When is the Best Time to Visit Namibia for Safaris & More?

The best time to visit Namibia is generally during the country’s dry winter season, which runs from May to September. This is when the days are warm, but not scorching hot.

As a largely desert-covered country, Namibia sees extreme climatic changes throughout the year. From over 100°F in summer, down to freezing at night time in winter, temperatures in Namibia can vary wildly!

This means that to understand more about the best time to travel to Namibia, you first need to understand the country’s weather patterns…

Namibia’s Climate & Seasons

While regional variations do occur, Namibia's climate can generally be divided into three main seasons.

The hot and dry season (the first part of the country’s summer) runs from October to December. During this time, temperatures can be scorchingly high!

Welwitschia Namibia travel

This hot and dry time of year is then followed by the hot and wet season (also known as the 'rainy season') which occurs from January to April. This is the second part of the country’s summer.

During this time, temperatures stay high across Namibia, with increasing humidity and some rainfall.

Best time to visit Namibia

Lastly, Namibia's dry, winter season runs from May to September, bringing with it cooler temperatures and a dry, less humid, climate.

Being such a vast country, you will however, experience different climates in different regions of Namibia, so it’s worth doing your research before travelling.

As a useful starting point, here’s our advice on the best times to visit this incredible country.

Overall Best Time to Visit Namibia

Overall, the best time to visit Namibia is from May to September - the country’s dry, winter season - when temperatures are more comfortable, the skies are blue and the chance of rain is low.

Namibia dune climb

The lower humidity during these months is also more pleasant, and the risk of malaria is at its lowest at this time too.

Starting off at the beginning of the dry winter season, there are definitely some benefits to a Namibia safari in May and June. These can be great months to visit, as the country emerges from the wet season, meaning a pleasant freshness and less dust in the air.

The country’s landscapes also look amazing, with much of the vegetation still lush and green, and prices may also be lower during these months.

Namibia safari rhino

Moving on, the dry winter months of July and August are a great time for wildlife viewing in Namibia, and happily coincide with the US school summer holidays, making the perfect time for a family trip!

However, bear in mind, that this is peak travel season in Namibia so you’ll need to plan your Namibia safari well in advance and should expect to pay a little more.

Also be aware that, while days are generally warm in July and August, nighttime temperatures can drop to below 50°F, and, in desert locations, it can even get down to freezing! As such, be sure to pack a thick sleeping bag if you’re camping on your Namibia safari. You'll also want to pack warm clothing for nighttime game viewing at Etosha's spotlit waterholes and for the evening and early morning game drives, which can be chilly in open vehicles. 

Elephants at waterhole in Etosha National Park

Later in the dry, winter season, September is also a nice time to visit Namibia because it’s generally not too cold at night. 

But trust us when we say you’ll want to pack a lip balm and lots of moisturizers at this time - deep into the dry season, there is very little humidity in the air, making for very dehydrated skin!

By October, the daytime temperatures are beginning to climb, regularly reaching 85°F and even hotter in the desert as summer commences. If you’re planning a family Namibia safari this may not be ideal!

Best Time for a Namibia Safari

Once again, the dry winter months from May to September are widely regarded as the best time for a Namibia safari, especially in Etosha National Park, the country’s most popular wildlife destination.

Etosha elephants

Because there’s little to no rain and the humidity and temperatures are lower at this time of year, the weather is ideal for pleasant game drives.

It’s also the best time of year for wildlife spotting because the continuing lack of rain causes many water sources to dry up across the parks and reserves. This then drives animals to converge in large numbers at the few remaining watering holes, increasing the concentration of wildlife in these places and heightening the chance of excellent safari experiences!

Indeed, it’s common at this time of year to see a big variety of wildlife – including elephant, zebra, giraffe, gazelle, and wildebeest – in large numbers, all drinking together.

Estosha wildlife safari in Namibia

The country’s game parks are quieter in May and the start of June, but can get busy in July and through September due to the school holidays. During these months, make sure to book well ahead!

One caveat here is if you’re more into birdwatching tours than game drives in Namibia.

If this is the case, the best time to travel to Namibia is during the rainy season - typically between January and April. This is when many migratory species visit the country, adding to the array of amazing birding opportunities.

Best Time to Combine Namibia with a Visit to Botswana or South Africa

While visiting Southern Africa, many travellers will combine a trip to Namibia with a visit to one of its beautiful neighbouring countries - likely Botswana or South Africa.

And why not!?

Namib Desert scene

When you’ve come all this way for an amazing adventure, it would be a shame to skip over these incredible bucket list opportunities too!

We have a range of safari tours that encompass some of Botswana or South Africa’s main attractions, meaning both these countries can be easily included in your Namibia safari trip, no matter how many days you have on your itinerary.

But when should you go?

For a safari trip that combines Botswana and Namibia, the best time to visit is again from May to September.

Botswana’s dry season largely overlaps Namibia’s, with May through October being the best time for wildlife spotting in Botswana and also the best time to travel to the Okavango Delta - one of Botswana’s most stunning safari destinations.

Okavango Delta Botswana Safari

This makes a combined trip to Namibia and Botswana easy to plan!

You can see our range of great tours that encompass the best these two beautiful (and contrasting!) countries have to offer here.

It’s also very common for travellers to include a visit to Cape Town in their Namibia travel plans, with many Namibia safari tours starting or ending in ‘The Mother City’, as Cape Town is affectionately known!

This is no surprise given the drive from Cape Town to the Namibian border is relatively short, and that international flights from Cape Town to Namibia’s capital, Windhoek, are both frequent and affordable. But when it comes to planning a trip that combines a visit to Cape Town and Namibia, a bit more thought is required. That’s because Cape Town has a very different weather pattern to Namibia.

The best time to visit Cape Town is really between November and March, with this being the country’s summer season when the weather is definitely more favourable. That being said, the autumn months of April, and even May, can still be very pleasant in Cape Town.

Clifton beach, Cape Town

So with this in mind, April and (depending on your priorities) May, or October might be the best time to travel to Namibia if you also want to make the most of Cape Town’s warmer weather.

So that’s our guide to the best time to visit Namibia.

If you want some help planning your Namibia safari adventures, and to find some of the most affordable deals, talk to one of our African travel experts.

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