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Olive Grove
Olive Grove
Olive Grove
Olive Grove
Olive Grove
Olive Grove
Olive Grove
Olive Grove
Olive Grove
Olive Grove
Olive Grove
Olive Grove

About Olive Grove

Mirroring the surrounding trees, the soft palette that defines the Olive Grove oozes tranquillity and relaxation.

From the moment you arrive, whether off a long flight or after a busy safari, the old house exudes a warm welcome, matched by a friendly yet professional team of staff.

Much is made of natural materials, from stone floors and walls to neutral-coloured cement bathrooms, creating a contemporary yet stylish feel that is hard to resist. Beautifully furnished rooms with soft lighting add to the mood, with hot-water bottles to offset winter chills – and a cool plunge pool for warmer months. Wrought-iron tables and chairs add a gentle Mediterranean touch, enhanced by Moroccan lanterns and mosaic detail.

Even the setting, in a quiet residential street, feels far from the bustle of the small capital, yet just a five-minute drive brings you to the heart of the city. But think first before you head out to dine. The à la carte restaurant here is open for lunch and dinner (as well as an excellent breakfast), with an open-plan kitchen that encourages you to feast on culinary delights with your eyes as well as your tastebuds. With the bonus of a small wellness centre, this is truly a place to savour.


Our view

The Olive Grove remains one of our favourite guesthouses in Windhoek. We have always received a warm welcome from the team here. Its contemporary style might not be to everyone’s taste, but well-appointed rooms and excellent service make this a very comfortable place to start or end your trip to Namibia.

Sabina Hekandjo

Sabina Hekandjo

Namibia expert

Accommodation

10 rooms, 1 suite

Children

Fine for all ages

Open

All year

Activities

Cultural excursion

Cultural excursion

Traveller reviews of Olive Grove

421 real, un-edited reviews from Expert Africa's travellers.


89%
421 reviews since August 2007
Excellent
222
Good
176
Average
16
Poor
5
Terrible
2
Dr & Mrs KfromCornwall

Arrived 5 Mar 2025, 1 nights

"Olive Grove review"

"we received a warm welcome - spacious, very clean room. had dinner and breakfast …" Read Dr & Mrs K’s full holiday review

Overall rating: Good

DavidfromDoha

Arrived 27 Feb 2025, 1 nights

"Olive Grove review"

"a good place to stay for the first or last night in Windhoek - it is central …" Read David’s full holiday review

Overall rating: Good

Mr & Mrs Sfromwinchester

Arrived 14 Feb 2025, 1 nights

"Olive Grove review"

"Adequate for one night …" Read Mr & Mrs S’s full holiday review

Overall rating: Average

E & HfromCanada

Arrived 30 Dec 2024, 1 nights

"Olive Grove review"

"We tried a different hotel at the end of our trip vs where we stayed at the start …" Read E & H’s full holiday review

Overall rating: Good

Mr&mrs Afromlondon

Arrived 19 Oct 2024, 1 nights

"Olive Grove review"

"Very lovely atmosphere and v welcoming …" Read Mr&mrs A’s full holiday review

Overall rating: Excellent

Mr & Mrs LfromGloucester

Arrived 28 Sep 2024, 1 nights

"Olive Grove review"

"facilities was very good - had an evening meal which was goood. …" Read Mr & Mrs L’s full holiday review

Overall rating: Good

Drs Ken & NirufromDevon

Arrived 27 Sep 2024, 1 nights

"Olive Grove review"

"Very helpful staff and the evening meal was very good. …" Read Drs Ken & Niru’s full holiday review

Overall rating: Excellent

Mr & Mrs SfromE Sussex

Arrived 15 Oct 2024, 1 nights

"Olive Grove review"

"Clean and tidy, good location for returning back to airport next day …" Read Mr & Mrs S’s full holiday review

Overall rating: Excellent

Mr & Mrs CfromGloucester

Arrived 8 Oct 2024, 1 nights

"Olive Grove review"

"Great lodge...staff here are just lovely and very helpful...definitely recommend …" Read Mr & Mrs C’s full holiday review

Overall rating: Excellent

Mr & Mrs J.fromChester

Arrived 6 Oct 2024, 1 nights

"Olive Grove review"

