Skeleton Coast & Kaokoland

The Skeleton Coast experiences its rainy season in January, though precipitation remains sparse in this desert environment. The Ugab River and other ephemeral rivers may briefly come to life, creating a spectacle in the usually arid landscape. Despite the rain, temperatures can still reach around 30°C/86°F.

The greening landscape makes a refreshing change, especially in desert dune seas. Migrant species arrive in force, making it an excellent time for birdwatching along the coast and in areas like the Swakop River. In the northern part of the Skeleton Coast National Park, where rains are more reliable, desert animals look healthy, with shiny coats, due to the abundance of food.

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February is typically the wettest month on the Skeleton Coast, though rainfall remains patchy. The central highlands near the park's eastern border and the Kunene River region can see heavier rain. Some February days are clear and hot, while others are cooler with building clouds, sometimes culminating in short, spectacular thunderstorms. These storms can generate flash floods in the park's ephemeral rivers, bringing them dramatically to life.

The landscape feels green and alive, with insects and smaller animals more easily seen. Many birds and animals in the Skeleton Coast National Park are raising their young during this time. However, the formation of small pools in the bush and thicker vegetation can make it challenging to spot larger wildlife as they disperse with easy to access water, especially in the northern sections of the park.

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March usually sees the Skeleton Coast's main rains tailing off, though precipitation varies across the park. Many days are clear with strong sun, while others may end with short, spectacular thunderstorms, particularly in the inland areas. These storms reduce in frequency as the month progresses.

The landscape often appears vivid and green, especially around the Ugab and Hoanib rivers. Many birds and animals are finishing raising their young, so smaller animals and insects are in evidence. In the northern part of the Skeleton Coast National Park, where rains are generally heavier, pools in the bush and thicker vegetation can make it difficult to spot larger animals. However, this is an excellent time to observe desert-adapted wildlife thriving in the temporarily lush environment.

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April typically brings dry weather to the Skeleton Coast, with an ever-decreasing chance of rain. Temperatures fall below their summer peak but remain pleasant and warm during the day. Nights might have a slight chill, especially in desert areas. The rains usually leave many parts of the park verdant and green, so animals are in fantastic condition, often with fast-growing young in attendance.

With less dust in the atmosphere, photographers can capture clear shots of spectacular landscapes and healthy animals. Stargazing becomes increasingly rewarding as the month progresses. In the northern sections of the Skeleton Coast National Park, water and food remain in plentiful supply, so finding big game can be trickier than later in the year. However, this is an excellent time for observing a wide variety of wildlife.

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By May, the Skeleton Coast is usually drying out fast. If the rains have been good, the land remains green, but wildlife starts to congregate at more permanent water sources like the Hoanib and Uniab rivers. Typical days are warm with crisp, clear mornings and blue skies. Evenings are usually cool, with temperatures potentially dipping below 10°C/50°F overnight, especially in desert areas.

The air quality and clarity can be amazing, making this an ideal month for photography of the park's dramatic landscapes. Many lodges still charge low season prices, although some have started to introduce higher shoulder season rates. May's good-value rates, increasingly good wildlife sightings, beautiful landscapes, and crystal-clear air combine to make this one of the best months to visit the Skeleton Coast.

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June brings dry conditions to the Skeleton Coast. Skies are blue and usually largely cloudless. Days are lovely, warm, and dry; nights are cold, sometimes below freezing in desert areas. Most swimming pools at lodges are outdoors and too cold for all except the very dedicated. Warm clothing is essential for early morning and late evening nature drives.

In the northern part of the Skeleton Coast National Park, wildlife viewing enters its dry-season pattern, focusing around water sources. Photographers come to the area for the superb air clarity, with minimal dust or smoke. The Cape Cross Seal Colony becomes increasingly active as the young seals join parents on fishing trips. Historically, June rates have been low, but with increasing popularity, many lodges now count it amongst their high-season months.

