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License Information available under 'Proof of Image Sources'")
Furthermore, we analyzed all climate data and provide a recommendation about which months are best to visit Namibia for your holiday.
Climate Overview
6 °C to 35 °C
12 °C to 17 °C
0 – 4.33 in (0 – 9 Days of Rain)Average Annual Temperature is between 15.3 °C (Walvis Bay) and 22.4 °C (Etosha National Park)
Show temperatures in degree
Geographical location
Table of Contents
Namibia is located in southern Africa and borders the neighbouring countries Botswana, South Africa, Zambia and Angola. There is also a natural border to the Atlantic Ocean on the west coast.
Namibia, whose name derives from the famous Namib Desert, was a German protected area since 1884 and became the most important German colony in Africa. After the First World War, Namibia was placed under a protective mandate by South Africa in 1920 and did not become independent until 1990. The two regions Walvis Bay and Penguin Islands followed four years later.
Even today, the German influence can still be felt in many areas. The largest city in Namibia is the capital Windhoek with around 325,000 inhabitants in the centre of the country. Through the extensive Namib Desert Namibia is with about 2.1 million inhabitants on over 512000 miles² (more than twice as large as Germany) only very sparsely populated.
The country is full of contrasts, not only ethnically and culturally, but also in terms of landscape. Between the two deserts, the Namib in the west and the Kalahari in the east, stretches the highlands of Namibia. In the area of the capital, the altitude level is between 1625 and 2000 metres. The highest elevation is the Königstein in the Brandberg massif at around 2600 metres.
Climate in Namibia
As diverse as the landscape in Namibia is, so different is the climate in the individual regions of the country. Basically, however, we would like to describe the climate as arid and subtropical-continental. It is mainly dry and very hot especially in the African summer (October to March). During this period, the central highlands – with the exception of the south – are dominated by the so-called summer rain.
The Namib Desert is influenced by quite constant, warm winds all year round and experiences very little precipitation. Day temperatures in summer are permanently above 30 °C, while it can get quite cold at night. The Kalahari is a little more rainy than the Namib, but remains very dry overall.
On the coast, the climate in Namibia is dominated by the so-called Benguela Current, a cold ocean current from the Antarctic. Our climate table for Walvis Bay / Swakopmund makes this phenomenon very clear: even the midsummer remains pleasantly cool, while the temperatures continue to fall in winter. The water temperatures are also in the refreshing range of 14 °C to 16 °C.
Best Time to Visit Namibia: Overview
JanuaryJan Midsummer Midsummer very hot, rather wet, more pleasant at the coast very hot especially in deserts, locally rainfalls, pleasant at coast | FebruaryFeb Midsummer Midsummer very hot, rather wet, more pleasant at the coast very hot especially in deserts, locally rainfalls, pleasant at coast | MarchMar Late SummerLate Summer End of Rainy Season, weather more pleasant, but still hot.End of Rainy Season, still hot, but better | AprilApr Best time to traveltime Perfect climate in Namibia, best for photography (clear air, green)Perf. climate in Namibia, perfect for photography | MayMay Best time to traveltime Perfect climate in Namibia, best for photography (clear air, green)Perf. climate in Namibia, perfect for photography | JuneJun Best time to traveltime but beginning of winter with lower temperatures, good for Safari Beginning of Winter, considerably fresher, good for Safari |
JulyJul Best time to traveltime but winter with lower temperatures, perfect for Safari Winter, fresh, perfect for Safari | AugustAug Best time to traveltime dry winter with lower temperatures, perfect for Safari Winter, dry and cool, perfect for Safari | SeptemberSep Best time to traveltime Temperatures rising, perfect for Safari getting warmer, perfect for Safari | OctoberOct Good time to traveltime considerably warmer, but sparse. Still perfect for Safariconsiderably warmer, but sparse. perfect for Safari | NovemberNov Start of SummerBeginning of Summer increasingly hot and start of rainhot and beginning of rain | DecemberDec Midsummer Midsummer very hot, rather wet, more pleasant at the coast very hot especially in deserts, locally rainfalls, pleasant at coast |
When to travel to Namibia?
