Namibia in July

July to October is peak season in Namibia. There’s practically no rainfall across the country and although the coasts remain hot during the day, inland temperatures are at their lowest and the nights regularly drop below zero in the interior. Although Etosha and Sossusvlei can be busy, the rest of Namibia is so vast it rarely feels crowded elsewhere. July remains a good time to explore Damaraland and Kaokoland, which are also at their best during the cooler months. By July, any remaining greenery will have faded, but the riverbeds will be completely dry and navigable. In Etosha National Park the animals are now completely reliant on the permanent pools, and large herds of elephant, zebra, giraffe and oryx can be seen crowding the waterholes as they all try to drink at once. With such easy pickings, the lions and other predators are seldom far away. Things can get very lively when they get hungry, or also need a drink. In the Zambezi Region, the water level continues to drop and conditions for tiger fishing remain excellent. Wildlife viewing is also at its best from June to September. The thicker vegetation makes the animals harder to spot than in Etosha, but at this time of year the bush is at its thinnest and you’re sure to see elephant, giraffe, hippo and buffalo, as well as large herds of zebra and numerous species of antelope. Predators are less common than in Etosha, but the appeal of the Zambezi Region is its wild isolation. There’s a feeling of being immersed in a true wilderness that you won’t find on the pans. July remains a good time to explore Damaraland and Kaokoland, which are also at their best during the cooler months. By July, any remaining greenery will have faded, but the riverbeds will be completely dry and navigable.