Namibia, located on the southwestern coast of Africa, is known for its vast, arid landscapes and dramatic scenery. It is bordered by Angola to the north, Botswana to the east, South Africa to the south, and the Atlantic Ocean to the west. The country spans a wide range of geographical regions, from the towering dunes of the Namib Desert on the Atlantic coast to the rugged, mountainous terrain of the Central Plateau and the lush wetlands of the Caprivi Strip in the far northeast.
Namibia is one of the driest countries in sub-Saharan Africa, with a desert and semi-arid climate prevailing over much of the country. The climate is heavily influenced by the Benguela Current in the Atlantic, which brings cool, dry air to the coastal areas. The country can be divided into several key climatic zones:
- Namib Desert: Stretching along the Atlantic coast, the Namib Desert is characterized by low humidity, minimal rainfall, and extreme temperature fluctuations between day and night.
- Central Plateau: The heart of Namibia, including the capital Windhoek, has a semi-arid climate, with hot summers and cool winters.
- Kalahari Desert: This region in the east is more vegetated than the Namib Desert, receiving slightly more rainfall, but remains largely dry.
- Caprivi Strip (Zambezi Region): The northeastern part of Namibia experiences a tropical climate, with higher humidity and more rainfall, especially during the rainy season.
Namibia’s weather can be categorized into two main seasons:
- Dry Season: May to October.
- Wet Season: November to April.
Let’s explore the weather patterns in Namibia on a month-by-month basis.
January
Weather Overview
January is the peak of the wet season in Namibia, with rainfall increasing across the country, particularly in the northern and eastern regions. The weather is hot and humid, especially in the northern areas, while the desert regions remain dry but warm.
Namib Desert and Coastal Regions
- Temperature: 15°C to 28°C (59°F to 82°F)
- Rainfall: 5-20 mm
- Weather: Warm and dry, with occasional fog near the coast due to the Benguela Current. The coastal towns like Swakopmund and Walvis Bay experience cool mornings with warmer afternoons.
Central Plateau (Windhoek, Etosha)
- Temperature: 20°C to 30°C (68°F to 86°F)
- Rainfall: 80-120 mm
- Weather: Warm and humid with frequent thunderstorms, especially in the afternoons. Windhoek and Etosha National Park receive much-needed rain, rejuvenating the vegetation.
Kalahari Desert
- Temperature: 22°C to 34°C (72°F to 93°F)
- Rainfall: 60-100 mm
- Weather: Hot and increasingly wet, with thunderstorms in the afternoon. The Kalahari is greener than usual, thanks to the rains.
Caprivi Strip (Zambezi Region)
- Temperature: 25°C to 35°C (77°F to 95°F)
- Rainfall: 150-200 mm
- Weather: Hot and humid with frequent, heavy rains. This region experiences its wettest month, with the rain feeding into the Zambezi River.
February
Weather Overview
February continues to be part of the wet season in Namibia. Rainfall remains high in the northern and eastern parts of the country, while temperatures stay warm across most regions.
Namib Desert and Coastal Regions
- Temperature: 16°C to 29°C (61°F to 84°F)
- Rainfall: 5-15 mm
- Weather: Warm with little to no rain. The coastal areas remain relatively dry, with cool, misty mornings and sunny afternoons.
Central Plateau (Windhoek, Etosha)
- Temperature: 21°C to 31°C (70°F to 88°F)
- Rainfall: 70-100 mm
- Weather: Warm and humid, with scattered thunderstorms in the afternoons. The landscape is lush, and Etosha National Park is green and vibrant.
Kalahari Desert
- Temperature: 23°C to 34°C (73°F to 93°F)
- Rainfall: 60-90 mm
- Weather: Hot and rainy, with thunderstorms in the late afternoon. The Kalahari remains greener than normal during this month.
Caprivi Strip (Zambezi Region)
- Temperature: 25°C to 34°C (77°F to 93°F)
- Rainfall: 130-180 mm
- Weather: Hot and wet, with frequent rains. The rivers in the region are full, and wildlife activity is high as animals gather around water sources.