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July brings usually warm daytime temperatures upwards of 20°C/68°F to the Skeleton Coast, along with good sightings of desert-adapted wildlife such as elephants, giraffe, oryx, jackals and perhaps even lion. Watching elephants climb hillside dunes is often a highlight! Rain is very unusual, and clear skies make for great photographs of the stark desert landscapes.

Once the sun sets, temperatures cool rapidly, bringing cold nights that may dip below freezing in desert areas. Visitors should dress in layers and be prepared for cold early-morning and late-afternoon drives. Across the park, lodges charge high season rates; many are fully booked a year or more in advance, especially during European school holidays from the latter half of July to late August.

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August marks the height of winter on the Skeleton Coast. Expect cloudless skies and plenty of warm sun during the day, but nights can drop to freezing in desert areas. Visitors should dress in layers and bring warm clothes for chilly mornings and evenings. It's usually been 3-4 months since any significant rain, so the land is dry with only specialist desert plants standing out in their greenery. Many landscapes appear sparse and harsh, showcasing the raw beauty of the Skeleton Coast. Desert-adapted wildlife stays close to available water sources, helping to guarantee good animal sightings, particularly in the northern part of the park.

August is the most popular time to visit, especially for families. Advance booking is essential, often over a year in advance, for stays at the best lodges within the Skeleton Coast National Park.

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September brings blue, cloudless skies and fantastic desert-adapted wildlife viewing to the Skeleton Coast. Rain is almost unheard of during this month. As September progresses, both days and nights get warmer. In some areas, daily maximums can reach the low 30s Celsius / mid 80s Fahrenheit, although low humidity ensures this feels comfortable.

The air becomes dustier, occasionally augmented by smoke from distant fires, creating a hazy atmosphere that can challenge photographers - though atmospheric sunsets are a delight. In the Skeleton Coast National Park, animals stay close to remaining water sources, making September one of the best months for viewing desert animals such as elephants, oryx and even lion. Consequently, September is one of the Skeleton Coast's most popular months for visitors. Seeing how remote communities exist in this barren setting is often a highlight.

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October is usually the hottest and driest month on the Skeleton Coast. Temperatures build as the month progresses; towards the end, daily highs may exceed 40°C/104°F, though the low humidity makes even this heat bearable. In exceptional years, isolated rain showers may fall in late October. More usually, the end of the dry season sees wildlife watching at its best, particularly in the northern part of the Skeleton Coast National Park. Sightings of unusual species such as brown hyena and desert lion become more regular as the animals have limited water sources.

October is popular among landscape and unique wildlife enthusiasts and commands peak-season prices, even if dust and smoke may make the air hazy, challenging photographers. Visitor numbers can fade towards the end of the month, allowing a window for last-minute bookings at some lodges.

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November is unpredictable on the Skeleton Coast; sometimes dry and hot, sometimes cloudier and cooler. Typically, mornings are hot and cloudless, with clouds appearing in the afternoon. Humidity builds and eventually breaks, resulting in spectacular thunderstorms that bring convection rainfall in late afternoons. Such storms are typically sparsely distributed and highly localised, being completely absent from the most arid desert areas. Places that do get good rain, like the Hoanib and Uniab river valleys, flush green with a tangible feeling of new life, softening the harsh landscapes.

Many mammals give birth to their young during this period. Once the rains come, wildlife disperses in search of food, and game viewing in the northern part of the Skeleton Coast National Park becomes more challenging. However, this is a great time for birdwatchers, with migrant species arriving in breeding plumage.

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December is often a drier period between the short and long rainy season. Clear mornings can give way to building clouds and spectacular evening thunderstorms, but often with little to no rain. These storms make for atmospheric skies and an interesting time for photographers. But even relatively short showers enable plant life to erupt, carpeting this thirsty land in green and providing food for the young animals as they grow. Animals disperse widely across the Skeleton Coast National Park, which can make game viewing more challenging than in the dry season. Many birds are breeding and sporting their most colourful plumage.

Christmas and New Year fall within local summer holidays, so accommodations can be surprisingly busy, especially in and around the park's coastal areas where temperatures are cooler.

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