"... ideal for a first or last night. The service is really good as is the food. …" Read Mr & Mrs J.’s full holiday review

Overall rating: Excellent

See all Olive Grove reviews

Trips visiting Olive Grove

Just ideas, we'll always tailor-make a trip for you


Map

Bateleur Fly-in Safari

7 days • 4 locations • 1 country
WINDHOEK AIRPORT TO WINDHOEK AIRPORT

Classic fly-in Namibian safari staying at excellent camps. Explore Sossusvlei’s dunes and track Damaraland’s desert elephants before a safari in Etosha. Incredible scenery, good wildlife viewing and authentic cultural experiences.

Visiting Namib-Naukluft, Damaraland and 2 other areas

US$7,300 - US$9,390 per person

Read more about the Bateleur Fly-in Safari

Map

Ruppell's Korhaan Fly-in Safari

9 days • 4 locations • 1 country
WINDHOEK AIRPORT TO WINDHOEK AIRPORT

Explore Namibia’s remotest wildernesses while staying at some of the most exclusive luxury camps in the country. This epic fly-in safari will deliver otherworldly landscapes, fascinating wildlife and genuine cultural experiences.

Visiting Damaraland, Skeleton Coast and 1 other area

US$11,240 - US$16,720 per person

Read more about the Ruppell's Korhaan Fly-in Safari

Map

Chongololo Self-drive Safari

21 days • 11 locations • 1 country
WINDHOEK AIRPORT TO WINDHOEK AIRPORT

This self-drive safari focuses on the best walking experiences in Namibia. Get your boots ready for the apricot dunes of the Namib Desert and the ancient hills of Damaraland.

Visiting Central Highlands, Namib-Naukluft and 4 other areas

US$9,160 - US$10,110 per person

Read more about the Chongololo Self-drive Safari

Olive Grove: Our full report

The Olive Grove is a stylish guesthouse in Windhoek's Klein Windhoek suburb.

Taking its name from the neighbouring grove of olive trees, the guesthouse is located in a renovated old house. It was opened in early 2004, and has become a favourite place to stay in Namibia's capital city.

The contemporary design and décor of the Olive Grove has been carefully thought out. The minimalist style is softened by lanterns and locally printed fabrics, while the neutral shades of grey and green are reminiscent of the olive trees growing outside.

Wide sweeping stairs lead from the car park to the covered veranda where simple, well-crafted metal furniture is set up for dining, with an open-plan kitchen inside that helps create an air of informality. The Olive Grove prides itself on delicious, well-presented food from an à la carte menu which – unusually for a guesthouse – is available at both lunch and dinner. The meals we've enjoyed here have been generally excellent, so while there are plenty of very good restaurants in Windhoek, we recommend at least one meal at the Olive Grove during your stay.

The ground floor of the house also features a reception area, and a cool, comfortable lounge where there is a computer with internet access for guests.

Up a level at the Olive Guesthouse there's a pretty patio area with a small plunge pool, garden chairs and sunloungers set under umbrellas. The guesthouse even has its own small wellness centre offering a range of massages, though treatments must be prebooked.

Olive Grove Guesthouse has a total of 11 rooms – five "classic rooms", five "'terrace rooms", and one "terrace suite" – all with air conditioning and all beautifully furnished to a similar standard. Natural-coloured cement and stone have been used for the floors, shelving, bathrooms and even the bed bases, while individually selected fixtures and fittings are made from wrought iron, bronze or tin. Mosaics and lanterns create a slight Moroccan feel to the rooms. This contemporary design is offset by white cotton linen bedding, luxurious down duvets and fluffy towels. Satellite television, a tea and coffee station and a well-stocked minibar – including nuts and crisps – are standard; white kimonos add a touch of class; and waffle-weave slippers and hot-water bottles are a warming treat during the winter months. Each room has an en-suite bathroom, all with a shower and toilet. Two of the standard and one of the luxury rooms have a shower only, whilst the rest also have a bath.

