Things to Do in Namibia in December
December weather, activities, events & insider tips
December Weather in Namibia
Is December Right for You?
Advantages
- Green Season landscapes transform the desert - December sits right at the start of Namibia's rainy season, meaning the typically brown savanna explodes into green. Etosha's salt pans fill with water, attracting massive flamingo colonies (sometimes 10,000+ birds), and the dunes around Sossusvlei develop surprising vegetation. Wildlife photography gets dramatically better with lush backgrounds instead of the usual dust.
- Baby animals everywhere - December through February is birthing season for most Namibian wildlife. You'll see springbok lambs, oryx calves, and if you're lucky, young predators learning to hunt. The timing works because animals drop young when food is abundant from the rains. Etosha becomes particularly rewarding as newborns stick close to waterholes.
- Fewer tourists than peak season - Most international visitors hit Namibia during the dry winter months (June-October). December sees maybe 40% fewer tourists than August, meaning you'll actually have Deadvlei and Dune 45 to yourself during sunrise. Accommodation prices drop 15-25% compared to July rates, and you can book quality lodges just 2-3 weeks out instead of the 6 months needed for winter.
- Dramatic storm photography - Those 10 rainy days create spectacular light. Desert thunderstorms roll across the horizon at sunset, creating conditions photographers pay thousands to catch. The contrast between dark storm clouds and red dunes is genuinely stunning, and lightning over the desert happens frequently enough that patient shooters get remarkable images.
Considerations
- Humidity makes heat feel more intense - That 70% humidity is unusual for Namibia and catches people off guard. At 35°C (96°F), the humidity makes it feel closer to 40°C (104°F) during midday. Coastal areas like Swakopmund stay cooler but get heavy fog, while inland areas like Windhoek get sticky afternoons. If you struggle with humid heat, this isn't your month.
- Afternoon storms disrupt outdoor plans - Those 10 rainy days are unpredictable. Storms typically hit between 2-5pm and can make dirt roads temporarily impassable, particularly in Damaraland and around Sossusvlei. You'll need flexible planning and should tackle key activities in the morning. Self-drivers need to watch for flash flooding in dry riverbeds, which happens fast and catches tourists every season.
- Some lodges and camps close for maintenance - December falls in the shoulder period when properties do annual repairs. Maybe 10-15% of smaller camps shut down, particularly in more remote areas like the Skeleton Coast and Kaokoveld. The major lodges stay open, but you'll have fewer boutique options than during peak season.
Best Activities in December
Etosha National Park game drives
December is actually brilliant for Etosha despite being green season. The waterholes become magnets for wildlife because animals are dispersed across the park with the rains - but they still need to drink daily. You'll see excellent predator action as lions and leopards stake out the remaining reliable water sources. Early morning drives (6-9am) and late afternoon sessions (4-6:30pm) work best before the heat peaks. The green vegetation means animals are healthier and more active than the exhausted creatures you see in bone-dry October. Birdwatching reaches its peak with migrants present and breeding plumage on display.
Sossusvlei dune climbing and photography
The iconic red dunes are spectacular in December, particularly because you'll have them relatively empty. Dune 45 and Big Daddy see maybe a dozen people at sunrise versus the 100+ in July. The key is timing - you must start your climb by 6am before temperatures spike. By 10am it's genuinely too hot to be climbing 170m (558 ft) sand dunes in that humidity. December storms create dramatic cloud formations that make for incredible photography, and occasional rain darkens the dune sand to deep crimson. Deadvlei's dead trees photograph beautifully against stormy skies. The downside is afternoon heat haze ruins distance shots after 11am.
Swakopmund adventure activities
Swakopmund becomes your refuge when inland temperatures hit 35°C (96°F). Coastal fog keeps this German colonial town around 20-24°C (68-75°F) most days, making it perfect for active pursuits. December is prime season for sandboarding the dunes just outside town, quad biking across the desert, and skydiving over the Skeleton Coast. The fog creates moody atmospheric conditions that look incredible from the air. Kayaking with Cape fur seals at Walvis Bay works year-round but December's calmer seas make it more reliable. The town itself offers excellent German bakeries and seafood restaurants worth a rest day.
Damaraland desert elephant tracking
December is actually one of the better months to find Damaraland's desert-adapted elephants because they concentrate around the few permanent water sources as temperatures rise. These elephants are genetically identical to other African elephants but have learned to survive in extreme desert conditions, traveling up to 70 km (43 miles) between water sources. Tracking them on foot with experienced guides is genuinely thrilling - you're following fresh spoor through dry riverbeds and rocky terrain. The landscape is dramatic and otherworldly, with ancient rock formations and the occasional desert lion sighting. That said, midday heat makes this a morning-only activity.
Windhoek cultural and historical exploration
Most visitors skip Windhoek entirely or spend just one night, which is a mistake. December is actually pleasant for exploring the capital - mornings are comfortable around 20°C (68°F) and you can duck into museums and restaurants during hot afternoons. The Independence Memorial Museum offers crucial context for understanding modern Namibia, and the Alte Feste fort provides German colonial history. The Katutura township tours give genuine insight into contemporary Namibian life beyond the tourist circuit. Joe's Beerhouse and craft breweries showcase the country's excellent beer scene. The Namibia Craft Centre sells authentic local crafts at fair prices, far better than airport shops.
Fish River Canyon hiking viewpoints
Fish River Canyon is the second largest canyon in the world after the Grand Canyon, and December offers spectacular storm light for photography. The famous multi-day canyon hike is closed in December due to flash flood risk and heat, but the viewpoint drives along the rim are stunning. Those afternoon thunderstorms create dramatic lighting across the 160 km (99 mile) long canyon, and you'll have the viewpoints nearly empty. The scale is genuinely breathtaking - 550m (1,804 ft) deep in places. Sunrise and sunset are the money shots, with the canyon walls glowing orange and red. The nearby Ai-Ais hot springs resort offers a relaxing soak after dusty driving.
December Events & Festivals
Windhoek Karneval (WIKA)
This is Namibia's biggest street party, a legacy of German colonial influence that's evolved into a distinctly Namibian celebration. Expect elaborate costumes, street parades, live music, and serious beer consumption. The event takes over downtown Windhoek for several days with multiple stages and events. It's colorful chaos and genuinely fun if you're in town during the right week. Hotels book solid during WIKA, so if you're planning to attend, reserve accommodation 6-8 weeks ahead.