With its famously dry skies, Namibia is an excellent vacation spot at any time of 12 months. The climate is sort of all the time good – the nation’s sunshine and cloudless blue skies are even highlighted on the nationwide flag – and most sights are accessible year-round.
Nonetheless, relying in your pursuits, it’s price placing some thought into the timing of your journey. Mountaineering is greatest reserved for the cooler winter months, which coincide with the northern hemisphere summer season, avoiding {the summertime} warmth. No matter attracts you to Namibia, listed below are the very best occasions to go to.
Within the excessive season (June–October) animals will be noticed in abundance
The hallmarks of Namibia’s dry winter months are cloudless daytime skies and chilly nights and the possibility of rain is sort of zero. Inland from the coast, daytime temperatures common between 19ºC and 24ºC (66ºF to 75ºF). Within the peak of winter, from June to August, nighttime temperatures within the desert and at altitude usually sit under 10ºC (50ºF) and generally drop under freezing.
Because the excessive season can be the dry season, foliage is much less dense, and animals congregate round scarce water sources, making this the very best time of 12 months for wildlife watching. Accordingly, safari camps replenish in Etosha Nationwide Park. Over on the coast, the shoreline is commonly blanketed by a thick morning fog, which usually burns off earlier than noon.
April, Could and November are shoulder season months, with decrease costs and smaller crowds
April and Could are pretty occasions to be in Namibia, and the air is exceptionally clear. A lot of Namibia is roofed in shades of vivid inexperienced, and the rains have washed away the late dry-season mud. Daytime temperatures vary from 24ºC to 28ºC (75ºF to 82ºF), and other than the Easter holidays, safari camps are usually not full.
In November, daytime temperatures can go 30ºC (86ºF) because the land eagerly awaits the rains. Wildlife watching is nice, with out the crowds of July and August, and lodges and camps in nationwide parks and personal reserves could provide discounted charges. Birding can be rewarding, with a mess of migrant species.
The low-season summer season months (December–March) carry rain and excessive temperatures
Though the summer season months are the wettest time of the 12 months in Namibia, downpours are largely restricted to late afternoons and evenings. Gravel roads, particularly within the far north and within the Zambezi area, can grow to be troublesome to traverse, however in any other case, the rain doesn’t often intervene with journey.
In Etosha Nationwide Park, wildlife is broadly dispersed and will be troublesome to identify within the moist season. Temperatures are excessive countrywide, however particularly in Namibia’s far south. Within the Fish River Canyon, the mercury can soar to above 40ºC (104ºF), and the multi-day climbing path is closed to hikers.
Alongside the coast, situations are nice. Sea breezes carry refreshing reduction from the inland warmth, and it’s not as foggy as within the winter months. With the rains comes wonderful birding all through the nation. In the course of the December and January faculty holidays, lodging alongside the central coast and in Etosha replenish, and advance reserving is really useful.
January is busy with vacationers
January is vacation time for Namibians. Lodging in Swakopmund replenish through the first half of the month, nevertheless it’s nonetheless a nice time to discover the coast. Elsewhere, rains carry some reduction from the warmth, and birding is at its greatest.
Key occasions: New Yr’s Day
February is inexperienced and good for birding
February is wet and inexperienced, particularly within the north. Though wildlife watching is unreliable, low-season lodging charges and barely discounted automobile rental costs could make February a nice month to go to. It is a good time for birders; flamingos collect in abundance in Etosha Nationwide Park to breed. Close to the southern city of Maltahöhe, hundreds of white and pink lilies bloom in February or early March, following the heavy rains.
Key occasions: Flamingo breeding season
March marks the tip of the rains
By March, the rains have resulted in most components of the nation. Skies clear up, and landscapes are inexperienced and vibrant. On March 21, Namibia celebrates its independence from South Africa; the festivities in Windhoek are particularly spectacular.