  • The five "classic" rooms are on the ground floor. Although beautifully furnished to the same high standard as the 'luxury' rooms, their location is not as attractive, and thus they are priced a little lower. Three of them lead directly off the veranda, so can feel a little dark, and noise tends to filter in from both the dining area on the veranda and the reception. The other two are in a separate building next to the pool patio area.
  • The five "terrace" rooms (which we'd normally recommend) are on the first floor, reached either by outside stairs leading up to a large balcony or inside up a wooden staircase into a turret at the back of the house. These rooms are a little larger than those on the ground floor, and all open out onto the balcony where metal tables and chairs with comfortable cushions offer a relaxing place to sit under the cover of large sail awnings, as well as an alternative dining area.
  • A particularly spacious terrace suite, also upstairs, has a large bedroom, a roomy and luxurious bathroom and an adjacent lounge with a day bed, chairs and tables.
The service at Olive Grove is warm and professional. On our stays over the years, we have appreciated the friendly welcome from the team here and their attentive service throughout our stay. We've found them ready with restaurant recommendations or information for any onward journey in Namibia, and willing to reserve a table or book a day trip when requested. And while check-out time from the rooms is 10.00am, luggage can be left with the reception staff while guests continue to use the guesthouse facilities or explore the city before departing.

Geographics

Location
Windhoek, Namibia
Ideal length of stay
One or two nights, usually at the start or end of your holiday in Namibia.
Directions
The guesthouse is at 20 Promenaden Road, in the Klein Windhoek suburb of Windhoek, about five minutes’ drive from the city centre, or 45 minutes from Windhoek International Airport.
Accessible by
Self-drive or Fly-and-Transfer

Food & drink

Usual board basis
Bed & Breakfast
Food quality
We've enjoyed some excellent food at Olive Grove over the years. Simple, fresh and healthy ingredients are used to create well-presented meals. Rather unusually for a guesthouse in Windhoek, Olive Grove offers lunch and dinner, as well as breakfast.

You have the choice of enjoying a lavish breakfast in your room or on the veranda. Although this is normally served between 7.00am and 10.00am, with advance notice the team will be happy to arrange something a little later. A variety of cereals and fruit are available for those who'd like a quick or cold breakfast, but if you have time we recommend one of their cooked meals, especially the smoked salmon scrambled eggs!

An à la carte lunch menu is available late into the afternoon. When we last stayed, we particularly enjoyed the Mediterranean chicken salad. Other choices were fish and chips, quiche and a selection of sandwiches – plain or toasted.

Dinner, also from an à la carte menu, is usually available until about 10.00pm. Although we ate out on our most recent visit, on a previous stay we enjoyed starters such as beef tartare with soft-boiled egg, deep-fried camembert with fig and blueberry sauce or a house salad. The main course was a choice of game fillet with red wine butter, medallions of pork, free-range rib-eye steak with pepper sauce, chicken breast stuffed with mustard cream cheese and baked in spinach leaves, or grilled line fish. Desserts vary from baked cheesecake or brandy and date pudding with custard to chocolate brownie with custard or apple galette with custard or ice cream.
Dining style
Individual Tables
Dining locations
Indoor and Outdoor Dining
Further dining info, including room service
Yes
Drinks included
Drinks are not included. Each room has a stocked minibar and an all-day waiter service is available in the main areas.

Children

Attitude towards children
Children of all ages are welcome at the Olive Grove.
Property’s age restrictions
None.
Special activities & services
Mealtimes can be flexible depending on a family's needs and children’s preferences.
Equipment
A highchair and cot are available on request.
Generally recommended for children
Yes.
Notes
Parents need to be aware that the pool is not fenced and that there are a lot of stairs. Children must be under the constant supervision of their parents.
Note that the Olive Grove tries to have only one family group booked at a time to minimise any possible disruption to other guests.

Communications

Power supply notes
There are plug points in each room for charging batteries and electrical equipment. Travellers should bring their own adaptors.
Communications
There is a telephone and fax machine. There is also cellphone reception and WiFi, plus a computer with internet access for guests to use during their stay.
TV & radio
Each of the rooms has a TV with satellite channels.
Water supply
Mains
Water supply notes
Three rooms have a shower only; the remaining eight have a shower and bath. All are plumbed and and each room has a flushing toilet.

