Summer
Dec → Feb31 to 32°
nights 14 to 17°
- 1 rainy days · 3 mm
- 12.8 h of sun
When is the best time to visit Namibia?
In short: May to October, during the dry southern winter, for safaris in Etosha and the dunes of Sossusvlei under crystal-clear skies. From July to September, animals gather most at Etosha's waterholes, while May and June are the best compromise between mild days (26 °C in June at Sossusvlei) and smaller crowds.
- Safari in Etosha: From May to October, water becomes scarce and animals gather around the waterholes; from July to September, wildlife viewing is at its peak.
- The Namib dunes: From May to September, more bearable days (26 °C in June and July at Sossusvlei), but nights that can freeze in the desert.
- The green season in Etosha: From November to April, the rains turn the park green, the young of the grazing animals are born and migratory birds arrive.
- Starry skies: All year round: clear skies, clean air and a very sparsely populated country make Namibia one of the best destinations for stargazing.
- The Atlantic coast: All year round, the cold current keeps the coast cool and dry, with frequent morning fog that lifts by mid-morning.
Best avoided: January to March: intense heat (32 °C at Sossusvlei in February and March) and the heaviest rain in the north, which scatters Etosha's animals and can cut off tracks.
Sources: visitnamibia.com.na, safaribookings.com
- Jan31°not recommended
- Feb32°not recommended
- Mar32°not recommended
- Apr32°fair
- May30°recommended
- Jun26°recommended
- Jul26°recommended
- Aug27°recommended
- Sep29°recommended
- Oct31°recommended
- Nov31°fair
- Dec31°fair
RecommendedFairNot recommended· afternoon temperature
The weather in Namibia, month by month
The table of records, month by month
| Month | High | Low | Sunshine | Rainfall | Rainy days | Best |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 31° | 17° | 12.8 h | 6 mm | 1 d | |
| February | 32° | 17° | 12.3 h | 4 mm | 1 d | |
| March | 32° | 17° | 11.9 h | 1 mm | 1 d | |
| April | 32° | 17° | 11.2 h | 0 mm | 0 d | |
| May | 30° | 15° | 10.2 h | 0 mm | 0 d | ✓ |
| June | 26° | 12° | 9.9 h | 2 mm | 1 d | ✓ |
| July | 26° | 11° | 10 h | 1 mm | 0 d | ✓ |
| August | 27° | 10° | 10.8 h | 0 mm | 0 d | ✓ |
| September | 29° | 12° | 11.6 h | 1 mm | 0 d | ✓ |
| October | 31° | 14° | 12.1 h | 0 mm | 0 d | ✓ |
| November | 31° | 15° | 12.7 h | 1 mm | 0 d | |
| December | 31° | 14° | 13.2 h | 0 mm | 0 d |
The four seasons in Namibia, in figures
What the 2015-2024 records (Sossusvlei) show, season by season, to compare at a glance instead of reading twelve rows of a table.
Autumn
Mar → May30 to 32°
nights 15 to 17°
- 0 rainy days · 0 mm
- 11.1 h of sun
Winter
Jun → Aug26 to 27°
nights 10 to 12°
- 0 rainy days · 1 mm
- 10.2 h of sun
Spring
Sep → Nov29 to 31°
nights 12 to 15°
- 0 rainy days · 1 mm
- 12.1 h of sun
Book early for May to October
The timing is right, so it is right for everyone: in these months the best places to stay and the small-group tours go first. Here is where to start.
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Daylight in Namibia, month by month
The time between sunrise and sunset, from shortest to longest. Not to be confused with the sunshine hours in the table above, which count clear skies. In December there are 13h40 of daylight, in June 10h37, a difference of 3h03.
13h31Jan
12h58Feb
12h18Mar
11h32Apr
10h56May
10h37Jun
10h44Jul
11h16Aug
11h59Sep
12h43Oct
13h21Nov
13h40Dec
Calculated for the latitude of the reference point "Sossusvlei" (-24.73°). Values on the 15th of each month, local solar time.
What to do in Namibia, month by month
EventsWindhoek KarnevalAprilWildlife at the waterholesJune to OctoberHerero DayAugustWindhoek OktoberfestOctoberDetails ↓
favourablewith compromisesunfavourable
- Hiking: June, July, August, September
- Towns & culture: January, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December
Grid derived from the records (temperature, rainfall), not from an opinion.
What's on in Namibia, month by month?
What comes back every year, and when. One of these events fills the hotels and pushes prices up: something to aim for or to avoid, depending on what you want.
- AprilWindhoek Karneval
True to its German heritage, the capital brings out its costume balls and its parade for about ten days.
- June to OctoberWildlife at the waterholes big crowds
In the dry season, animals gather at the few waterholes and become much easier to spot.
- AugustHerero Day
In Okahandja, the Herero community parades in Victorian dresses to the graves of its chiefs, at the end of August.
- OctoberWindhoek Oktoberfest
Bavarian brass bands, beer brewed on site and communal tables in the capital, at the end of October.