Basically Namibia can be visited all year round. However, we recommend the period of the African winter between April and the end of October as the best travel season in Namibia. The temperatures are now pleasant, the precipitation is very low and consequently the vegetation is not as pronounced as in summer. What sounds negative at first glance, however, has many advantages:
During the dry season, especially on safaris, the animals gather at the few remaining waterholes and make fantastic wildlife observations possible. Due to the decline in vegetation, the possibilities for hiding are now much smaller, so that even rare animal species can be easily discovered. The months of September and October before the rainy season begins are particularly ideal.
Determining the best time to travel in Namibia is a luxury problem, however, as every month has its own special charm.
Best Time to Visit the Regions
Find the best time to visit the regions (Namibia) in the following overview.| Location | Best Time to Travel |
|---|---|
| Windhoek | April, May, June, July, August, September, and October |
| Walvis Bay | January, February, March, April, October, November, and December |
| Etosha National Park | April, May, June, July, August, September, and October |
Climate Charts Namibia
In the following, you will find climate charts for the regions.
Furthermore, there are some charts you can use for quick comparison of climate between the regions.
Show Climate Chart for
Windhoek
Show temperatures in degree
Source of Data: German Weather Service (Offenbach) and Wikipedia
Climate Tables Namibia
In the following, you will find some climate tables for Namibia, containing information about Temperatures, Precipitation, Water Temperatures, and Hours of Sunshine.Show climate table for
Temperatures, Precipitation, Sunshine in Windhoek (Namibia)
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Day Temperature | 30° | 29° | 27° | 26° | 23° | 20° | 21° | 23° | 27° | 29° | 30° | 31° |
| Night Temperature | 17° | 17° | 15° | 13° | 9° | 7° | 6° | 9° | 12° | 15° | 16° | 17° |
| Precipitation (inch) | 3.07 | 3.03 | 3.11 | 1.5 | 0.28 | 0.04 | 0.04 | 0.04 | 0.12 | 0.43 | 1.06 | 1.65 |
| Rainy days | 8 | 9 | 8 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 5 |
| Hours of Sunshine | 9 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 |
Show temperatures in degree
Temperatures
The annual average temperature in Windhoek is 19.4 °C.For comparison: London 11 °C, NYC 12 °C, LA 17.9 °C
Warmest month: December (23.8 °C)
Coldest month: June (13.4 °C)
Precipitation
Overall annual precipitation: 14.37 inch on 41 rainy daysFor comparison: London 24.06 in, NYC 41.57 in, LA 12.01 in
There is no rainy season (months with more than 6.9 in of precipitation).
You cannot expect snow in any month in Windhoek.
Sunshine
As our climate table shows, August is the sunniest month with an average of 10.3 hours of sunshine per day. Over the year, there are 9.5 hours of sunshine per day on average. For comparison: London has 4.1, NYC has 7 and LA has 8.9 hours of sunshine per day on average.Temperatures, Precipitation, Sunshine in Walvis Bay (Namibia)
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Day Temperature | 20° | 21° | 20° | 18° | 18° | 20° | 18° | 16° | 16° | 16° | 18° | 19° |
| Night Temperature | 15° | 16° | 15° | 13° | 11° | 11° | 9° | 9° | 10° | 11° | 13° | 14° |
| Water Temperature | 15° | 16° | 17° | 16° | 15° | 14° | 14° | 13° | 12° | 13° | 14° | 15° |
| Precipitation (inch) | 0.08 | 0.08 | 0.24 | 0.04 | 0 | 0.04 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.04 | 0 |
| Hours of Sunshine | 7 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 6 |
Show temperatures in degree
Temperatures
The annual average temperature in Walvis Bay is 15.3 °C.Warmest month: February (18.5 °C)
Coldest month: August (12.5 °C)
The maximum water temperature in Walvis Bay is 17 °C. Comfortable bathing is possible at water temperatures of about 21 °C.