Health & safety

Malarial protection recommended
No
Medical care
There are doctors and hospitals in Windhoek.
Dangerous animals
Low Risk
Security measures
Olive Grove is a walled property with electric fencing and locked gates. There is secure parking available and guests are supplied with keys to the gates for 24-hour access. A security guard is on the property during the night.
Fire safety
Fire extinguishers are positioned throughout the guesthouse and there are fire detectors in each room and in the main area. Each room also has direct access to an outside area.

Activities

  • Cultural excursion

    Cultural excursion

Extras

Disabled access
On Request
Laundry facilities
A laundry service, including ironing, is available at additional cost.
Money
No currency exchange is available. There is an electronic safe in each room for storing travel documents and valuables.
Accepted payment on location
Visa and MasterCard are accepted, as are cash payments in Namibian dollars and South African rand.

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Olive Grove's location

Look closer at the environment and surroundings of Olive Grove.


Excursions from Olive Grove

Optional extra day-trips and excursions possible whilst you're staying at Olive Grove. Talk to us: these are usually best arranged before you go.


Windhoek City Tour

Windhoek City Tour

three hour Windhoek City Tour

Windhoek city tours offer a mix of history, culture, and local flavour, showcasing Namibia’s colonial landmarks, vibrant markets, and cuisine.

More about Windhoek City Tour
100% (1 reviews)

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When to go to Windhoek

Our month by month guide: What it's like to visit Olive Grove in Windhoek


Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Namibia in January

January is at the heart of Namibia’s rainy season. However, as you’d expect from a country dominated by desert and semi-desert environments, the rains are often (but not always) weak and usually quite localised. Some days will be clear, the strong sun raising temperatures to around 30ºC/86ºF; on others humidity and clouds build, sometimes culminating in spectacular thunderstorms. In extreme cases, these generate flash-floods which race down the beds of ephemeral rivers.

Across the country, the greening landscape makes a refreshing change, especially in desert areas. Many birds are in full breeding plumage and migrant species are here in force. In the north, where the rains are more reliable, the abundant water and food allows wildlife to disperse, making it trickier to spot.

  • Variable weather: clear, hot & dry, or cloudy & humid with some rain
  • Occasional, highly localised thunderstorms
  • Many animals with young; birdlife at its most spectacular
  • Wildlife dispersed & harder to see, especially in Etosha & the Caprivi
  • Very few tourists (apart from the New Year) so rates mostly low

Our view

This is not a great time to visit

Weather in January

Namibia in February

February is the wettest month, but as Namibia is dominated by deserts, the rains are often weak and patchy. The variation in weather across Namibia is significant, too; the central highlands and Caprivi can see some heavy rain. More typically, some February days are clear with a hot, strong sun; others are cooler as cloudy skies build and, sometimes, culminate in short, spectacular thunderstorms. Occasionally these generate flash-floods, bringing ephemeral rivers to life and making travel more challenging.

Across the country, the landscape feels green and alive; insects and smaller animals are more easily seen, and many birds and animals are raising their young. However, small pools in the bush and thicker vegetation can make it hard to spot the wildlife.

  • Variable weather: clear, hot & dry or cloudy & humid with some rain
  • Occasional localised thunderstorms meander over the landscape
  • The bush feels alive; birdlife is at its most spectacular
  • Wildlife in Etosha & Caprivi is dispersed & harder to see
  • Few tourists, so rates usually at their lowest

Our view

This is not a great time to visit

Weather in February

Namibia in March

March usually sees Namibia’s main rains tailing off, although actual precipitation varies hugely across the country and can be unpredictable from day to day. Many days will be clear, with a strong sun driving temperatures up. On others, clouds will build, and the late afternoon may see a short, spectacular thunderstorm. Such deluges reduce in both frequency and volume as the month progresses.

Across the country, landscapes are often vivid: a “green and pleasant land”. Many birds and animals are finishing raising their young, so smaller animals and insects are in evidence. In the north, where rains are generally heavier, pools in the bush and thicker vegetation can make it difficult to spot larger animals.

