I am trying to put together my first safari to Namibia next year. My preferred month to go was going to be June, but is seems that time is booked with the outfits I am interested in. One of them does have the first 2 weeks of May open. As this is my first safari I am trying to over analyze just about everything so I am wondering if this a good time to go. What kind of temps can I expect? I am worried about it being to hot. Are there any worries of rain during that time? Any help and encouragement would be appreciated. Thanks.

wyatt:
I hunted in Namibia East of Windhoek the last 2 weeks in May. It got down to about 40F at night and up to 60F during the day. Its cool in the back of a pickup in the mornings. I wore a sweatshirt and a coat until about 10 A.M. Take extra clothes, better to have to much rather than not enough. Take a broad brim hat. The sun during the middle of the day will blister you. Take Sunscreen and Lipbalm. Not many bugs out that time of year. Hope this helps.

Wyatt,
I don't know if this is close enough to your question to help, but we hunted an hour southeast of Windhoek last year in mid-April.
It got down to the low 60'sF at night and up in the low 80'sF during the day. It was quite sunny and although we had a couple threats of thundershowers, they never materialized.
We saw basically no insects.
I believe a lot of people like June for the even better weather and the kudu rut but I could be wrong. We had no problem finding plenty of good kudu in April.
You'll have a great time.

Kyler

No problem with the weather that time of year. Only thing is there could still be a lot of water lying about so the game will be dispersed. Also, it's hot from 11 to 3 or so, and the game will lie down for most of that time. Depending on where you go and the rains, the grass could be pretty high too providing good cover.

There are many properties in Nambia and there isn't that much to choose betweeen them unless you are after leopard or something exotic. So my advice would be to cast the net a little wider.

Wyatt,

Windhoek is in the Centraal Highlands of Namibia, the airport there is at 5,640 ft altitude. Katima Mulilo in the Caprivi in the north is 3,230 ft.

I don't know exactly where you will be hunting, but I expect you will have enough altitude so it won't be too warm in May.

jim dodd

May will be a good time, there is a chance of very late rain but the chances are remore, We start hunting in May on our farms and don't have problems with game, we see just as much game as any other non raining months. If I were you I will take it, it should not be that cold yet but put in a couple of warm jackets and so on, it can be very chilly some night.

Wyatt:
A little more info. No shots or Visa is required for Namibia. If you can arrange it, fly direct from Frankfurt or Amsterdam to Windhoek. Air Namibia makes the flight. The customs at Namibia are no problem. We went through Joburg and it is a pain with rifles. I guess it is worse after July 1. We also were charged $100 dollars each overweight from Joburg/Windhoek and the same returning. I forget what the weight limit is but my Sons 2 rifle Pelican case was at that limit.
The only high fence we saw in Namibia was one with Eland in it. The farmer was reintroducing them and used the small enclosure to accustom them to the area. Then he turns them loose. All other fences were cattle fences, the animals either go under or over them at will.
We saw more Kudu and Oryx in one day in Namibia than we saw in 8 days in RSA. We weren't looking for Rowland Ward animals, just better than average. My Hartbeest went Rowland Ward and I think my Sons Kudu did also. If you wanted to take the time I'm sure you could get some really big animals. Our Kudu, Oryx and Hartebeast were way above average. I have some pics on the Hunting Reports-Africa under Back from Africa, if you want to see them.
The Trophy fees were cheaper in Namibia than RSA.
Here is some 1993 prices we paid.....
Kudu...$750
Oryx...$420
Hartbeest...$480
Duiker...$200
Springbok...$310
Jackal...FREE
Birds....FREE
The PH we hunted with is a one man, one tracker, one dog operation. He was born and raised in the area and knows all the farmers. He doesn't use any outfitters and most of his clients are from Europe. We were the second Americans he had ever hunted with.
We had a great time and may be there next year about the same time as you are. The Kudu rut is in May.
Good Luck!

I guess I'll dissent here. I thought mid-June in northern Namibia (near Etosha) was pretty warm (at least for hunting). Mornings were probably about 40F, but afternoons were likely upper 70s to low 80s. I would expect something similar, if not a bit warmer, in May. Down south (we hunted places about an hour either side of Windhoek) was much cooler, with a couple mornings being downright cold. If you don't mind sweating a little, you'll be fine up north in May. And like was said before, that's the kudu rut.

Although the country of Namibia requires no shots for entry, you are advised to get Hep A and B, tetanus (of course), typhoid, and malaria (especially earlier in the year when it's warmer and there is more water about). If you're near water, yellow fever vaccination might be recommended too. Your outfitter should be able to advise you on this.

Namibia is a great country with some fine hunting (in my limited experience). I'm sure you'll enjoy yourself, even if you do sweat a little!

Wyattd,

Go for it

I have hunted the north of Namibia twice,once in June(2004) and once in August(2002).I much preferred the later dates.This June the grass was still quite high and green as the late April rains were very good this year.Also there was quite a bit of water still in the bush and the animals were very much dispersed.With good wet green browse and water everywhere the animals did not need to move about as much.In August the bush had dried out and the water holes for the most part were limited to the permanent ones.The grass was short and dry and game was more visible.Temperature was cool in the mornings with no humidity and warmed up nicely as the day wore on.Back in a sweater for the truck ride home in the evening.

There is a reason the June-August hunts fill up first.The repeat hunters know the best times to go and they book first.My advice is to look for July or August dates.My Ph east of Grootfontein tells me it has been quite cool this last week (he wore long pants to hunt).