Namibia weather and best time to visit
The best time to visit Namibia for wildlife is the dry season, from about May to September. Water is scarce, so animals gather at the waterholes in Etosha and are easy to see, days are warm rather than hot and nights are cold. The rainy months, from about November to March, bring green landscapes, fewer visitors and harder wildlife viewing. The coast is cool all year, and the desert is dry in every month.
Namibia weather by month
| Month | Windhoek | Sossusvlei | Swakopmund | Etosha |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 31 / 17 | 30 / 16 | 22 / 16 | 33 / 19 |
| February | 29 / 17 | 29 / 16 | 23 / 16 | 31 / 19 |
| March | 28 / 15 | 29 / 15 | 22 / 16 | 30 / 18 |
| April | 26 / 13 | 27 / 13 | 21 / 14 | 31 / 15 |
| May | 23 / 10 | 25 / 10 | 21 / 12 | 28 / 10 |
| June | 21 / 7 | 23 / 8 | 20 / 11 | 26 / 7 |
| July | 21 / 6 | 23 / 7 | 20 / 10 | 26 / 6 |
| August | 24 / 9 | 23 / 8 | 18 / 10 | 29 / 9 |
| September | 29 / 13 | 25 / 9 | 18 / 11 | 33 / 13 |
| October | 30 / 15 | 26 / 11 | 19 / 12 | 35 / 17 |
| November | 31 / 16 | 28 / 12 | 20 / 14 | 34 / 18 |
| December | 31 / 17 | 29 / 14 | 22 / 15 | 35 / 18 |
| Month | Windhoek | Sossusvlei | Swakopmund | Etosha |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 91 | 9 | 2 | 95 |
| February | 96 | 11 | 3 | 113 |
| March | 79 | 15 | 6 | 79 |
| April | 19 | 4 | 2 | 26 |
| May | 3 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
| June | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| July | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| August | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| September | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| October | 11 | 0 | 0 | 8 |
| November | 27 | 1 | 1 | 43 |
| December | 47 | 0 | 1 | 56 |
Sources: Windhoek from the climate table published on Wikipedia. Sossusvlei, Swakopmund and Etosha from Weather2Travel, processed from CRU (University of East Anglia), the Met Office and the Netherlands Meteorological Institute. These are long-term averages, not forecasts. For the next few days, use the live forecast above.
How the seasons work
Dry season, about May to September. This is winter in Namibia. Almost no rain falls. Days are warm, around 21 to 26°C in Windhoek, Sossusvlei and Etosha in June and July. Nights are cold, down to about 6 to 8°C, and early game drives need a jacket. Skies are clear. Vegetation thins out and animals gather at waterholes.
Hot, dry months, September to October. Rain has not started and temperatures climb. Etosha reaches about 33°C in September and 35°C in October. Waterhole viewing stays good, but the middle of the day is hot.
Rainy season, about November to March. Rain falls mainly inland, and the wettest months are January to March. Etosha receives 79 to 113 millimetres a month in that period, Windhoek 79 to 96. Rain often arrives as short, heavy storms. The landscape turns green, animals spread out, and birdlife is plentiful. The Etosha Pan fills with water only briefly, which attracts pelicans and flamingos.
Between seasons, April. Rain tails off. Etosha has 26 millimetres and Windhoek 19. Temperatures ease, and the land is still green.
The coast and the Namib Desert do not follow this pattern. Swakopmund gets about 16 to 21 millimetres of rain a whole year, and Sossusvlei under 45. What changes is the temperature, and the fog at the coast.
Best time to visit for what you want
- Wildlife at Etosha. May to September. Waterholes are the main places to see animals, and the dry season brings them in. October is also dry, but very hot.
- Comfortable temperatures. May to August for the interior, though nights are cold. Swakopmund is mild in every month.
- Dunes and photography. All year. Winter has the coolest, most comfortable mornings. Summer mornings are warm, and the midday heat is strong.
- Green landscapes and fewer visitors. January to March, with the trade-off of rain and harder wildlife viewing.
- Birdwatching. The rainy season, when the Etosha Pan can attract flamingos and pelicans.
- Coast and boat trips. Any month. Expect fog in the morning and a cool breeze.
Best time for our 10 day tour
The tour runs all year. Our high season is July to October, which covers the best dry-season wildlife viewing and also the hottest weeks of Etosha. Our low season is November to June. Prices differ between the two, and your quote shows the rate for your dates. If you can choose, May, June and July give a good balance of dry weather, active animals and moderate heat.
What to pack
- June to August: a warm jacket or fleece, a windproof layer, a hat and sun cream. Dawn is cold in Etosha, Sossusvlei and Windhoek.
- September to December: light clothing, a hat, sun cream and plenty of water. A light layer for evenings.
- January to March: light clothing, a rain jacket and closed shoes that can get wet.
- Any time: a warm layer for Swakopmund and the boat, binoculars, and closed shoes for the dunes.
For more practical tips, see our travel information.
Namibia weather questions
What is the rainy season in Namibia?
Roughly November to March inland, with the wettest months January to March. The coast and desert stay very dry.
Is it cold in Namibia?
Not in the day for most of the year, but winter nights (June to August) in Windhoek, Sossusvlei and Etosha fall to about 6 to 10°C.
Is Etosha hot?
Yes, in the hot months. Average highs reach 35°C in October and December, and 34°C in November.
Is it always dry in the desert?
Almost. Sossusvlei gets very little rain in any month, and the coast has fog more often than rain.
When is the cheapest time to travel?
Our low season runs from November to June. Ask us for a quote for your dates.
Can I see wildlife in the rainy season?
Yes, but animals spread out because water is everywhere. It is harder than in the dry season.
Next step
Tell us when you'd like to travel, and we'll suggest the best route for that time of year.