Things to Do in Windhoek in December
December weather, activities, events & insider tips
December Weather in Windhoek
Is December Right for You?
Advantages
- December marks the start of Windhoek's rainy season, which means the city sheds its dusty brown coat and transforms into something genuinely green. The jacaranda trees are finishing their bloom, and you'll catch the tail end of purple-lined streets before January arrives. Temperatures hover around 30°C (87°F) during the day but drop to a comfortable 17°C (62°F) at night, making evenings on restaurant patios actually pleasant without the oppressive heat you'd get in January or February.
- Tourist numbers are significantly lower in December compared to the June-August winter peak. You'll find shorter queues at Daan Viljoen Game Reserve, easier restaurant reservations, and accommodation prices that are typically 20-30% cheaper than high season. The Christmas to New Year week is busier with domestic travelers, but even then it's nothing like the European winter escape crowds.
- December is harvest season for local produce, and the Windhoek farmers markets are at their absolute best. You'll find fresh mangoes, watermelons, and the year's first batch of Namibian asparagus. The craft beer scene goes into overdrive with summer seasonal releases, and outdoor venues like the Warehouse Theatre beer garden are actually comfortable to sit in after 6pm when temperatures drop.
- The afternoon thunderstorms that roll in around 3-5pm are brief, dramatic, and create spectacular photography light. They rarely last more than 30-45 minutes, and locals have adapted their schedules around them. This means you can plan morning activities knowing you'll likely have clear skies, then enjoy the cooler post-rain temperatures for evening exploration. The storms also clear the dust, leaving that crisp air quality you don't get in the dry winter months.
Considerations
- Those 10 rainy days are unpredictable, and while most storms are short afternoon affairs, you'll occasionally get a full-day soaker that disrupts outdoor plans. The dirt roads leading to some township tours and outlying attractions can become temporarily impassable after heavy rain, and tour operators sometimes cancel at short notice. The humidity at 70% is substantial for a city that's bone-dry most of the year, and if you're coming from a temperate climate, the combination of heat and moisture takes a day or two to adjust to.
- December 16-26 sees most government offices, some museums, and various businesses operating on reduced hours or closing entirely for the Christmas holiday. Many locals who work in Windhoek return to their home regions, so the city has a somewhat emptied-out feeling during this period. If you need to handle any official business, sort visa extensions, or visit certain cultural institutions, you'll find limited options during this window.
- The UV index of 8 is genuinely intense, and Windhoek's altitude at 1,650 m (5,413 ft) above sea level means the sun hits harder than you'd expect at this latitude. You'll burn faster than at sea level, and the combination of humidity and sun exposure is exhausting if you're not strategic about timing. Most locals avoid being outside between 11am-3pm for good reason, and tourists who ignore this end up red-faced and miserable by day two.
Best Activities in December
Daan Viljoen Game Reserve Morning Drives
Located just 24 km (15 miles) west of the city center, this reserve is perfect for December morning visits when temperatures are still manageable and wildlife congregates around water sources. The recent rains mean animals are more active and the vegetation is lush, creating better photographic contrast than the washed-out winter landscape. Kudu, oryx, and mountain zebra are commonly spotted, and the bird population explodes with summer migrants. The reserve opens at 6:30am, and you want to arrive by 7am to catch the golden hour light and avoid the midday heat. Most visitors do self-drive circuits of the 40 km (25 miles) of roads, though guided walks are available for serious birders.
Township Cultural Walking Experiences
December is actually ideal for township tours because the Christmas season brings vibrant energy to communities like Katutura and Khomasdal. Families are preparing for celebrations, informal markets are bustling with holiday shoppers, and there's a genuine festive atmosphere you won't find in the sterile winter months. The morning timing (typically 9am-12pm) means you avoid the afternoon storms while experiencing daily life at its most active. These tours provide context for understanding modern Namibian society that you simply won't get from the German colonial architecture downtown. You'll visit shebeens (informal bars), taste traditional foods like kapana (grilled meat), and learn about the township economy from residents who actually live there.
Craft Beer Tasting Circuits
Windhoek's craft beer scene has exploded in recent years, and December brings summer seasonal releases that aren't available during the tourist-heavy winter months. The city has several microbreweries and taprooms within walking distance of each other in the central business district and Kleine Kuppe areas. December evenings are perfect for outdoor beer gardens once temperatures drop after 6pm, and the post-rain freshness makes sitting outside genuinely pleasant. Local brewers experiment with African ingredients like marula fruit and rooibos, creating flavors you won't find elsewhere. The scene is small enough to be manageable in an afternoon but developed enough to be interesting for serious beer enthusiasts.
Auas Mountain Hiking Routes
The Auas Mountains form Windhoek's southeastern backdrop, and December transforms them from barren brown to surprisingly green after the first rains. The most popular route is the Auas Peak trail, which climbs to 2,479 m (8,133 ft) and offers panoramic city views. December is actually one of the better months for this hike despite the heat, because you can start at 5:30am when it's cool, summit by 8:30am, and descend before the afternoon storms roll in. The recent rains mean water sources are flowing, and you'll see wildflowers that don't appear in the dry season. The trail gains about 700 m (2,297 ft) over 8 km (5 miles) one way, so it's moderately strenuous but manageable for fit hikers.
Independence Avenue Evening Strolls and Street Food
Windhoek's main thoroughfare comes alive after sunset in December when temperatures become tolerable and locals emerge for evening socializing. The street food scene operates year-round but is far more pleasant in December evenings than the cold winter nights. You'll find vendors selling boerewors rolls, vetkoek (fried dough), and game meat skewers along the pedestrian sections. The Christmas decorations go up in late November, and while they're not elaborate, they add character to the German colonial architecture. This is when you see Windhoek as locals experience it, not the empty daytime streets that tourists photograph. The walk from Zoo Park to the Craft Centre covers about 2 km (1.2 miles) and takes 90 minutes with food stops.
National Museum and Colonial Architecture Tours
December's afternoon storms make this the perfect month to have indoor backup plans, and Windhoek's museum circuit is surprisingly substantial for a city of 400,000. The National Museum of Namibia covers independence history, the Owela Museum focuses on natural history, and the newer Independence Memorial Museum offers controversial but important perspectives on the liberation struggle. The German colonial architecture concentrated around Christuskirche and the Tintenpalast (Parliament) is best appreciated in morning light before 10am or late afternoon after 4pm when the sun isn't directly overhead. December is ideal because you can flexibly shift between indoor museums during rain and outdoor architecture walks during clear periods.
December Events & Festivals
Windhoek Christmas Market
This market typically runs for two weekends in mid-December at various venues including the Craft Centre and private venues in Pioneers Park. It's a mix of local crafts, German-influenced Christmas goods, and food stalls reflecting Windhoek's cultural blend. You'll find Namibian craft beers, biltong vendors, and handmade decorations alongside more traditional Christmas fare. The market is worth visiting for people-watching and understanding how Windhoek's German heritage intersects with African traditions, though it's relatively small compared to European Christmas markets. Evening sessions (5pm-9pm) are more atmospheric when temperatures drop and lights create ambiance.
Warehouse Theatre Summer Season
The Warehouse Theatre launches its summer performance season in early December with local productions, comedy nights, and music performances running through February. This is Windhoek's primary cultural venue, and December shows often have a festive or satirical edge commenting on the year's events. The outdoor beer garden makes this venue particularly appealing in December when evening temperatures are comfortable. Productions are usually in English with occasional Afrikaans performances, and the quality is surprisingly high for a city of this size. It's a chance to experience Namibian performing arts rather than just tourist-oriented cultural displays.