How to Survive a Namibian Winter

Battling the Namibian Weather Extremes

Jun 30, 2009
Sharon Kasanda

Keeping your hands warm during winter - J. Durham

The sudden change from intense heat to the mind numbing cold of winter in Namibia is enough to foster depression and negativity. Here's how to curb those winter blues.

Namibia is well known for its dusty, dry, desert landscape. From the desert dunes to the west of the country, which span approximately 1600km along Namibia’s western coast, reaching the southwest part of Namibia's northern neighbour Angola; to the country’s sparsely populated shrubs, trees and fine sandy soil, Namibia has always cultivated the spirit of the desert.

The Onset of Winter

The dunes to the west delicately colour the countries landscape with honeyed gold and mellow browns that are made up from billions of sparkling grains of sand, making Namibia the desert jewel of southern Africa; where temperatures at the height of summer are known to reach 35 degrees Celsius. In direct contrast to this picture of blistering heat Namibia also experiences winter in the months of May to July, and mind numbing cold sweeps over the country.

Tips on Surviving a Namibian Winter

The sudden change from wearing shorts and spaghetti stringed tops to having to dress up in numerous layers of jerseys, coats and thermal socks is enough to leave an individual depressed and full of negativity at the onset of winter. In Namibia from sweltering temperatures that can reach up to 35 degrees Celsius, the nation is brought to a halt as the air drops to a cool 5 degrees Celsius.

To make sure those winter blues are tucked away and kept under wraps here are some tips to chase away the winter doldrums:

Be prepared! Stock up on knitted sweaters and tops, jerseys, jackets and knitted hats for the occasional chilly head and ears. Due to the desert heat Namibians are not used to cloth layering and looking like an eskimo is not necessary but being well wrapped up is essential.

Make sure you maximize on the ingestion of vitamin c. Vitamin c is hailed as one of the strongest immune boosting vitamins for the body. It can be found in most vegetables and fruits of which the commonest would be oranges and their juice.

Make sure you have a steady supply of lemon, ginger and honey. A concoction of lemon and ginger served in hot water or tea with a good dollop of honey will be sure to eliminate chest congestion and will soothe a sore throat in case of the advent of a cold or flu. As prevention is better than cure, washing your hands and keeping them clean is a sure way to protect yourself against harmful bacteria.

Practice any form of exercise that will stimulate your heart rate and that will energise the blood pumping throughout your body will not only improve your body's circulation and digestion during the winter months but will also improve your sense of well being and help regulate weight.

Making the Environment Friendly in Winter

Tiled floors are a favourite in Namibia, and while they are an excellent way to cool a house during summer, during the winter months they can be a serious health liability. Individuals should take precautions and wear heavily insulated socks and slippers and make sure that rooms that will be inhabited should be heated by an external source; in most cases the preferred method would be to use an electric heater.

More importantly, winter in Namibia only lasts for two to three months, and before the Namibian people have had time to settle into a winter routine, it will be time to pack away the woollen jerseys and jackets and slip back into spaghetti stringed tops and shorts. A friendly warning would be to keep a hand on those wide brimmed straw hats during the month of august, as with august comes the wind!