Plan your trip
Plan your trip
Plan your trip

Plan Your Trip

SEASONAL TIPS

  • The best time to visit the capital and surroundings is between May and September, when it is cool and dry. In the rainy season from November to March it is hot and somewhat humid, sometimes with heavy rains. December to January is the main school holiday season in Namibia, when much of the population heads to the coast, and some of the smaller shops and restaurants in the interior might be closed.
  • If you are visiting southern Namibia and the desert areas surrounding Sossusvlei it is best to avoid the summer months, as temperatures can be extreme. The period between May and September is generally better and more comfortable for visiting, but keep in mind that in winter, especially at night, it can be cold.
  • The climate at Lüderitz and the southern coast is hospitable from February to May, but quite cool and misty year-round, and particularly windy in August.
  • From October to March is the best time to go to the coastal areas of Swakopmund, Walvis Bay and Henties Bay, as the weather is pleasant compared to the hot interior. When the dry easterly winds blow, however, it can also be very hot.
  • The northern Skeleton Coast has much the same moderate weather, with mist, wind and very little or no rain all year round. For fishing enthusiasts, this area is best visited between November and March.
  • In Kaokoland the best time to visit is from May to August, as it is dry and cool. The summer months bring extremely high temperatures and occasionally flash floods, as most rain falls between January and March.
  • The best time to visit Etosha is from April to September when the temperatures are tolerably cool, especially at night. This is also the best time for game viewing, as many animals gather at the waterholes to drink. For bird-watching, on the other hand, summer is the best time to visit, as migratory birds flock into the park after the summer rains.
  • The summer months are hot and humid in the northern regions of Kavango and Zambezi, but this is also the best time for birdwatching. Rains and seasonal flooding might make it difficult to travel there, as some of the tracks might be inaccessible. It is advisable to check the condition of the roads before embarking on a trip. The months from April to October are the best time to travel to the Zambezi Region for game viewing, as it is much cooler and drier then, with practically no rain.
  • April and May are pleasant months in Namibia. This is usually when the last rains of the season fall, the air is fresh and free of dust, and the land is green, vibrant and full of new life.
  • During the winter months from June to August the country cools down and nights can become quite cold. As it becomes drier, game migrates to the waterholes and is easier to spot.
  • By September and October it warms up again and game viewing in most areas is at its best, although there is often a lot of dust around and the vegetation has lost its vibrancy.
  • November is a highly variable month. Sometimes the hot, dry weather will continue, at other times it might be humid, the sky will fill with clouds, and the first thunderstorms and rains might occur.

TRAVEL DOCUMENTS

Foreign nationals must carry a passport that is valid for at least six months after the date of entry. A visa is required from all visitors except nationals of countries with which Namibia has the necessary visa abolition agreement.

  • No visas are required by bona fide South African passport holders travelling as tourists.
  • All other South African citizens, including business people, require visas.
  • Business visas are granted at the discretion of the immigration authorities.
  • Holidaymakers and tourists are welcome to remain in the country for 90 days.

The process for a UNIVISA (a common EU Schengen-style visa) by RETOSA (the Regional Tourism Organisation of Southern Africa) in conjunction with the relevant Southern African Development Community (SADC) documentation allowing the free movement of visitors from SADC countries within the SADC Region is still ongoing. www.mha.gov.na, www.retosa.co.za

Visas can be obtained from the Ministry of Home Affairs and at Namibian embassies.

Please note:

  • Immigration officials are authorised to grant duration of stay based on the information provided on the arrival form.
  • Tourists are advised to check their passports and documentation to ensure that the visa granted matches the duration of stay intended.
  • Tourist visas for visitors from 47 countries can be obtained on arrival at Hosea Kutako International Airport.
  • Visas can be extended only by applying at a Home Affairs Office, with prescribed fees applying.
  • If visitors to Namibia have tourist/holiday visas, they are not allowed to engage in any employment while in the country.
  • Visitors wishing to work in the country should apply for an employment permit in their country of residence prior to entry.
  • This also applies to study permits.

TIPS FOR TRAVELLING WITH CHILDREN

  • Arrive at your destination in the early afternoon to give your children an opportunity to work off their surplus energy.
  • Even in the middle of winter it is warm enough to swim in the middle of the day.
  • Children too young to take malaria prophylactics should not visit northern Namibia.
  • We recommend itineraries that include fewer destinations, with more time to spend on activities.
  • If the family is interested in conservation, make sure to include places with an education centre, rehabilitation programme or other conservation activities.
  • Visits to Living Museums are enjoyable for children, as guests are invited to join in the dancing and participate in everyday activities.
  • Keep in mind that destinations can be quite far from each other and children might become bored or frustrated on the road, so make sure they have enough to keep them busy. It is also advisable to stop frequently to stretch your legs and admire the surroundings.
  • Many accommodation facilities cater for children, but not all of them, so it is advisable to establish this when making a booking.
  • Depending on the age of the children, adventure activities such as quad-biking, dune-boarding and dolphin-watching can be a lot of fun.