When is the best time to travel to Namibia?

Hi there, I’m planning a trip to Namibia in 2026. I’m torn between visiting the Fish River Canyon and the Caprivi Strip / Victoria Falls. I’d also love your advice on the best time to travel for wildlife viewing and pleasant weather. I haven’t chosen a tour operator yet... since I’m traveling solo, I’d prefer a small-group escorted trip. Has anyone traveled with a local agency and what’s your feedback or advice? Thanks so much!

I haven't chosen a tour operator yet either... since I'm traveling alone, I'd like to do a small-group escorted trip. Has anyone traveled with a national agency, and what's your opinion or advice? Thanks everyone.

Hello Jeanne,

I suggest checking out the website of Samsara Voyages: https://samsara-voyages.com/destination/voyage-en-namibie/

I’ve traveled to Namibia through this tour operator twice: very satisfied. You’ll find info about the country before seeing what they offer.

During the second trip (customized and as a couple), we went, among other places, to K.T.P., to Fish River Canyon (I loved it) and to the Namib.



The other time, we did the "Forgotten Trails of Kaokoland" circuit with them in a small group (a real treat, truly off the beaten tourist path).

Check out the website to get an idea.

Best regards,

Puma2A

A few personal photos of Fish River Canyon: that was in 2012. https://forum.image-nature.com/viewtopic.php?f=117&t=44516

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Hello, Thank you so much! I’ll take a closer look at that site. Could you let me know when you took these trips? Thanks again, have a great day

Can you tell me during which periods you took these trips?

For our most recent trip to Namibia (out of 4 stays in this country), it was in November 2012. We were EXTREMELY hot!!

All four of our stays in Namibia took place between September and early November.

During the "Kaokoland Tour," the local provider (from Samsara) was Damarana Safaris, a local agency founded and run by a Frenchwoman.

https://www.damarana.com/

The charming and very efficient driver-guide for this "Kaokoland Tour" has since started her own business, "DikDik Adventure Tours."

http://www.circuit-randonnee-trek-namibie.com

These are also two trustworthy companies whose websites you can visit.

For your info, during a safari trip in Botswana, the last 3 days were spent in Victoria Falls (in October, if I remember correctly). We saw the Victoria Falls with very little water flow. Mostly, I remember a country where extreme poverty reigned (and likely still does) due to the dictator at the time. It left a deep impression on us. The only really pleasant memory was a boat ride on the Zambezi at sunset (a classic tourist activity there). That was in 2001.

Happy planning and preparation! Best regards.

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Thanks for your tips.

Allibert, Atalante, Terre d'av, Huwans... There are plenty of options for traveling in a small group. I went in June 2023 with one of them. We slept in tents—the nights were really chilly.

Hello,

I never travel in a group, so I can’t answer the question about the tour operator.

However, here are some general tips:

- Group size (as few people as possible, max 20) - Transportation: no bus trips (minibus is okay) - Stay inside the parks, not outside, especially when visiting Etosha

About the climate:

- For Etosha: dry season, so avoid December to April. - For crowds: avoid July and August. - For hiking: not during the hot season, so avoid November to April (peak is December to February). - For comfortable nighttime temperatures: avoid June–July.

So, around September–October if you want to hike Fish River Canyon and go on safari in Etosha.

For Victoria Falls, the best season isn’t the same. It’s better during or after the rains, but that’s not great for wildlife in Etosha.

Personally, I really like Fish River Canyon and the south.

Victoria Falls is stunning too, but for a safari combo, it’s better to go to South Africa + Victoria Falls (wildlife is more abundant in South Africa year-round).

I’d also love to hear your thoughts on the best time to travel to see animals.

Hi,

When it comes to seeing animals, the same rule applies everywhere you go on safari. During the wet or rainy season, animals find water everywhere and are therefore less visible because they’re often far from the tracks where vehicles are allowed. Plus, in grassy regions, animals can be hidden by the tall grass. During the dry season, animals head to waterholes where water remains. That’s why the dry season gives you the best chance of spotting animals (Sept.–Nov. for Namibia, if I remember correctly). In the vast Etosha Reserve, water points (natural or artificial) are well-known and even mapped out. In Namibia, you can also see animals along "dry riverbeds" outside of heavy rain periods—especially the desert elephants, who know where water lies just beneath the sand and dig holes to drink. Other animals then use these holes too.

Cheers, Puma2A

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Correlating animals with the dry season isn’t true everywhere.

You can see animals year-round in Kruger, for example. I’ve been there regularly in both summer and winter, and it was pretty much the same. Personally, I even prefer the wet season because the vegetation is lush, whereas it’s pretty dreary during the southern winter.

In KTP, the best season isn’t during the southern winter.

At Etosha, the roads only cover a small part of the park—the area where the waterholes are during the dry season. Outside of that period, water is available elsewhere, so the animals aren’t necessarily visible.

I’d never seen so few animals in Etosha as I did in April...🤪

Hi there,

I can also recommend Objectif Nature: https://www.objectif-nature.fr/destinations/namibie/

Vincent Beccaro is a French specialist on Namibia. Have a great Sunday! Loïc

Hello,

For an organized trip, I wouldn’t be able to answer—I always go self-drive.

For the timing, Attila summed up the options really well. Personally, my two favorite periods are from mid-April to mid-May and from mid-September to mid-October.

Mid-April to mid-May: the rainy season is over, and even if the vegetation isn’t as green as in February, it’s still decent. Wildlife starts moving closer to waterholes, and there are plenty of babies or young adolescents around. The animals are also in great shape and active, so you’ll see some amazing scenes. Temperature-wise, it’s ideal—not as hot as the previous months and not yet as cold as June and July. Daylight hours are moderate (longer than in July/August). Plus, there are fewer crowds.

Mid-September to mid-October: the vegetation is very dry, so it looks a bit bleak, but you’ll spot wildlife more easily—it’s actually the best season for animal sightings since they’re near waterholes at the end of the dry season. However, they tend to be more static because food and water are starting to run low. Temperature-wise: it’s less cold and not yet as hot as in October/November. Daylight hours are moderate. It’s peak season, though, so expect more visitors.

As for choosing between Fish River Canyon and the Caprivi Strip: I’d go with the Caprivi Strip because the landscapes and wildlife are different from the rest of Namibia. The Caprivi has water, so you’ll find water-based animals like hippos, crocs, plenty of elephants, aquatic antelopes, and more birds.

Happy planning and have a great trip! 🙂