March
Weather Overview
March marks the tail end of the wet season, with rainfall starting to taper off in some parts of Namibia. Temperatures remain warm, and the landscape is still lush and green, particularly in the north.
Namib Desert and Coastal Regions
- Temperature: 15°C to 28°C (59°F to 82°F)
- Rainfall: 5-15 mm
- Weather: Warm and mostly dry. Coastal areas like Swakopmund continue to experience misty mornings and mild afternoons, with little rain.
Central Plateau (Windhoek, Etosha)
- Temperature: 20°C to 30°C (68°F to 86°F)
- Rainfall: 50-80 mm
- Weather: Warm with decreasing rainfall. Thunderstorms are still common in the afternoons, but the overall humidity begins to decrease.
Kalahari Desert
- Temperature: 22°C to 33°C (72°F to 91°F)
- Rainfall: 50-80 mm
- Weather: Hot and slightly less rainy. Afternoon thunderstorms still occur, but they become less frequent as the month progresses.
Caprivi Strip (Zambezi Region)
- Temperature: 24°C to 33°C (75°F to 91°F)
- Rainfall: 120-160 mm
- Weather: Hot and humid, with rains continuing in the northeast. The rivers are still full, and wildlife viewing is excellent near water sources.
April
Weather Overview
April is a transitional month as the wet season draws to a close and Namibia moves toward the dry season. Rainfall decreases significantly, and temperatures remain warm, making it a pleasant time to visit.
Namib Desert and Coastal Regions
- Temperature: 13°C to 27°C (55°F to 81°F)
- Rainfall: 0-10 mm
- Weather: Mild and dry. The coastal regions are still cool in the mornings, with warm afternoons. The mist along the coast remains prevalent.
Central Plateau (Windhoek, Etosha)
- Temperature: 18°C to 28°C (64°F to 82°F)
- Rainfall: 20-50 mm
- Weather: Warm with minimal rainfall. The days are sunny, and the evenings are cool. Etosha National Park is still lush, and game viewing is good as the waterholes remain full.
Kalahari Desert
- Temperature: 20°C to 32°C (68°F to 90°F)
- Rainfall: 30-60 mm
- Weather: Hot with occasional afternoon thunderstorms. The rains are decreasing, but the landscape remains greener than usual.
Caprivi Strip (Zambezi Region)
- Temperature: 23°C to 32°C (73°F to 90°F)
- Rainfall: 80-130 mm
- Weather: Warm and humid with decreasing rainfall. The rivers remain full, and wildlife viewing remains excellent.
May
Weather Overview
May marks the beginning of the dry season in Namibia, with very little rainfall across the country. Temperatures are cooler, especially at night, and the landscape begins to dry out.
Namib Desert and Coastal Regions
- Temperature: 10°C to 25°C (50°F to 77°F)
- Rainfall: 0-5 mm
- Weather: Cool and dry. The coastal areas, including Swakopmund and Walvis Bay, experience cool mornings and evenings with mild afternoons. Fog remains a common feature along the coast.
Central Plateau (Windhoek, Etosha)
- Temperature: 15°C to 26°C (59°F to 79°F)
- Rainfall: 5-20 mm
- Weather: Mild and dry. Windhoek experiences pleasant daytime temperatures, but the nights are cooler. Etosha begins to dry out, with game starting to concentrate around the waterholes.
Kalahari Desert
- Temperature: 16°C to 30°C (61°F to 86°F)
- Rainfall: 5-15 mm
- Weather: Hot and dry, with little to no rain. The landscape begins to dry out, but the weather remains comfortable for most outdoor activities.
Caprivi Strip (Zambezi Region)
- Temperature: 18°C to 29°C (64°F to 84°F)
- Rainfall: 20-60 mm
- Weather: Warm and increasingly dry. Rainfall decreases significantly, and the rivers start to recede. Wildlife viewing remains excellent as animals congregate near the remaining water sources.
June
Weather Overview
June is part of the dry season and marks the onset of winter in Namibia. The country experiences cooler temperatures, especially at night, with virtually no rainfall.