Travelling off-peak
When to visit Namibia, region by region
A country's best time is an average, and it hides big differences. Here is what the records say for each area, month by month: ✓ for a recommended month, ~ for a fair one, a dot for a month to avoid. Hover over a cell for the temperature.
| Area | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🇳🇦 Etosha National Park | · | · | · | ~ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ~ | · |
| 🇳🇦 Sossusvlei | · | · | · | ~ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ~ | · | · |
Month by month, in detail
January
Not recommended31°17° at night
- 6 mm · 1 d
- 12.8 h
Low season, lower prices
February
Not recommended32°17° at night
- 4 mm · 1 d
- 12.3 h
Low season, lower prices
March
Not recommended32°17° at night
- 1 mm · 1 d
- 11.9 h
Low season, lower prices
April
Fair32°17° at night
- 0 mm · 0 d
- 11.2 h
Low season, lower prices
May
Recommended30°15° at night
- 0 mm · 0 d
- 10.2 h
Busy, without the crush
June
Recommended26°12° at night
- 2 mm · 1 d
- 9.9 h
High season, book early
July
Recommended26°11° at night
- 1 mm · 0 d
- 10 h
High season, book early
August
Recommended27°10° at night
- 0 mm · 0 d
- 10.8 h
High season, book early
September
Recommended29°12° at night
- 1 mm · 0 d
- 11.6 h
High season, book early
October
Recommended31°14° at night
- 0 mm · 0 d
- 12.1 h
High season, book early
November
Fair31°15° at night
- 1 mm · 0 d
- 12.7 h
Low season, lower prices
December
Fair31°14° at night
- 0 mm · 0 d
- 13.2 h
Quiet, then the holidays
Read the twelve months in detail
January. 31 °C in the afternoon and 17 °C at night. Hardly any rain (6 mm over 1 day). Plenty of sunshine: 12.8 h a day on average. Low season: fewer people, lower prices.
February. Real heat: 32 °C at the warmest of the day, 17 °C at night. Hardly any rain (4 mm over 1 day). Plenty of sunshine: 12.3 h a day on average. Low season: fewer people, lower prices.
March. Real heat: 32 °C at the warmest of the day, 17 °C at night. Hardly any rain (1 mm over 1 day). Plenty of sunshine: 11.9 h a day on average. Low season: fewer people, lower prices.
April. Real heat: 32 °C at the warmest of the day, 17 °C at night. Hardly any rain (0 mm over 0 days). Plenty of sunshine: 11.2 h a day on average. Low season: fewer people, lower prices.
May. 30 °C in the afternoon and 15 °C at night. Hardly any rain (0 mm over 0 days). Plenty of sunshine: 10.2 h a day on average. Busy season, without the crush.
June. 26 °C in the afternoon and 12 °C at night. Hardly any rain (2 mm over 1 day). Plenty of sunshine: 9.9 h a day on average. High season: book early.
July. 26 °C in the afternoon and 11 °C at night. Hardly any rain (1 mm over 0 days). Plenty of sunshine: 10 h a day on average. High season: book early.
August. 27 °C in the afternoon and 10 °C at night. Hardly any rain (0 mm over 0 days). Plenty of sunshine: 10.8 h a day on average. High season: book early.
September. 29 °C in the afternoon and 12 °C at night. Hardly any rain (1 mm over 0 days). Plenty of sunshine: 11.6 h a day on average. High season: book early.
October. 31 °C in the afternoon and 14 °C at night. Hardly any rain (0 mm over 0 days). Plenty of sunshine: 12.1 h a day on average. High season: book early.
November. 31 °C in the afternoon and 15 °C at night. Hardly any rain (1 mm over 0 days). Plenty of sunshine: 12.7 h a day on average. Low season: fewer people, lower prices.
December. 31 °C in the afternoon and 14 °C at night. Hardly any rain (0 mm over 0 days). Plenty of sunshine: 13.2 h a day on average. Quiet at the start of the month, then busier as the holidays approach.
Same season, other ideas
Their best time overlaps with this one: worth comparing before you book.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to visit Namibia?
May to October, during the dry southern winter, for safaris in Etosha and the dunes of Sossusvlei under crystal-clear skies. From July to September, animals gather most at Etosha's waterholes, while May and June are the best compromise between mild days (26 °C in June at Sossusvlei) and smaller crowds.
Which month should you avoid in Namibia?
January to March: intense heat (32 °C at Sossusvlei in February and March) and the heaviest rain in the north, which scatters Etosha's animals and can cut off tracks.
What is the hottest month in Namibia?
February, with 32 °C on average in the afternoon and 17 °C at night. 2015-2024 records (Sossusvlei).
What is the coldest month in Namibia?
June, with 26 °C at best during the day and 12 °C at night. 2015-2024 records (Sossusvlei).
What is the driest month in Namibia?
April: 0 mm over 0 days of rain, against 6 mm in January, the wettest month.
Which month has the most sunshine in Namibia?
December, with 13.2 h of sunshine a day on average. Note that this counts clear skies, not the length of the day.
Does it get cold at night in Namibia?
The gap between day and night reaches 17 °C in August: 27 °C in the afternoon, 10 °C at dawn. Pack an extra layer, even in high season.
When is the best time to hike in Namibia?
June, July, August, September: highs between 12 and 29 °C and no more than 9 days of rain a month according to 2015-2024 records (Sossusvlei), the safest windows for walking.
Plan this trip
📒 The free printable Namibia guide: itinerary, map, where to sleep→
🗓️ Best time to visit: all our destinations→
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Photos: Dick Hoskins / Pexels · Hub JACQU / Pexels · Mark de Jong / Pexels · Mégane SSu / Pexels · Herve Meftah / Pexels · Martine Mars / Pexels · Bruno Almeida / Pexels · Dorota Semla / Pexels