Best time to visit Namibia – When is the best time to visit Namibia? – Dry or wet Season?
Best time to visit Namibia – The dramatic dunes at Sossusvlei can be visited at any time of year but the dry May to October winter months are widely regarded as the best time to visit Namibia for game viewing – especially in Etosha National Park. The skies are clear, the risk of malaria is at its lowest, and animals are increasingly concentrated around water sources as the dry season wears on. Prepare however for freezing nighttime temperatures in June and July whereas September and October can be extremely hot.
The summer rains between November and April turn the country green and occasionally bring floods to the desert. December can see very rewarding game viewing in Etosha National Park and summer is the best time to go to Namibia for bird watching though you’ll need to watch out for malaria in the Caprivi Strip (newly renamed the Zambezi Region), Namibia’s wettest region and a place best avoided in the peak wet months of January and February.
The Northern Hemisphere summer is warm and sunny, albeit with cold nights, while during the winter Namibia is hot with the chance of spectacular thunderstorms. However, it’s a predominantly dry country, where deep orange dunes contrast with cobalt skies.
As a significant proportion of the country’s land is blanketed by the Namib Desert, Namibia is a predominantly dry, sub-tropical destination that is bathed in glorious sunshine for much of the year. Temperatures can experience huge variations, from day to night and summer to winter, and there are more popular times to visit based on weather and wildlife viewing. The average daily temperature is 25 degrees C but this dips to a much lower level overnight.
The main part to think about is the weather and you can see from the chart below that there are quite big variations depending on where you are heading, and even from day tonight.
- December to March
This is Namibia’s wet season, and during this time you may experience heavy and prolonged downpours. On a typical day, blue skies will reign until afternoon clouds form, bringing rain with them before clearing again by early evening. The game also moves into the bush at the beginning of this period, where the more luscious vegetation hides them.
- April to June
These can be great months to visit, as the country emerges from the wet season and becomes increasingly arid, with a crispness in the air and landscapes with more greenery as a result of the rains. The air also has lower dust content, making it more pleasant. Prices may also be lower as it is a shoulder period outside of the peak time to travel.
- July to November
The latter part of the dry season, is the most popular time to visit Namibia as the country cools down and dries out. It is also the best time to see the big game as the animals congregate at watering holes. November can be variable, however, and you may still experience the hot, dry weather but it can also be cloudy and mark an early start to the rainy season. Birders will enjoy the latter months, as migrant bird species arrive, anticipating the onset of the rains.
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