January–February
Hot (35°C+), wettest, lush, cheapest. Dramatic skies. Etosha game disperses but Caprivi flooded and impassable. Photographers' months.
March–April
Green season tail. Storms easing. Best photography light, lower rates, dramatic landscapes. Etosha still tricky for game but Damaraland is at its greenest.
May–June
The sweet spot. Dry, cool to mild, low crowds before July. Best overall combination of weather, wildlife, light, and price.
July–September
Peak season. Cold nights (0–4°C), perfect days, game at its best, sky cloudless. Book 9 months ahead.
October
Heat rising again (30°C+) but game viewing at its absolute peak. Lower crowds than July–Sep. Underrated month.
November–December
Early green season. Short afternoon storms. Babies in Etosha. Christmas school holidays push lodge rates up — book around them, not through them.
