Overview
Namibia offers an unparalleled adventure for hunters, anglers, and wildlife enthusiasts with its sprawling deserts, rugged coastlines, and vast national parks. The country is a prime spot for tracking big game like Cape eland and Chobe bushbuck in areas such as Etosha National Park, where the arid landscapes make for thrilling hunts. Anglers can target species like African sharptooth catfish in inland rivers or venture offshore for black marlin and bluefin tuna along the Atlantic coast, with opportunities for deep-sea fishing that rival global hotspots. Conservation is key here, as Namibia's efforts in wildlife management provide ethical experiences while protecting endangered species, making it a must-visit for those passionate about sustainable wildlife interactions.
Terrain & Habitat
Namibia's terrain is dominated by the Namib Desert, one of the oldest in the world, featuring vast sand dunes, rocky outcrops, and dry riverbeds that support hardy species like Burchell's sandgrouse. Inland, savannas and bushveld in places like the Caprivi Strip offer diverse habitats for mammals and birds, while the Atlantic coastline provides rich marine environments teeming with fish and sharks. This mix creates ideal conditions for both terrestrial hunting and offshore angling.
Best Times
- Hunting
- Typically runs May through October during the dry season when animals are easier to spot in the savannas and deserts
- Fishing
- Year-round along the coast, but prime from April to October for big game fish like marlin and tuna
- Wildlife Viewing
- Typically runs June through September when wildlife gathers around water sources in national parks
Climate by Month
| Month | High °F | Low °F | Rain (in) | Conditions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 95 | 65 | 2.5 | Hot and humid with afternoon thunderstorms in the north |
| February | 94 | 64 | 2 | Warm with scattered rains |
| March | 92 | 62 | 1.5 | Transitioning to drier weather |
| April | 88 | 58 | 0.8 | Mild and dry |
| May | 84 | 54 | 0.3 | Cooler and clear |
| June | 79 | 50 | 0.1 | Dry and pleasant |
| July | 77 | 48 | 0.1 | Cool and sunny |
| August | 80 | 50 | 0.1 | Warm days with cool nights |
| September | 85 | 54 | 0.2 | Warming up with clear skies |
| October | 90 | 59 | 0.5 | Hot and dry |
| November | 92 | 62 | 1 | Increasing heat with possible rains |
| December | 94 | 64 | 2 | Hot and rainy in parts |
Getting There
Fly into Windhoek Hosea Kutako International Airport (WDH), about 28 miles from the capital, or Walvis Bay Airport (WVB) for coastal access, roughly 220 miles west of Windhoek. International connections often route through Johannesburg's O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB) in South Africa.
Gear Recommendations
Pack lightweight, breathable clothing for the desert heat, a wide-brimmed hat, and high-SPF sunscreen; for fishing, bring heavy-duty rods for big pelagics like black marlin, sturdy boots for bush walks, and a quality cooler for preserving catches in remote areas.
Regulations Summary
Hunting requires a permit from the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism, with approximate costs of $200-500 for residents and $1,000-5,000 for non-residents depending on species; fishing needs a license, roughly $10-50 for residents and $100-300 for non-residents, with bag limits on key species. Verify current regulations at https://www.met.gov.na.
Insider Tips
- Always check your vehicle tires before heading into the desert; sand can hide sharp rocks that locals dodge by sticking to marked tracks.
- Hire a local guide who's familiar with the area—they know the best spots for catfish in seasonal rivers that aren't on any map.
- Stock up on jerky and biltong from roadside stalls; it's cheaper and tastier than what you'll find in tourist shops.
- For offshore fishing, go out early morning to avoid the sea breeze that picks up and makes waves choppy, just like the pros do.
- Respect community conservancies by tipping trackers well; they can tip you off on animal movements that make your hunt safer and more successful.
Notable Species (60)
- African sharptooth catfishClarias gariepinus
- False scadCaranx rhonchus
- Pink happySargochromis giardi
- Purple Faced largemouthSerranochromis macrocephalus
- Threespot tilapiaOreochromis andersonii
- Spottbase burrfishCyclichthys spilostylus
- Common remoraRemora remora
- RubyfishPlagiogeneion rubiginosum
- Atlantic cutlassfishTrichiurus lepturus
- Roudi escolarPromethichthys prometheus
- OilfishRuvettus pretiosus
- Longbill spearfishTetrapturus pfluegeri
- Roundscale spearfishTetrapturus georgii
- OpahLampris guttatus
- Scrawled filefishAluterus scriptus
- Unicorn filefishAluterus monoceros
- White mulletMugil curema
- BigeyePriacanthus arenatus
- CaptainfishPseudotolithus senegalensis
- Cassava croakerPseudotolithus senegalensis
- Chub mackerelScomber japonicus
- Skipjack tunaKatsuwonus pelamis
- Little tunnyEuthynnus alletteratus
- Black seabreamSpondyliosoma cantharus
- Striped seabreamLithognathus mormyrus
- Zebra seabreamDiplodus cervinus cervinus
- Silver scabbardfishLepidopus caudatus
- Spiny dogfishSqualus acanthias
- Bluntnose sixgill sharkHexanchus griseus
- Blackchin guitarfishRhinobatos cemiculus
- Scalloped hammerhead sharkSphyrna lewini
- Atlantic torpedoTorpedo nobiliana
- Livingstone's elandTaurotragus oryx livingstonii
- SitatungaTragelaphus spekei
- HottentotPachymetopon blochii
- Atlantic bonitoSarda sarda
- Frigate mackerelAuxis thazard
- Smooth pufferLagocephalus laevigatus
- Common eagle rayMyliobatis aquila
- Common ostrichStruthio camelus
- South African ostrichStruthio camelus australis
- Bluefin tunaThunnus thynnus
- Rough longnose dogfishDeania hystricosa
- Zambezi sitatungaTragelaphus spekei selousi
- PomfretTaractes rubescens
- Common elandTaurotragus oryx
- EscolarLepidocybium flavobrunneum
- Namaqua sandgrousePterocles namaqua
- Nile crocodileCrocodylus niloticus
- NyalaTragelaphus angasii
- Chobe bushbuckTragelaphus sylvaticus ornatus
- Cape elandTaurotragus oryx oryx
- Greater amberjackSeriola dumerili
- Japanese quailCoturnix japonica
- AlbacoreThunnus alalunga
- Yellow throated sandgrousePterocles gutturalis
- Shortfin mako sharkIsurus oxyrinchus
- Yellowfin tunaThunnus albacares
- Double banded sandgrousePterocles bicinctus
- Southern greater kuduTragelaphus strepsiceros strepsiceros