Best Time to Visit – Namib-Naukluft 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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Namib-Naukluft is a premier travel destination in Namibia, mostly visited for its stunning desert scenery and less for its wildlife. Therefore, the park may be visited throughout the year, but the most comfortable time is during the cooler months from May to October. Outside of these months it can be very hot, limiting how much time you may want to spend outside.

Best Time May to September (Less hot)
High Season July to November (Sossusvlei area gets busy and high-season rates apply)
Low Season December to June (Low-season rates may apply)
Best Weather May to September (Cooler during the day)
Worst Weather November to February (Very hot at lower altitude areas, including Sossusvlei)

May to October –Dry Season – Winter

  • It is less hot in the middle of the day (except for October)
  • Best time for hiking in the Naukluft Mountains
  • Sossusvlei area gets quite busy at times
  • It is cold in the early morning
  • It is very dry and dusty and the sky can be hazy

Wildlife Photos

View Photos (7)
+5 Photos Want to Visit

November to April –Wet Season – Summer

  • The rain comes as a relief after a long dry period
  • Flowers brighten the desert scenery and the views tend to be clearer after rain
  • Excellent time for birding with migratory birds present
  • It tends to be oppressively hot
  • Occasional flash floods can restrict access to some areas
  • If visiting both Namib-Naukluft and Etosha; wildlife viewing in Etosha isn't as productive

Wildlife Photos
+5 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

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