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Namibia is characterized by its desert habitat. The harsh environment forms a magnificent backdrop for a different kind of safari. Animal populations are smaller, but sightings in this sparse setting tend to be rewarding. Not to be missed is Etosha Pan, the largest salt pan in Africa and a seasonal wildlife magnet.
Pros
- Excellent waterhole-based wildlife viewing at Etosha
- Long coastline with marine animals, such as seal colonies
- Good infrastructure and excellent self-drive safari options
- High-end and budget safaris
- Low population and vast undeveloped areas
- Highly photogenic scenery and colors
Cons
- Desert habitat doesn’t support high animal densities
- Not a great destination to see big cats
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The open, arid landscape of Namibia doesn’t support animals in great numbers, but you’ll certainly have no trouble seeing the ones that do live here. These include plenty of wildebeest, zebra, lion and elephant, with large groups congregating in Etosha. The country is particularly good for seeing cheetah, which are widespread, while the more elusive black rhino and brown hyena confine themselves to coastal locations.
Because of the arid environment, wildlife numbers are relatively low in Namibia, but animals are easy to spot. All of the big predators are present, and cheetah is especially common throughout. Huge herds of animals, elephant in particular, can be seen in the Dry season at Etosha pan.
Wildlife Highlights
Damaraland is home to a healthy population of desert-adapted elephant, a smaller population of black rhino can be tracked in a similar environment. The secretive brown hyena is sometimes seen lurking around seal colonies on the coast. Other marine wildlife includes the rare heaviside’s dolphin and migrating southern right whale.
Best Time for Wildlife Viewing
Namibia is relatively dry throughout the year, but there are two rainy seasons. The little rains are from November to December and the main rainy season is from January to April. During the rains, vegetation grows throughout the region and wildlife tends to scatter and is harder to find. The end of the Dry season (July-October) is the best time to see animals at the waterholes. This coincides with the busiest tourist season.
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The sunny, virtually cloudless days of the Dry season (May to October) are a very pleasant time to visit. Although from June to August it can get very chilly overnight and in the early morning. The Dry season also happens to be the best time for wildlife watching, as animals gather around any water and are easy to find.
The best time to visit Namibia is in the Dry season from June to October, although it can be visited throughout the year. Wildlife viewing in all parks, but especially in Etosha, is best in the Dry season. The climate is generally dry and pleasant. Between December and March, some days will be humid and rain may follow, often in localized, afternoon thunderstorms. In the Wet season, animals move away from the waterholes and scatter around the park.
May to October –Dry Season – Winter
- Wildlife congregates around rivers and waterholes, making animals easier to spot – it is the best time to visit Etosha
- There are no clouds, it’s sunny, and there is virtually no rain
- Even though most tourists visit during the Dry season, the parks still don’t feel crowded, except for Etosha
- It gets cold at night and in the mornings – it’s advisable to pack warm winter clothing during June, July and August for the cold morning game drives
November to April –Wet Season – Summer
- After the rains, the scenery is greener and the rates are lower, because it’s low season
- This is the time of the year you can see newborn animals – migratory birds are present, and birding is at its best
- Rains are mostly short showers in the afternoon and rarely have a negative impact on your trip
- It gets very hot from October to February
- It’s more difficult to spot animals – this is especially true for Etosha
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A subtropical desert climate is the norm in Namibian parks. In the winter (May to October), this means barely any rain and afternoon temperatures that usually stay below 28°C/82°F. The rain finally arrives a few months into summer (November to April), accompanied by humidity, and fierce heat in the desert areas that approaches 40°C/104°F.
Mostly, Namibia has a subtropical desert climate characterized by great differences in day and nighttime temperatures, low rainfall and overall low humidity. Namibia experiences winter and summer at opposite times as Europe and North America and they correspond to the Dry and Wet seasons.
Windhoek’s climate compared to Namibia’s parks
Except for the temperature, the climate of Namibia’s parks is similar to Windhoek. Windhoek is located on the semi-arid central plateau at 1,700m/5,577ft, and most parks are located around 1,000m/3,280ft and lower. Temperatures increase by about 6°C for every 1,000m you descend (or 3.5°F per 1,000ft). As a result, Namibia’s parks are hotter, especially those located in the desert. Rainfall is higher in the far north, including Etosha and the Zambezi Region (Caprivi Strip). Further south the climate is hotter and drier.
Dry Season–May to October – Winter
- There is little to no rainfall during the entire winter and humidity is low. Wildlife will gather around waterholes and rivers when other water sources dry up.
- May – It is the end of summer. The rains have stopped, but the scenery is still lovely and green. The nights aren’t cold yet, and daytime temperatures are, on average, around 24-28°C/75-82°F.
- June – The nights are getting cold and can drop below 10°C/50°F. In desert areas, it can be freezing. Daytime temperatures are still pleasant around 20-24°C/68-75°F.
- July & August – The average maximum temperature is 21-25°C/70-77°F. The average minimum temperature is around 7°C/45°F but can fall to below freezing at night in the deserts and higher areas. Be sure to pack warm clothing for morning game drives.
- September & October – September is a lovely month. It isn’t too hot yet, but the chill in the mornings is becoming less. It is dry, and the skies are clear. During October, the green vegetation is fading, and the heat gradually builds up.
Wet Season–November to April – Summer
- November – The heat continues to rise, and by November, it is very hot, but the humidity is still low, keeping it quite pleasant. On average, the daytime temperature is above 30°C/86°F but can be a lot higher in the deserts. Clouds are starting to build up in the afternoons.
- December – The first rains usually arrive and with them the temperature drops. The landscape changes after the first rains and everything comes to life.
- January & February – This is midsummer. It tends to be hot and humid with maximum temperatures around 30-35°C/86-95°F with peaks of over 40°C/104°F in the desert. There may be torrential downpours in the afternoon but not every day. Mornings are usually clear.
- March & April – Rainfall will decrease and stops around April. It cools down after the rains and the nights start to get cold again. Average daytime temperatures are around 25-30°C/77-86°F
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