Climate Namibia
Many visitors wonder about the best time of year to travel to Namibia and do as many outdoor activities as possible. Whether it's game drives, hiking trails or dune surfing, the best time to visit Namibia is usually between April and November, during the dry season. It is sunny, the sky is clear and temperatures remain warm during the day throughout the country. The climatic conditions in Namibia are related to the peninsular character of Southern Africa, straddling the Tropic of Capricorn. But with a less diversified relief than its neighbors, the climate is a little more uniform on its territory. It is subtropical, arid and dry, with hot days and cool nights that can reach negative temperatures in the middle of the southern winter. We can distinguish three main seasons in Namibia
A warm season with relatively low rainfall
The hot season is commonly referred to as December to April, but this climate is more subtle than our European summer. Temperatures vary on average from 16 °C to 34 °C, but in the desert areas they can reach 40 °C to 45 °C (and even 70 °C on the ground in some parts of the Namib desert!). The nights are still relatively cool, so they are pleasant to sleep in, especially after a day with scorching temperatures. The months of January, February and March correspond to the rainy season, but the latter is never very important (between 300 and 600 mm on average per year), February being generally the wettest month. Climate change is unfortunately a reality in Namibia, many disruptions have occurred in recent years, as in January 2021 when torrential rains hit the country over several days causing major flooding. The country was transformed into a vast green territory as never before. As a rule, rainfall is much higher in the subtropical north. In the desert regions, rainfall varies on average from 30 to 120 mm per year. Rainfall is generally concentrated at the end of the day in the central and northern parts of the country, and rainfall is extremely scarce in the Sesriem region and on the Namibian coast (in Swakopmund, rainfall averages less than 40 mm per year). During this season, many Namibians and South Africans migrate (on vacation) to the ocean, to the seaside towns of Swakopmund and Henties Bay, because the climate is cooler there. Indeed, as we will see later, these seaside towns and the entire Atlantic coast enjoy a pleasant microclimate throughout the year.
Traveling in Namibia during this warm and humid period has the advantage of longer days and the few clouds at the end of the day offer the best photographic opportunities of the sunset. Finally, if you are lucky enough to see some rain in the desert, you may be privileged to see the desert in bloom and watch the Namib basins fill with water, forming unique natural oases (Sossusvlei). In Damaraland, wildlife is abundant in the rainy season, as the scarcity of water in the highlands drives animals down to the grassy plains in search of water and food. The Caprivi Strip should be avoided, however, because of the often flooded or closed roads. It is also the only area where malaria is still active, especially during this rainy season.
A cold and dry season
It is the austral winter, a period which goes from May to September, the average temperature varies from 4°C to 25°C, but the temperature sometimes goes down to -10°C at night, on the southern reliefs and in the Kalahari desert. The sky remains azure and the daytime temperature is very pleasant for hiking. The rain stops, the nature is resplendent and the plants regain their colors. If the sun remains warm at this latitude, however, it is quickly very cold at dawn and at dusk, and sometimes during the day, a cool wind can blow quite strong. Travelers should therefore make sure to bring sufficiently warm clothing (anorak, scarf and gloves...) for the cold winter evenings (especially when camping) and early morning game drives. The days are short and it is usually dark by 5pm.
However, this is the ideal season to visit the Etosha Park where the rare water holes attract thirsty wildlife. Temperatures rise in the Caprivi Strip where the end of the rains allows you to discover this region of lush vegetation. Northern Kunene (Kaokoland) is also interesting to see during this season.
A hot and dry season
This season, which runs from September to December, is ideal for visiting Namibia. In some years, the interior of the country experiences rare rains in October or November, but these are only sporadic thunderstorms and are generally dry and the best months for wildlife viewing in the game parks, with animals congregating around waterholes. September is ideal for backpackers as the nights are not as cold as in winter and the daytime temperatures are still decent for walking.
The Atlantic coast has a special climate throughout the year. This is due to the winds that considerably change the climate, whatever the season. A thick fog often forms on the coast, it is due to the meeting of the cold air created by the current of Benguela in the Atlantic Ocean with the hot air of the desert. It can therefore be cool, even cold in spring if the wind blows, in Lüderitz, Walvis Bay, Swakopmund and along the Skeleton Coast to Sesriem in winter. Nevertheless, winter is also favourable to the east wind. When it blows on the coast, it sweeps away the fog and the cold influences of the ocean. It can happen that the temperature in Swakopmund, for example, suddenly rises by 15°C in the middle of winter, in a few hours. The east wind can blow for several days or weeks in a row, offering a welcoming and fog-free coastline, where you can swap your K-Way for shorts and a T-shirt.
Forget the fine sandy beaches, here, the ocean is icy and hostile. The most daring among you can try the experience, but be aware of the numerous jellyfish that can be found there.
The fog and the "Germanic" atmosphere of Swakopmund and Lüderitz with their architecture, their gastronomy (oysters and goulash) and their population of German origin are sometimes reminiscent of the beaches of Northern Europe. It is a refreshing and welcome stopover after or before the dunes of Sossusvlei during the southern summer when it can easily reach 40°C.