Months with water temperature of at least 17 °C (Limited bathing is possible):
March
Precipitation
Overall annual precipitation: 0.51 inchThere is no rainy season (months with more than 6.9 in of precipitation).
You cannot expect snow in any month in Walvis Bay.
Sunshine
As our climate table shows, April is the sunniest month with an average of 8 hours of sunshine per day. Over the year, there are 7.2 hours of sunshine per day on average.Temperatures, Precipitation, Sunshine in Etosha National Park (Namibia)
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Day Temperature | 34° | 32° | 31° | 31° | 28° | 26° | 26° | 29° | 33° | 35° | 35° | 35° |
| Night Temperature | 19° | 18° | 17° | 15° | 10° | 6° | 6° | 8° | 13° | 16° | 18° | 18° |
| Precipitation (inch) | 2.8 | 4.33 | 2.64 | 1.34 | 0.12 | 0.12 | 0 | 0 | 0.04 | 0.16 | 1.06 | 1.54 |
| Rainy days | 8 | 9 | 7 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 4 |
| Hours of Sunshine | 9 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 |
Show temperatures in degree
Temperatures
The annual average temperature in Etosha National Park is 22.4 °C.Warmest month: December (26.7 °C)
Coldest month: July (15.9 °C)
Precipitation
Overall annual precipitation: 14.13 inch on 40 rainy daysThere is no rainy season (months with more than 6.9 in of precipitation).
You cannot expect snow in any month in Etosha National Park.
Sunshine
As our climate table shows, July is the sunniest month with an average of 10.9 hours of sunshine per day. Over the year, there are 9.8 hours of sunshine per day on average.Sights and Highlights
One of Namibia’s most popular game reserves is Etosha National Park, the dunes of Sossusvlei and of course the Namib are particularly impressive. Other highlights of a Namibia trip are the remote Kaokoveld, the red desert of the Kalahari and the Waterberg Plateau Park.
The gigantic Fish River Canyon, the coastal towns of Swakopmund and Lüderitz and the seal reserve at Cape Cross are just as much a must. Round trips through Namibia usually also include Damaraland, where you will admire the rock paintings from the Stone Age and the rock formation of the organ pipes. Combined trips with the neighbouring country Botswana are extremely popular.
More information about the best things to do: Namibia
Popular Activities
Walvis Bay: Marine Big 5 Luxury Catamaran Tour
Tours
from 60 $ »
Sail out on a catamaran and try to spot the ocean’s “Big 5”: whales, dolphins, mola mola, leatherback turtles and seals. Enjoy a relaxing morning at sea including refreshments and snacks.
Walvis Bay: 4×4 Desert Excursion to Sandwich Harbour Bay
Tours
from 114 $ »
Discover a unique landscape of giant sand dunes that run straight into the ocean. Explore the rolling dunes on a 4×4, and learn about the creatures that live and thrive in this harsh environment.
Windhoek: City and Township Tour
Tours
from 35 $ »
Take this comprehensive 3-4 hour tour of Windhoek and discover both sides of the city. View the historical highlights in Windhoek city center, and get an overview of the Katutura Township where the majority of the city’s residents live.