Namib Desert and Coastal Regions
- Temperature: 8°C to 23°C (46°F to 73°F)
- Rainfall: 0 mm
- Weather: Cool and dry. The coastal areas experience fog in the mornings, followed by cool, sunny days. Swakopmund and Walvis Bay remain popular destinations during this time.
Central Plateau (Windhoek, Etosha)
- Temperature: 10°C to 24°C (50°F to 75°F)
- Rainfall: 0-5 mm
- Weather: Mild during the day but cold at night. Etosha National Park is dry, and animals gather around waterholes, making it an excellent time for game viewing.
Kalahari Desert
- Temperature: 12°C to 28°C (54°F to 82°F)
- Rainfall: 0-5 mm
- Weather: Hot during the day but much cooler at night. The Kalahari experiences dry conditions, and the landscape becomes more arid.
Caprivi Strip (Zambezi Region)
- Temperature: 15°C to 27°C (59°F to 81°F)
- Rainfall: 0-10 mm
- Weather: Warm and dry. The rainy season has ended, and the rivers continue to recede. Wildlife is still concentrated around water sources.
July
Weather Overview
July is mid-winter in Namibia and part of the dry season. The weather is characterized by cool nights and mild days across most regions. There is no rainfall, making it one of the best months for wildlife viewing.
Namib Desert and Coastal Regions
- Temperature: 7°C to 22°C (45°F to 72°F)
- Rainfall: 0 mm
- Weather: Cool and dry. The mornings and evenings are cold, especially in the desert, but the days are sunny and mild. Coastal fog remains common in the mornings.
Central Plateau (Windhoek, Etosha)
- Temperature: 9°C to 23°C (48°F to 73°F)
- Rainfall: 0 mm
- Weather: Cold nights and mild days. Etosha is dry, and animals congregate around waterholes, offering excellent game-viewing opportunities.
Kalahari Desert
- Temperature: 10°C to 27°C (50°F to 81°F)
- Rainfall: 0 mm
- Weather: Hot during the day, with cold nights. The Kalahari remains dry, with little vegetation, making it easier to spot wildlife.
Caprivi Strip (Zambezi Region)
- Temperature: 12°C to 26°C (54°F to 79°F)
- Rainfall: 0 mm
- Weather: Warm and dry. The region is entering its driest period, and wildlife gathers around the shrinking water sources.
August
Weather Overview
August continues to be part of the dry season, with cool mornings and evenings and warm, sunny days. Wildlife viewing is excellent across Namibia, particularly in the national parks.
Namib Desert and Coastal Regions
- Temperature: 9°C to 24°C (48°F to 75°F)
- Rainfall: 0 mm
- Weather: Cool and dry, with foggy mornings along the coast. Swakopmund remains a popular destination for tourists seeking milder weather.
Central Plateau (Windhoek, Etosha)
- Temperature: 10°C to 25°C (50°F to 77°F)
- Rainfall: 0 mm
- Weather: Mild and dry, with cold nights. Etosha is excellent for game viewing as water sources become more limited.
Kalahari Desert
- Temperature: 12°C to 28°C (54°F to 82°F)
- Rainfall: 0 mm
- Weather: Warm during the day and cool at night. The landscape is arid, making wildlife easier to spot.
Caprivi Strip (Zambezi Region)
- Temperature: 15°C to 28°C (59°F to 82°F)
- Rainfall: 0 mm
- Weather: Warm and dry. The rivers have receded significantly, and wildlife is concentrated around the remaining water sources.
September
Weather Overview
September marks the end of winter and the beginning of spring in Namibia, though it remains part of the dry season. Temperatures start to rise, but the weather remains pleasant.
Namib Desert and Coastal Regions
- Temperature: 12°C to 27°C (54°F to 81°F)
- Rainfall: 0 mm
- Weather: Warm and dry, with coastal fog continuing in the mornings. The desert regions remain mild, with warm afternoons.
Central Plateau (Windhoek, Etosha)
- Temperature: 14°C to 28°C (57°F to 82°F)
- Rainfall: 0 mm
- Weather: Mild and dry, with slightly warmer days. The nights are still cool, but the game viewing in Etosha remains excellent.
