Best Time to Visit – Etosha NP

Anthony Ham
Expert
By Anthony Ham

Anthony is a renowned Africa expert and author of many Lonely Planet guidebooks, including the 'Botswana & Namibia' guide.

Anthony is a renowned Africa expert and author of the 'Botswana & Namibia' Lonely Planet guide.

Anthony is the author of the 'Botswana & Namibia' Lonely Planet guide.

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The best time to visit Etosha National Park is during the dry winter months from July to October. Less water is available during this time and the animals tend to gather around the few sources that are available. The Wet season (November to April) is less productive for spotting wildlife because the animals tend to scatter.

Best Time July to September (Animals congregate around the waterholes)
High Season July to November (The park gets crowded)
Low Season December to June (Low-season rates may apply)
Best Weather May to August (Less hot during the day)
Worst Weather October to February (Very hot)

May to October –Dry Season – Winter

  • Best time for wildlife viewing with large numbers of animals at waterholes
  • Weather is good, although October is very hot
  • July to September is high season and it gets very busy
  • The sky is filled with dust and it can be hazy

Wildlife Photos

View Photos (15)
+13 Photos Want to Visit

November to April –Wet Season – Summer

  • Rainfall comes as a relief, although it rarely rains for long
  • Landscape is attractive and skies are clear
  • Wildlife is in peak condition and plenty of babies can be seen
  • Prime birding during the migrant season
  • Animals are dispersed making viewing difficult
  • It tends to be very hot

Wildlife Photos
+13 Photos

Best Time to Go to Namibia by Major Park

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  • Etosha National Park
    JanJ
    FebF
    MarM
    AprA
    MayM
    JunJ
    JulJ
    AugA
    SepS
    OctO
    NovN
    DecD
  • Namib-Naukluft NP
    JanJ
    FebF
    MarM
    AprA
    MayM
    JunJ
    JulJ
    AugA
    SepS
    OctO
    NovN
    DecD
  • Skeleton Coast NP
    JanJ
    FebF
    MarM
    AprA
    MayM
    JunJ
    JulJ
    AugA
    SepS
    OctO
    NovN
    DecD

Want to Visit Etosha NP?