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When Is the Best Time to Travel to Namibia?

When Is the Best Time to Travel to Namibia?

Namibia is very diverse and large country, causing big differences in weather and temperatures in different regions. The South is always dry and hot, while the North is usually wet and colder. The weather also changes a lot during the year, but in every season the country has its own charm. So, when is it the best to go to Namibia for photographers?

Namibian Spring (September to November)

Spring boasts a mild climate. In the south of the country and in deserts, the temperatures move in a comfortable range of 25-35 ° C. In the higher-lying areas in the center of the country and in the north, the temperatures may be even 5 to 10 degrees lower. The weather is usually sunny with occasional photogenic clouds, ideal for landscape photographers. Due to intermittent rainfall, the landscape is very green and picturesque.

For lovers of wildlife photography, springtime is the best time to capture newborn and young animals. Although it is relatively hard to spot them especially due to green landscape and tree and brush foliage, the more unique photos you can capture.

 

Namib Desert
Namib Desert

Namibian Summer (December to February)

Summer in Namibia is hot, especially in the drier and low-lying areas. In the deserts and in the south, be prepared for temperatures around 100+ °F. The weather in the whole country is dry, sunny with cloudless sky.

From the photographic perspective, summer is the best time for wildlife photography. The animals gather around water holes and there is also minimum foliage on the plants that could make the visibility harder.  It’s easiest to photograph large herds and felines in the Etosha National Park or elephants, hippos and rhinos in Cape Corn.

There is more locals travelling by summer because of holidays!

 

Okonjima cheetah reserve
Okonjima cheetah reserve

Namibian Autumn (March to May)

Temperatures are returned to the pleasant range as in the spring. In autumn, there is greatest chance of precipitation. The showers are not very frequent, however usually very hearty. The landscape turns green, so it is true landscape photographer’s paradise. Even in the Namib desert, the storms may occur, which offers truly unique shots.

Kalahari Red Dunes Lodge
Kalahari Red Dunes Lodge

Namibian Winter – rain season (June to August)

Although the day temperatures in most parts of the country will be around pleasant 70 ° F, the night temperatures drop to zero. In some parts of the country, even the snow or frost may be occasionally spotted.

From the photographic perspective, winter is best time for shooting in the deserts and the south areas of the country.

South Namibia
South Namibia

So, When Is the Best Time to Travel to Namibia?

Namibia sure is beautiful all year round. Personally, I prefer to travel to Namibia in either November or March. These times make it a great escape from the chilly weather in the Northern Hemisphere and the weather in Namibia offers the richest mix of landscape and wildlife photography opportunities.

Namibia travel guide by Fripito
Namibia travel guide by Fripito

Want to know more about Namibia? You could use a guide? Try our travel photography guide to Namibia. You can get it for 50% off during the week of November 7.- 13. 11.

 

 

5 Essential tips How to Take Photos in the Desert

5 Essential tips How to Take Photos in the Desert

There is something magical about taking photos of desert dunes. The combination of geometry, elegance and the colors makes it one of my favorite photo locations. During my career, I’ve taken photos in deserts of five continents and I try to shoot in deserts at least twice a year. Here are few of my tips how to enjoy desert photography and Take Photos in the Desert.

 

1. Right Timing for Take Photos in the Desert

It’s the key for desert photography. First step is choosing the right season – cooler months with bearable temperatures that allow longer period of time spent outside shooting. When you visit Death Valley in July, you can expect daytime temperatures approaching 120 ° F and night temperatures around 90 ° F. But when you go in January or February, you can enjoy the shoot with pleasant 70 ° F.

Furthermore, it always pays off to look for special occasions. I’ve experienced rain in the Namib desert, photographed the desert animal cubs in Atacama or blooming wildflowers in Death Valley.

Take photos at the Desert
Take Photos in the Desert, Photo: J Brezina

2. Perfect Light

Photography is a play of light and shadows which is very true when shooting in desert. If you want to capture the dunes lines or the structure of undulating sand, you need low light. The best time for that is usually about an hour after sunrise and about an hour before sunset.

In the morning, the air is cooler and usually cleaner, so the photos are sharper. I usually try to get up early and head out before sunrise and climb up the highest peak in the area. In the evening, the air is hot and often full of dust. The haze, shimmering air and dust reflect and refract light so the pictures are more colorful with more atmosphere, but are less sharp.

Take photos at Desert
Take Photos in the Desert, Photo: J Brezina

3. Finding Structures

When shooting in the deserts, I try to avoid taking pictures with the sun behind me. In such images, the shadows are not visible, so you lose both contours and structures. Side light and backlight are interesting options, the shadows are forming lines and underline structures.

Beware direct backlight as any contaminants can cause glares on the lens. It pays off to have brush ready to remove eventual dust from the lens.

Take photos at Desert
Take Photos in the Desert, Photo: J Brezina

4. Equipment Protection

Deserts are very dusty although it might not be apparent at first. Try to minimize interchanging lenses, memory cards and batteries as each opening of the camera means dust getting inside. My way to deal with this is to have two cameras ready, one with ultra wide angle lens for large landscapes and second one with telephoto lens for details. If you have to change the lens, then get inside a car and wait at least half an hour until the dust settles.

Take photos at Desert
Take Photos in the Desert, Photo: J Brezina

5. Protect Yourself As Well

It is very important not to underestimate the risks associated with overheating. This is true both for the photographer and equipment. Always have plenty of water, do not overestimate your strength ad try to use sun protective clothes and sunblock. Try to protect the equipment from overheating. It happened to me many times that overheated camera turned off automatically and overheated lens stopped focusing.

Take photos at Desert
Take Photos in the Desert, Photo: J Brezina

Shooting in the desert is beautiful and it truly is one of my favorites. If you are considering desert photography, find your inspiration in the guides available within Fripito app. Download Fripito travel photography guides for iOS or Android.