​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 National Park is a premier travel destination in Namibia, mostly visited for its stunning desert scenery and less so for its wildlife. It has a predominantly dry desert climate and may be visited throughout the year. However, the most comfortable time is during the cooler months from May to September. Outside of these months it can be very hot, which may limit how much time you spend outside during daylight hours.


161 Namib-Naukluft Safaris
Best Time May to September (Less hot)
High Season July to November (Sossusvlei area gets busy; 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 March (Very hot at lower-altitude areas, including Sossusvlei)

May to October –Dry Season – Winter

  • It is less hot in the middle of the day (October can be warm)
  • Best time for hiking in the Naukluft Mountains
  • May and June offer good weather with fewer crowds
  • The Sossusvlei area gets quite busy at times
  • It can be cold in the early morning
  • It is often dry and dusty, and the sky can be hazy

Wildlife Photos

View Photos (5)
+3 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

Wildlife Photos
+3 Photos

Best Time To Go by Major Park

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Want To Visit Namib-Naukluft NP?

161 Namib-Naukluft Safaris