The Best Time to Visit Namibia

Green Season in Namibia: January through March

Why Visit Namibia in the Green Season?

During January through March, Namibia is in its summer—which is also its wet season. Rains bring lush vegetation, dust-free skies (when it’s not showering), and lots of baby wildlife being born. We love visiting Namibia during this green season because it’s quieter, with fewer travelers in the already unspoilt landscape.

Why Visit Namibia in January?

January is summer’s peak in Southern Hemisphere Namibia, so visiting during this time means higher temperatures (low 70s to mid 80s), and afternoon showers, which is a small price to pay for the highlights it affords: fewer crowds, prime birdwatching, and the deep hues of the Namib Desert contrasted against lush greenery.

Why Visit Namibia in February?

Similar to January, this month’s higher heat, humidity, and chance of rain can often feel like a blessing in disguise, with clear, dust-free air and warm morning game drives. While the lush landscape means wildlife may be harder to spot, February is when newborn animals arrive in force, offering special game-viewing opportunities. Prime birdwatching continues: grab your binoculars to spot up to 450 species, including the thousands of flamingos that descend upon Swakopmund.

Why Visit Namibia in March?

March offers ideal shoulder season weather. You’ll find cooler air yet pleasant desert mornings and comfortable coastal afternoons, and the chance to see spectacular thunderstorms. It’s an especially ideal time to visit Namibia’s iconic Skeleton Coast, when light rains help clear the morning fog that often blankets the coast, offering up incredible views.

What to Expect on Our Green Season Trips

Join our two-week Green Season Safari—a great value at over $1,500 less per person than for a similar peak-season safari—to explore every corner of this otherworldly destination. And our Private Safari offers you the chance to experience this magnificent country in a more personal way.

DRY Season in Namibia: April through October

Why Visit Namibia in the Dry Season?

During Namibia’s “winter” months, the green season’s rain ends and Namibia’s dry season begins. The country’s dry season, which runs from April to October, is the most popular time to visit Namibia for safari. Wildlife gathers around watering holes for excellent sightings (and action!), and the weather tends to be mild and comfortable with daytime highs in the 70sF.

Why Visit Namibia in April?

April ushers in the end of the rainy season in Namibia, when the game lands are lush, days are crisp and clear, and temperatures hover in the 70sF and low 80sF. Considered a shoulder month, April is when the conditions are pleasant but peak season has yet to begin, making it an excellent time to visit.

Why Visit Namibia in May?

May is a perfect time to visit Namibia. The official start to winter means less humidity and cooler temperatures, with days in the low 70s and nights in the 50s. Plus, as vegetation dwindles, Namibia’s wildlife, from desert-adapted elephants to black rhino, become more concentrated around watering holes so it feels like you’re experiencing more sightings.

Why Visit Namibia in June?

As Namibia enters peak wintertime, mornings and nights become chillier—ranging from the high 40sF to the low 70sF. And drier conditions make for excellent game-viewing, especially in the wildlife epicenter of Etosha National Park, one of Namibia’s best national parks. The dwindling water sources make it easier to track Namibia’s big predators, from lions in the remote wilds of Kaokoland to black rhino in dramatic Damaraland. June is also still relatively quiet compared to the most popular months of July and August.

Why Visit Namibia in July?

This is the coolest and driest time of the year, which, for Namibia’s wildlife, means journeying to find dwindling water sources. Visiting Namibia in July is filled with scenes straight out of a Disney movie—wildebeest, giraffes, elephants, and more congregating at the same watering hole. Be sure to pack layers: nights can dip to the low 40s, while days average the low 70s.

Why Visit Namibia in August?

Similar to July, this is an ideal time to explore much of Namibia, especially the country’s greatest wildlife source, Etosha National Park, and the magnificent Sossusvlei Dunes. The cool temperatures make it an ideal time to hike the Tok Tokkie Trail across the Namib Desert and to sleep beneath the stars, one of our favorite things to do in Namibia—you can experience this on our Namibia Expedition. While this is the busiest time of the year, our special access to private concessions and reserves means you’ll be far from the crowds.

Why Visit Namibia in September?

Considered one of the most pleasant times of year to visit Namibia thanks to spring-like conditions, September is when temperatures start to rise but the rain remains at bay. The months without rainfall have left the landscape parched, leading to prey and predator meetings at the few remaining water sources.

Why Visit Namibia in October?

The end of winter means fewer crowds, though months of little rainfall can often result in dusty conditions and occasional sandstorms, which are easy enough to avoid with the right guides. The country’s capital, Windhoek, once a German colony, hosts a lively Oktoberfest celebration.

What to Expect on Our Dry Season Trips

Our classic Namibia Expedition runs from April through October, and takes full advantage of the country’s peak season, from tracking rhino on foot in Damaraland to sleeping beneath the stars in Africa’s first Dark Sky Reserve. Our Namibia and Botswana safari journey runs in May and June and brings you to Namibian highlights like Etosha National Park along with sections of Botswana and Zimbabwe. Our Namibian Private Safari is available any month.

Our world-class conservation itinerary, In the Realm of the Desert Lion, is only offered once a year (in June) and gives travelers a behind-the-scenes look at the country’s efforts to protect this special predator. And our Namibia Giraffe Conservation Safari runs once yearly in August, where you’ll have the opportunity to work alongside a leading research team to track and tag giraffes in the wild.

Off Season in Namibia: November & December

Why Visit Namibia in the Off Season?

November and December are Namibia’s quietest months for tourism. November is when the green season officially starts, ushering in the rains and hotter, more humid days. While we don’t run any group trips during these months, our private journeys are always available.

Why Visit Namibia in November?

It can be difficult to predict weather conditions in November, with much year-to-year variation. Some years the temperatures reach the high 80s with little rainfall, and other years the green season gets off to a strong start in November—the first thunderstorm of the year is always a celebration! Plus, November is the start of prime bird-watching season.

Why Visit Namibia in December?

Summer is usually in full swing by December, with warmer and more humid days, and nights that are either crisp and clear from an afternoon rainstorm or cloudy in preparation for rain the next day. The influx of migratory birds, including an abundance of flamingos that coat lagoons in pink, makes for excellent bird-watching.

What to Expect on Our Off Season Trips

We continue to host adventurers on our Namibia Private Journey throughout November and December, which we can customize according to weather conditions. Expect warmer, wetter conditions during these months, but with the bonus of fewer crowds.