Temperature: 31ºC maximum; 16ºC minimum
Season: dry season/winter
Flight duration from UK: 10 hours 30 minutes
Time difference: GMT+1
Namibia’s vast and remote landscapes are some of the most magnificent on the planet. Mountain dunes, empty desert as far as the eye can see, untouched savannah where the greatest of African wildlife roam: elephants, lions, leopards, cheetahs, hippos, rhinos, giraffes. In recent years, a slew of new luxury camps have allowed wildlife lovers to discover the most remote stretches of this country. While November marks the start of the rains in Namibia, that’s not necessarily a bad thing in terms of wildlife diversity and spectacle.
“November is an interesting month for much of southern Africa. It’s a transitional period that gives travellers an incredible experience of the end of the dry season and the spectacular arrival of the rains,” says Chris McIntyre, founder of specialist tour operator Africa Expert. At the end of the dry season, wildlife congregates around waterholes in places like Etosha National Park. Then, when the rains come and storm clouds gather over the mountains and plains, the landscapes begin to bloom again.
“The return of the land to green is followed by an explosion of life, with more and more insects, reptiles, amphibians and migratory birds,” says McIntyre. And since it’s the low season, prices are also very low.
Where to stay: Many of Namibia’s incredible new lodges are eco-friendly, have a minimal ecological footprint and work with local communities and conservation groups. In the Huab River Valley, Damaraland Camp is a pioneer in community tourism – a partnership between Wilderness Safaris and the local Torra Conservancy. Hoanib Valley Camp works with the local community and the Giraffe Conservation Foundation. Africa Expert can arrange tailor-made itineraries in Namibia. We also like Namibia Habitatsa wellness-focused, people-centered safari camp.
