Things to Do in Namibia in December
December weather, activities, events & insider tips
Low Season · Budget Friendly
December Weather in Namibia
Temperature, rainfall and humidity at a glance
87°F (30°C)
High Temp
62°F (16°C)
Low Temp
1.6 inches (41 mm)
Rainfall
70%
Humidity
Is December Right for You?
Weigh the advantages and considerations before booking
Advantages
- + When the rains finally arrive, Namibia becomes something the dry season never allows. Thunderstorms sweep over Sossusvlei's dunes at dusk, the anvil clouds catching the last light in shades of purple and burnt orange, and the ochre sand darkens to copper-red beneath a sky that seems changed somehow, though it isn't. The desert floor, pale and cracked in August, takes on a faint green tinge as short-lived plants sprout within days of the first drops. For photographers, December probably offers the most dramatic Namibia you'll ever see.
- + In December, Etosha National Park brings newborn wildebeest calves, zebra foals, and springbok lambs clustering near waterholes, and where there are young animals, lions and cheetahs usually follow. The predator-prey drama runs more intense and more visible in early green season than anything the August crowds witness. Stay at Okaukuejo Camp and watch the floodlit waterhole after dark: lions come to drink while impala freeze at the edge, and you can feel the tension even from the concrete viewing area 30 m (98 ft) back.
- + The Skeleton Coast and Swakopmund remain reliably cool through December. The cold Benguela Current rising from the South Atlantic holds coastal temperatures at 15-22°C (59-72°F) even as Sossusvlei roasts at 42°C (108°F) some 450 km (280 miles) inland. If the central desert heat poses a problem, and it does for some travelers, Swakopmund and the coastal dunes provide genuine relief, with Atlantic fog rolling in most mornings to give the German colonial buildings their characteristic grey-and-gold mood.
- + December may be Namibia's finest month for birdwatching. Palearctic migrants arrive to join resident species, European rollers with their improbable turquoise wings, Montagu's harriers, migrant storks, and the temporary pans of the Zambezi Region fill with water, attracting pelicans, flamingos, and African skimmers in numbers absent during the dry season. Waders and shorebirds return to the edges of Etosha's pan after months away.
Considerations
- − Fish River Canyon hiking shuts completely from October 15 through March 15. The 86 km (53.4-mile) trail through Africa's largest canyon closes due to flash flood danger and temperatures that regularly climb past 40°C (104°F) in the gorge. If hiking the canyon is your main reason for coming to Namibia, as it is for many, December is simply the wrong month. No exceptions, no workarounds, no partial routes available during closure.
- − December and January mark Namibia's priciest months. Christmas and New Year demand pushes lodge and camp rates to their yearly high, around Etosha and Sossusvlei. Properties you could book with a few weeks' notice in May are full 3-4 months ahead in December, and any rooms left at short notice carry a heavy premium. Budget travelers who haven't planned far ahead often end up with lesser options costing what excellent ones would run in shoulder season.
- − The interior heat poses a genuine physical test. Official weather data usually reflects milder conditions. In Sossusvlei's bowl between the dunes, midday air temperatures commonly reach 42-45°C (108-113°F), and sand surfaces hit 70°C (158°F). Realistically, activity there only works between 5:30 AM and 9 AM, then again from 5 PM onward. First-timers who dismiss this timing and arrive at 11 AM often retreat within 20 minutes, having driven 70 km (43.5 miles) on gravel from the nearest place to stay.
Best Activities in December
Top things to do during your visit
December in Namibia is a sharp contrast. Windhoek air feels thick and warm. It carries the scent of dust and a promise of late storms. Afternoons are intense. Temperatures often climb to uncomfortable highs. Evenings cool quickly, though, as the sun drops. Local life pivots toward celebration. You will see families gathering. You will hear German and Afrikaans alongside Oshiwambo in the markets. The month has two distinct poles. One is the Windhoek Weihnachtsmarkt. The scent of glühwein and roasting bratwurst fills the air under a hot sun. The other is the mass exodus to Swakopmund for New Year's. There, you will feel a cool Atlantic breeze. You will hear fireworks crackle over the beach at midnight. Plan carefully. Accommodations in coastal towns like Swakopmund are often reserved many months in advance.
5 Days Swakopmund and Sossusvlei | Guided Lodge
guided_experienceThis five-day guided journey moves from Swakopmund's cool, fog-laden coast into the Namib Desert. It ends at the red dunes of Sossusvlei. You will feel a temperature shift. It goes from a damp coastal chill to a dry, oven-like desert heat. You will see the landscape transform. Colonial German architecture gives way to some of the oldest dunes on Earth. The trip allows for easy, unhurried time in two well-known regions.
This itinerary delivers Namibia's essential contrasts. It goes from the Atlantic's cool breath to the desert's silent heart.
Insider tip: Pack layers. The December morning chill on the Swakopmund coast is real. The midday desert heat at Sossusvlei is intense.
10 Day Discover Namibia Small Group Safari
otherOver ten days, a small group travels from the red Kalahari sands to the Skeleton Coast. It goes through Damaraland's rock formations and into Etosha National Park. You will hear lions roar at a waterhole. You will see welwitschia plants clinging to life. You will smell the salty Atlantic. This circuit shows the vast scale and ecological variety of the country.
It has a complete, social introduction to Namibia's geographic and wildlife variety.
Insider tip: The small group size means quicker decisions. Have your camera ready at all times.
