to be made. We put together a little guide for you to find out when the best time to travel to Namibia is, so you can start dreaming about your future adventures in this inspiring country.

High Season: July to October

The dry winter months are widely regarded as the best time to travel to Namibia for game viewing. Yet you have to be aware that as it is peak season, accommodation rates and visitor numbers will be higher.

Low Season: December to April

The wetter summer months are the best time to travel to Namibia for birding and to see newborn animals. As it is low season, rates and visitor numbers are lower during this time.

Shoulder Season: April/May and September/October

During shoulder season you might get the best of both worlds: Lower prices, moderate temperatures, little to no rainfall, green landscapes and plenty of animals.

Winter (Dry Season): May to October

The dry winter months from June to October are the best time to travel to Namibia for safaris. During the dry season, water sources are drying up and animals need to come to the remaining waterholes, making wildlife easier to spot. Especially Etosha and Sossusvlei get a lot of visitors during Namibian winter. Luckily, the country is vast. Some parks can, however, feel a bit crowded during high season.

Want to see some stunning night skies? Then this might be the best time to travel to Namibia. The skies are clear, there is basically no rain and it’s sunny. Furthermore, the risk of malaria is at its lowest during the dry season. Still, you will feel that it is winter in Namibia: It gets quite cold at night and in the mornings. Hence, it is advisable to pack some warm clothes for your early morning game drives when you travel to Namibia during June, July, and August. You should prepare for higher number of travellers at popular sights, and also consider that rates might be higher as it is peak season from July to October. Get in touch and we share with you some secret spots to enjoy during high season!

Summer (Wet Season): October to April

Summer in Namibia can get very hot, especially in the months from November to February. During the hot Namibian summer months, coastal towns like Swakopmund are popular destinations. Here you can cool off in the ocean and watch colonies of flamingos.

Wet season is not the best time to travel to Namibia for game viewing as animals now find water everywhere and scatter around the parks, making it more difficult to spot wildlife. This is the best time to travel to Namibia if you want to see the country’s scenery beautifully green and flowering. Namibia’s rains are mostly short, localised showers in the afternoon. Normally, the skies clear up immediately after.

Wet season is the best time to travel to Namibia to see new-born animals. It is also the best time to travel to Namibia to see birds. Migratory birds arrive with the rains, and you will see thousands of Blue Cranes and pink flamingos. Moreover, the rates during Namibian summer are lower and you will find fewer travellers in the country.

Our tip: The best time to travel to Namibia is during ‘shoulder season’

Our favourite time to travel to Namibia is the ‘shoulder season’. During April and May, when the summer temperatures are starting to cool down and the landscape is still green from the rain, you can experience Namibia’s marvel without crowds. Etosha is green and grassy, and you might still find wildflowers on the desert dunes. If you want to do the Fish River Canyon hike, this is the best time to go.

Similarly, in September and October, the nights are not too cold anymore and the rains haven’t arrived yet, making it the best time to explore Namibia’s desert landscapes. Additionally, it is so dry that game gathers around waterholes, making it easy to spot wildlife. The shoulder season in Namibia offers pleasant weather, fewer travellers and better prices.

If you want to make sure that you choose the best time to travel to Namibia, speak to us. We are here to help you with all the uncertainties you might have around your next trip and to ensure that it will be full of experiences that change the way you see the world.