Windhoek sits at 1,650 metres on Namibia's central highland plateau, which means it is cooler and drier than its tropical latitude would suggest. The city can be visited at any time of year, but seasons matter for what you can do beyond it.
May through September is the cool, dry winter. Daytime temperatures hover around 20-25°C and nights drop close to freezing. This is the easiest weather for travel and the best time to combine Windhoek with safaris in Etosha or trips to the coast — animals concentrate at waterholes, and the dust roads are passable. It is also peak tourist season; book ahead.
October and November are hot and dry — temperatures top 35°C — and dust hangs in the air everywhere outside the city.
December through April is the rainy season. Thunderstorms break in the afternoon, mostly. The highveld around the city turns surprisingly green, the Auas Mountains catch low cloud, and the dust drops out of the air. Wildlife disperses across the country, which makes safaris harder, but Windhoek itself looks at its best.
The Namibian Independence Day on 21 March brings parades and live music in Independence Avenue. The Windhoek Karneval in early March is a small-scale German Mardi Gras — costumes, beer, and a parade along the main street.