More attractions
Kayaking and Sandwich Harbour Combo Tour | Walvis Bay: Sandwich Harbour Sunset Photography Tour | Walvis Bay: Pelican Point Kayaking Tour | Walvis Bay: Sandwich Harbour Half-Day 4×4 Scenic Excursion | Self-Drive Namib Desert Adventure to Sandwich Bay | Walvis Bay: Mondesa Township Tour & Cooking Experience | Walvis Bay: Dolphin/Seal Catamaran Cruise with drinks & food |Current Weather and Forecast
Current Weather in Windhoek
broken clouds, 24.1 °CClouds: 61 % Wind: 10 mph N
Air Pressure: 1008 hPa Humidity: 50 %
Air Pressure: 1008 hPa Humidity: 50 %
Last updated: 7th Feb 2023, 04:00 pm
The next days …
| 8th Feb 2023 | 9th Feb 2023 | 10th Feb 2023 | 11th Feb 2023 | 12th Feb 2023 | 13th Feb 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 17 °C to 27 °C | 17 °C to 28 °C |  18 °C to 29 °C |  19 °C to 29 °C | 19 °C to 29 °C | 20 °C to 31 °C |
| 17 °C to 27 °C | 17 °C to 28 °C | 18 °C to 29 °C | 19 °C to 29 °C | 19 °C to 29 °C | 20 °C to 31 °C |
| Clouds: 63 % | Clouds: 3 % | Clouds: 5 % | Clouds: 25 % | Clouds: 55 % | Clouds: 31 % |
| 0.02 in of rain | 0.02 in of rain | No Precipitation | No Precipitation | No Precipitation | No Precipitation |
Weather information provided by OpenWeatherMap. (CC BY-SA)
Show temperatures in degree
Hottest Month
December: 35 °C
Day Temperature in Etosha National Park
December: 35 °CDay Temperature in Etosha National Park
Coldest Month
July: 6 °C
Night Temperature in Etosha National Park
July: 6 °CNight Temperature in Etosha National Park
Rainiest Month
February: 4.33 in
Rain in Etosha National Park
February: 4.33 inRain in Etosha National Park
Driest Month
May: 0 in
Rain in Walvis Bay
May: 0 inRain in Walvis Bay
Maximum Water Temperature
March: 17 °C
Water Temperature in Walvis Bay
March: 17 °CWater Temperature in Walvis Bay
Sunniest Month
July: 10.9 hours/day
Sunshine in Etosha National Park
July: 10.9 hours/daySunshine in Etosha National Park
Activities and Attractions
Walvis Bay: 4-Hour Namib Desert and Dunes Photography Tour
Tours
from 225 $ »
Walvis Bay: Pelican Point & Sandwich Harbor Kayak & 4×4 Tour
Tours
from 234 $ »
Walvis Bay: Pelican Point Guided Kayaking with Seal Colonies
Tours
from 61 $ »
Distances to Namibia
| London | New York | Los Angeles | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Windhoek | 5230 mi | 7280 mi | 9650 mi |
| Walvis Bay | 5230 mi | 7170 mi | 9510 mi |
| Etosha National Park | 4950 mi | 7020 mi | 9400 mi |
Where’s Namibia?
Show Windhoek on MapShow Walvis Bay on Map
Show Etosha National Park on Map
Continent: Africa
All Holiday Destinations in AfricaShare your Experience and Win
We want to know: how was the weather during your Namibia holiday? You can win a travel coupon of 1000 $. The price will be raffled among all submissions.
Namibia: Experiences of our Visitors
mostly warm, but not humid – occasional rain showers – at night in the desert rain conjures up great colors!
Weather Rating: 4 stars – Good
Very pleasant dry warm climate. No humidity. Good travel time for a round trip.
Weather Rating: 5 stars – Excellent
Motorcycle tour without rainwear! It was a dreamlike experience and also for not so experienced drivers feasible!
Weather Rating: 5 stars – Excellent
every day a bright blue sky. And a lot of nice people.
Weather Rating: 5 stars – Excellent
At the end of December we were on the road in the north of Namibia, which was called the worst travel time imaginable. In fact, it was extremely hot during the day, but still manageable. When we arrived in Etosha after 8 days, the first heat storms and rainfalls slowly began. However, always in the afternoon, from 3 or 4 pm. Sometimes it rained through the night, the next morning it was clear again. Overall, there were only a few restrictions for us. Overall I would describe the travel weather as good.
Weather Rating: 4 stars – Good