Key occasions: Independence Day
April is nice for occasions and stargazing
April is a pleasant month in Namibia, with clear, dust-free skies. With the departure of migrant birds, April is an effective time for attempting to identify Namibia’s endemic species, and the air is exceptionally clear. Stargazing round Windhoek and in highland areas is fantastic, and the calendar is busy with occasions.
Key occasions: Financial institution Windhoek Triennial Artwork Exhibition (organized with the National Art Gallery of Namibia), Windhoek Karneval, African Mountain Bike Championships (organized by the Namibian Cycling Federation)
Could sees animals come out into the open
The perfect journey situations proceed in Could. Towards the tip of the month, the countryside begins to dry out and animals start shifting towards water sources, making late Could a very good time for wildlife watching. On Could 4, Cassinga Day commemorates the Namibians who had been killed within the 1978 Cassinga bloodbath.
Key occasions: Cassinga Day, Africa Day
June is peak time for wildlife watching
June marks the beginning of the wildlife watching season. June’s reasonable daytime temperatures additionally make this an excellent month for visiting the desert landscapes of Namib-Naukluft Park and different locations in southern Namibia.
Key occasions: Swakopmund Karneval (Küska)
July sees the largest crowds
July is Namibia’s peak journey month. Comparatively temporary sandstorms can happen alongside the coast, however climate situations are good total. Temperatures are perfect for trying to scale a few of the huge sand dunes in Namib-Naukluft Park. With cooler temperatures, July can be the most effective months for climbing within the Fish River Canyon.
Key occasions: Fish River Canyon Extremely Marathon
August sees celebrations of Namibian nationwide identification
The high-season journey month of August is marked by heat and generally windy days, chilly nights and dust-filled skies, however wildlife watching stays wonderful. Namibian Heroes Day on 26 August commemorates the beginning of the nation’s warfare of independence, which started in Omugulugwombashe village in northern Namibia. Late August brings a significant gathering of the Pink Flag Herero individuals, who come collectively to commemorate their slain chiefs in Otjiwarongo, about 250km (155 miles) north of Windhoek.
Key occasions: Namibian Heroes Day, KinoNamibia Film Festival, Pink Flag Herero Day
September is a time for birding, singing and dancing
September brings migratory birds to Namibia, particularly raptors. Temperatures are hotter, and wildlife watching and birding are each rewarding. The Lusata Cultural Festival of the Mafwe individuals takes place within the Zambezi area close to Katima Mulilo, drawing individuals from Namibia, Botswana and Zambia for spirited singing and dancing.
Key occasions: Mafwe Lusata Cultural Pageant
October sees smaller crowds however numerous occasions
October’s highlights are blooming jacaranda timber and streets adorned with lavender-hued carpets of fallen blossoms. The jacaranda timber are particularly pretty in Windhoek and the northern city of Tsumeb. All through the nation, temperatures are heat however not searing, and crowds are minimal.
The /Ae //Gams Arts and Cultural Festival involves Windhoek (although it generally takes place at different occasions of 12 months), with dancing and musical performances. In Omaruru in central Namibia, the White Flag Herero individuals commemorate their slain chiefs. The most effective locations to have a good time Oktoberfest are Windhoek and Swakopmund.
Key occasions: Oktoberfest, White Flag Herero Day in Omaruru, /Ae //Gams Arts and Cultural Pageant
November is a quieter time for wildlife watching
November is a nice time for wildlife watching and birding, with the heavy rains but to reach and a full complement of migratory birds. Excessive-season crowds at Etosha Nationwide Park have diminished, and animals will be simply noticed round water holes.
Key occasions: Namib Desert Extremely Marathon
December sees vacation crowds
Namibia’s summer season trip season begins in December, centered on the annual faculty Christmas holidays. Windhoek empties out, Etosha and the central coast replenish, and Namibians get pleasure from braais (barbecues), time on the farm and leisure.
Temperatures are excessive inland however comfy on the coast, and the rains are usually not too heavy. As long as you e-book forward for lodging in fashionable areas, December generally is a pleasant time to journey in Namibia.
Key occasions: Desert Dash Bicycle Race, Jetty Mile Ocean Swim
