Namibia: When to Go

The dry winter season (May to October) is the most pleasant time to visit Namibia. During this period you can expect warm, sunny days and cold nights, often with temperatures falling below freezing. It's best to avoid Namib-Naukluft Park and Etosha National Park in the extreme heat (December to March), and Fish River Canyon is closed to the public between December and April. The northeastern rivers may flood during this time too, making some roads either impassable or hard to negotiate. Resort areas are busiest during both Namibian and South African school holidays - usually from mid-December to mid-January, late-April to early June, and late-August to mid-September.

Weather

Although it's predominantly desert, Namibia enjoys regional climatic variations. The whole country sees a minimum of 300 days of sunshine each year, but temperatures and rainfall vary considerably both seasonally and geographically. The most arid climate is found in the centre of the Namib Desert, where summer daytime temperatures climb to over 40°C (105°F) and can fall to below freezing at night. Daytime temperatures in the mountainous and semi-arid Central Plateau (including Windhoek) are generally lower than in the rest of the country. Fog is common on the coast.

December is the hottest month everywhere, bringing average temperatures of 30°C (86°F). There are two rainy seasons: the 'little rains' from October to December, and the main rainy period from January to April. The latter is characterised by brief showers and occasional thunderstorms that clear the air. Low-lying areas in the eastern part of the country are generally much hotter than the Central Plateau and, except for Kavango and Caprivi in the northeast, receive little rain.