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When to go · Namibia

Namibia, month by month

The best months for Namibia: May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep.

Month by month

  1. JanuaryMixedHot, first big storms; South African holidaymakers till mid-month.Central highlands: hot · Namib Desert: hot · Skeleton and central coast: best weatherCrowds: Medium · 1 festival or holiday
  2. FebruaryMixedRainiest month in the north and centre; rivers can flood gravel roads.Central highlands: rainy · Namib Desert: hot · Skeleton and central coast: best weatherCrowds: Low
  3. MarchMixedGreen landscapes and birdlife; Etosha animals dispersed.Central highlands: rainy · Namib Desert: hot · Skeleton and central coast: best weatherCrowds: Low · 2 festivals or holidays
  4. AprilGoodRains end; clear air and quiet lodges. Easter busy.Central highlands: fine · Namib Desert: fine · Skeleton and central coast: best weatherCrowds: Low · 3 festivals or holidays
  5. MayGreatStart of the dry season: pleasant days, cool nights, green still around.Central highlands: best weather · Namib Desert: best weather · Skeleton and central coast: fineCrowds: Medium · 5 festivals or holidays
  6. JuneGreatCold desert nights (near 0 °C (32 °F)); Etosha waterholes busy.Central highlands: best weather · Namib Desert: best weather · Skeleton and central coast: coolCrowds: Medium
  7. JulyGreatEuropean summer peak; Sossusvlei and Etosha book out months ahead.Central highlands: best weather · Namib Desert: best weather · Skeleton and central coast: coolCrowds: High
  8. AugustGreatDry, clear and busy; east-wind days on the coast.Central highlands: best weather · Namib Desert: best weather · Skeleton and central coast: coolCrowds: High · 2 festivals or holidays
  9. SeptemberGreatHeat builds; excellent game at Etosha.Central highlands: best weather · Namib Desert: best weather · Skeleton and central coast: coolCrowds: High · 1 festival or holiday
  10. OctoberGoodHot and dusty; best waterhole viewing before the rains.Central highlands: best weather · Namib Desert: fine · Skeleton and central coast: fineCrowds: Medium · 1 festival or holiday
  11. NovemberMixedVery hot inland; first storms in the north.Central highlands: hot · Namib Desert: hot · Skeleton and central coast: best weatherCrowds: Low
  12. DecemberMixedHot; regional holidays fill campsites and coast.Central highlands: hot · Namib Desert: hot · Skeleton and central coast: best weatherCrowds: High · 3 festivals or holidays

Compare two months

Weather, crowds and prices for any two months in Namibia, side by side.

  • Verdict

    May: Great

    Jun: Great

  • Crowds

    May: Medium

    Jun: Medium

  • Prices

    May: Medium

    Jun: Medium

  • Festivals listed

    May: 5

    Jun: 0

May: Start of the dry season: pleasant days, cool nights, green still around.

June: Cold desert nights (near 0 °C); Etosha waterholes busy.

Namibia: figures are long-term averages from this guide, not a forecast.

Weather by region

How each climate zone rates each month.

Weather rating by region and month
RegionJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Central highlandsWindhoek, WaterbergHotWetWetOKBestBestBestBestBestBestHotHot
Namib DesertSossusvlei, Sesriem, NamibRandHotHotHotOKBestBestBestBestBestOKHotHot
Skeleton and central coastSwakopmund, Walvis Bay, Cape CrossBestBestBestBestOKCoolCoolCoolCoolOKBestBest
Damaraland and KuneneTwyfelfontein, Palmwag, OpuwoHotWetWetOKBestBestBestBestBestHotHotHot
EtoshaOkaukuejo, Halali, NamutoniWetWetWetOKOKBestBestBestBestBestHotWet
Zambezi region (Caprivi)Katima Mulilo, Bwabwata, MudumuWetWetWetOKBestBestBestBestBestHotHotWet