By day Kaokoland is warm to hot and dry all year round. What little rain this coastal desert gets is both welcome and short-lived. Unlikely, in any event, to affect your itinerary.
In winter the nights and early mornings get cold to freezing but they remain dry. Rain falls in summer here unlike the Namib Desert to the south and the landscape turns marvellously lush soon after the first rains arrive; and returns to its traditional brown not long after they’ve dissipated.
Mid-summer and late spring can get hot - well above 40°C (105°F) in the middle of the day. We recommend autumn (fall) and winter from March to September as the best months to visit Kaokoland.
Weather: Peak summer, very hot with scattered thunderstorms.
Temperature: 20°C to 38°C.
Highlights: Occasional rains bring some greenery, but the heat and muddy roads can make travel challenging.
Weather: Hot and humid, with frequent afternoon showers.
Temperature: 19°C to 37°C.
Highlights: Rivers may flow after rains, and the landscape is lush, though road conditions can be tricky.
Weather: Late summer, slightly cooler with less rain.
Temperature: 18°C to 35°C.
Highlights: The landscape remains green, and wildlife starts to gather around receding water sources.
Weather: Transition to autumn, cooler and mostly dry.
Temperature: 15°C to 32°C.
Highlights: Ideal for travel as the rains taper off and the roads become more accessible.
Weather: Start of the dry season, mild days and cool nights.
Temperature: 10°C to 28°C.
Highlights: Comfortable weather for exploring, with wildlife becoming easier to spot.
Weather: Mid-winter, clear skies with cold nights and pleasant days.
Temperature: 8°C to 25°C.
Highlights: Perfect for outdoor activities, with excellent visibility and minimal rainfall.
Weather: Coldest month, with frosty mornings and sunny afternoons.
Temperature: 6°C to 24°C.
Highlights: Desert-adapted wildlife is active, and the dry season is in full swing.
Weather: Late winter, warming up with no rain.
Temperature: 8°C to 28°C.
Highlights: Great for off-road adventures and cultural visits to Himba villages.
Weather: Early spring, warm and dry.
Temperature: 12°C to 30°C.
Highlights: Wildlife congregates around water sources, and the weather is perfect for photography.
Weather: Hot and dry as summer approaches.
Temperature: 15°C to 35°C.
Highlights: Roads remain dry, but the heat increases, making early mornings and evenings the best times for activities.
Weather: Very hot, with the possibility of early rains.
Temperature: 18°C to 37°C.
Highlights: The landscape starts to change with the first rains, and wildlife is still active around water sources.
Weather: Peak summer, hot with occasional thunderstorms.
Temperature: 20°C to 38°C.
Highlights: Greenery begins to emerge, but the heat and rain can make travel more challenging.