6 Day Private Guided Accommodated Namibian Loop
private_tourThis six-day private loop goes through central Namibia. It includes the Namib-Naukluft Park, Swakopmund, and Damaraland. You will taste fresh oysters at a Swakopmund waterfront cafe. You will see the moon-like Welwitschia Drive. You will feel desert sand on a walk to ancient rock engravings. A private guide allows for detours based on your interests.
The private format makes a standard route personal. You can linger where the landscape captivates you.
Insider tip: Request a stop at the Kristall Galerie in Swakopmund. See the world's largest quartz crystal.
Private 11-Day Tour Self-Drive for Beginners Safari in Namibia
guided_experienceThis eleven-day self-drive tour is for first-time visitors. It offers adventure with the security of a planned route. You will steer a 4x4 on gravel roads through empty plains and mountain passes. You will follow roadbooks to lodges near Etosha and Sossusvlei. The experience means independence. You will see oryx silhouetted against a setting sun from your own vehicle.
It provides the classic Namibian experience of self-reliant desert travel. There is no logistical anxiety.
Insider tip: Download offline maps for the entire route before departure. Cellular service is non-existent on long stretches between towns.
10-Day Private Yoga Adventure in Namibia
otherThis ten-day journey blends daily yoga with Namibia's serene landscapes. It goes from the Namib Desert to the Kalahari. You will feel warm sand underfoot at sunrise. You will hear only the wind and your own breath. You will see the deep colors of the desert at dawn and dusk. The trip focuses on wellness and connection. It has a slower, more reflective way to travel.
It redefines adventure travel. It pairs physical activity with profound stillness in tranquil settings.
Insider tip: Bring a journal. The spaces between activities are as impactful as the activities themselves.
Where to Stay in Namibia in December
Hand-picked hotels across price tiers for December travellers.
December Events & Festivals
What's happening during your visit
Early to Mid December
Windhoek Weihnachtsmarkt (Christmas Market)
Windhoek's German roots are deep enough that the city has staged a Christmas market since the 1960s. Stalls go up around Post Street Mall every December, selling bratwurst, glühwein (served hot even when it's 30 °C), stollen, and local crafts. Decorating a pine tree while the sun still burns overhead feels upside-down, but German-Namibians turn out in force and the tradition has spread. By 6 p.m. the air has cooled to 18, 20 °C, so wandering between the stalls is comfortable.
Late December
New Year's Eve in Swakopmund
Most Namibians head for Swakopmund on 31 December. The cool Atlantic front, colonial German architecture, and midnight fireworks on the beach create a party you won't find elsewhere in the country. Waterfront restaurants and guesthouses sell tickets to set-menu evenings, and the town's population doubles for the week. If you stay in Windhoek, Joe's Beerhouse, open since the 1980s under a giant fig tree, throws its own New Year bash. Book rooms 4, 5 months ahead; Swakopmund beachfront properties are usually full by August.
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View Namibia Packing List →Essential Tips
Insider knowledge and common pitfalls to avoid
Insider Knowledge
Expect to spend most of your driving time on gravel D-roads, Namibia has 44 000 km of gravel versus 8 000 km of tar. In December, washboard corrugation is worst at 100, 120 km/h, the speed that feels natural on a straight, empty track. Drop to 60, 80 km/h to save your suspension and nerves. After heavy rain, the surface looks firm but turns to slick clay, on bends. If the sky opens up, pull over and wait 30, 60 minutes before continuing.
All three NWR camps in Etosha, Okaukuejo, Halali, Namutoni, have floodlit waterholes just outside the fence. You can watch animals without a vehicle. December evenings, when predators target newborn prey, produce some of the best sightings between 8 PM and midnight. Bring a chair, a thermos, and settle in. Guests at the pricey lodges outside the park often miss this while they're at long dinners.
The gate to Sossusvlei opens at sunrise, about 5:30 AM in December. From the car park to Dead Vlei is 1.5 km of soft sand each way. Budget enough time to walk and return before the heat spikes. If you're in a 4WD, drive the last 5 km past the 2WD lot and skip the shuttle queue.
Give Windhoek more than a single night. December evenings in Katutura, the township northwest of downtown, buzz around the Single Quarter market and open-air braai stands. Try kapana, beef sliced and grilled on the spot, served in a bread roll with chili and onions, plus offal cuts you won't find on Independence Avenue menus. Go with a local guide who knows the stalls and the stories.
Avoid These Mistakes
Don't plan to hike Fish River Canyon. The 86 km trail closes from 15 October to 15 March every year. You can still drive the rim viewpoints in December. But the multi-day gorge walk is off-limits. Some websites bury the closure notice, confirm dates before you lock in plans.
Don't misjudge distances or road quality. Namibia is about the size of France and Spain together. Windhoek to Sossusvlei via the C19 is 340 km and takes 4, 5 hours; Windhoek to Etosha's Anderson Gate is 430 km and needs 4.5, 5.5 hours on mixed tar and gravel. Trying to squeeze both into 4, 5 days leaves you behind the wheel most of the trip. Allow 7, 10 days for a Windhoek, Etosha, Sossusvlei loop, and add extra time in December for roads that may close after storms.
Plan outdoor activities for early morning in the desert interior. The weather figures here are for shade. Direct sunlight and heat bouncing off the sand raise the real temperature a lot. Tours that reach Sossusvlei at 10 AM or later, the norm for day trips from outside the concession, begin in heat that is risky for long walks. Reserve a lodge inside the Sossusvlei concession if the dunes are the focus of your trip, or pick tours that promise arrival before 7:30 AM.
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