Kalahari Desert
- Temperature: 16°C to 30°C (61°F to 86°F)
- Rainfall: 0 mm
- Weather: Hot and dry, with clear skies and rising temperatures. The Kalahari is parched, and vegetation is sparse.
Caprivi Strip (Zambezi Region)
- Temperature: 18°C to 30°C (64°F to 86°F)
- Rainfall: 0-5 mm
- Weather: Warm and dry. Wildlife continues to gather around waterholes, making it an excellent time for game viewing.
October
Weather Overview
October is the hottest month in Namibia and marks the end of the dry season. Temperatures soar, especially in the northern and central regions, and there is little to no rain.
Namib Desert and Coastal Regions
- Temperature: 15°C to 30°C (59°F to 86°F)
- Rainfall: 0-5 mm
- Weather: Hot and dry, with little rainfall. The coastal areas remain cool in the mornings but warm up quickly in the afternoons.
Central Plateau (Windhoek, Etosha)
- Temperature: 18°C to 32°C (64°F to 90°F)
- Rainfall: 5-10 mm
- Weather: Very hot, with minimal rain. Etosha experiences high temperatures, and animals congregate around the last remaining waterholes.
Kalahari Desert
- Temperature: 20°C to 35°C (68°F to 95°F)
- Rainfall: 0-5 mm
- Weather: Extremely hot and dry. The Kalahari experiences searing heat during the day, with cooler nights.
Caprivi Strip (Zambezi Region)
- Temperature: 20°C to 34°C (68°F to 93°F)
- Rainfall: 5-10 mm
- Weather: Hot and dry, though some areas may experience the first scattered showers of the upcoming rainy season.
November
Weather Overview
November marks the beginning of the wet season, with the first rains arriving in the northern and central regions of Namibia. Temperatures remain high, but humidity increases, and thunderstorms become more frequent.
Namib Desert and Coastal Regions
- Temperature: 18°C to 32°C (64°F to 90°F)
- Rainfall: 5-10 mm
- Weather: Hot and dry, though coastal areas remain relatively cool in the mornings. The desert is largely unaffected by the rains at this time of year.
Central Plateau (Windhoek, Etosha)
- Temperature: 20°C to 34°C (68°F to 93°F)
- Rainfall: 10-40 mm
- Weather: Hot and increasingly humid. Afternoon thunderstorms begin in Windhoek and Etosha, bringing relief from the heat.
Kalahari Desert
- Temperature: 22°C to 36°C (72°F to 97°F)
- Rainfall: 10-30 mm
- Weather: Hot and dry, though thunderstorms bring occasional rain to the region. Temperatures remain high during the day.
Caprivi Strip (Zambezi Region)
- Temperature: 22°C to 35°C (72°F to 95°F)
- Rainfall: 30-70 mm
- Weather: Hot and humid, with thunderstorms becoming more frequent. The rivers begin to swell with the onset of the rainy season.
December
Weather Overview
December is part of the wet season, with rainfall increasing across Namibia, particularly in the north and east. Temperatures remain high, and humidity increases, especially in the northern regions.
Namib Desert and Coastal Regions
- Temperature: 18°C to 30°C (64°F to 86°F)
- Rainfall: 5-15 mm
- Weather: Warm and dry, with occasional showers inland. Coastal regions like Swakopmund remain relatively cool, with foggy mornings and warmer afternoons.
Central Plateau (Windhoek, Etosha)
- Temperature: 21°C to 33°C (70°F to 91°F)
- Rainfall: 50-80 mm
- Weather: Warm and humid, with frequent thunderstorms in the afternoons. Etosha National Park begins to turn green, and wildlife is dispersed due to the abundance of water.
Kalahari Desert
- Temperature: 23°C to 35°C (73°F to 95°F)
- Rainfall: 30-70 mm
- Weather: Hot and increasingly wet. Afternoon thunderstorms bring occasional relief from the heat, but temperatures remain high.
Caprivi Strip (Zambezi Region)
- Temperature: 24°C to 34°C (75°F to 93°F)
- Rainfall: 100-150 mm
- Weather: Hot and humid, with frequent rains. The rivers are rising, and the landscape is lush and green.