  • Variable weather: clear, hot & dry or cloudy & humid with some rain
  • Afternoon thunderstorms less common as March progresses
  • Animals looking sleek and well-fed, after 3–4 months of plenty
  • Wildlife in Etosha & Caprivi is dispersed & harder to see
  • Few tourists visit during March, so rates often low

Our view

A good time to visit, with pros & cons

Weather in March

Namibia in April

Typically, April is dominated by dry weather; there’s an ever-decreasing chance of rain. Temperatures are now below their peak and continue to fall. Even so, days remain pleasant and warm, but there might be a slight chill in the air at night. The rains usually leave many parts of the country verdant and green, so animals are in fantastic condition – often with fast-growing young in attendance.

With the dust washed out of the atmosphere, photographers make the most of clear air, spectacular landscapes and healthy animals. Stargazers will have clearer night skies as the month progresses. In the game parks of Northern Namibia, water and food remain in plentiful supply, so finding big game can prove trickier than later in the year.

  • Becoming drier &, especially at night, also cooler
  • Few visitors, except around Easter, so rates remain low
  • Wildlife in Etosha & Caprivi remains relatively hard to see
  • Migrant birds have started to leave
  • Fresh, clean air and often green, verdant landscapes

Our view

A good time to visit, with pros & cons

Weather in April

Namibia in May

By May, Namibia is usually drying out fast as the rains have ended. If they’ve been good, then the land remains green, but wildlife starts to congregate at more permanent water sources. Over much of the country the air quality and clarity can be amazing, making this an ideal month for photography.

Typical days are warm, with crisp, clear mornings and clear blue skies. Evenings are usually cool, and temperatures may dip below 10ºC (50ºF) overnight. Many lodges still charge “low season” prices, although with Namibia’s increasing popularity in recent years, 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 our favourite months in Namibia.

  • Lovely weather: dry, warm days & cool nights
  • The country is drying out although many landscapes remain green
  • Fantastic air clarity – ideal for keen photographers
  • Visitor numbers are often still low, mirrored by lodge rates
  • Wildlife is starting to congregate more around remaining water

Our view

A very good time to visit

Weather in May

Namibia in June

Namibia is dry again. Skies are blue and usually largely cloudless. Days are lovely: warm and dry; nights are cold, sometimes below freezing in the desert. Most swimming pools in Namibia are always outdoors, making them too cold for all except the very dedicated.

Take a warm hat and gloves for game drives, where dawn and dusk will feel particularly chilly. In the north, especially Etosha, wildlife viewing is now into its dry-season pattern, focusing around the waterholes – though the park is still not busy.

Photographers come for superb air clarity, with minimal dust or smoke in the air. Historically, June rates have been low. However, with Namibia’s increasing popularity many lodges now count it amongst their “high-season” months, and request higher prices.

  • Clear, bright days with blue skies; cold nights, mornings & evenings
  • Great air quality, especially welcome for photographers
  • “Shoulder season” for some lodges: lodge rates moderate
  • Wildlife gravitates to waterholes, making game-viewing productive
  • Some greenery in the landscape, depending on the last rains

Our view

A very good time to visit

Weather in June

Namibia in July

Reliably warm daytime temperatures (upwards of 20ºC/70ºF) and good wildlife sightings make this a popular month to visit Namibia. Rain would be very unusual indeed and clear skies make for great photographs. Once the sun sets, though, temperatures cool rapidly bringing cold nights that may dip below freezing in the desert. Be prepared: dress in layers and expect early-morning and late-afternoon drives, and anywhere coastal, to be cold.

As the land dries and vegetation shrivels, game congregates beside drinking water: Etosha’s waterholes are busy with animals. Across the country, 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).

  • Dry days, warm in the sun, with crisp, cold nights
  • Cloudless skies: July is usually superb for stargazing
  • The beginning of European school holidays so more families travelling
  • Peak season: so high rates and many lodges fully booked far in advance
  • A fantastic time of year for wildlife watching, particularly in Etosha

Our view

A very good time to visit

Weather in July

Namibia in August

August is the height of Namibia’s “winter”. Expect cloudless skies and plenty of warm sun in the day, but nights down to freezing in the desert. Dress in layers and bring warm clothes (including hats and gloves) for chilly starts and evenings. Only the hardiest even contemplate using outdoor pools.

It’s 3–4 months since any rain, so the land is dust-dry and much vegetation is golden brown. Many landscapes appear sparse and harsh. Wildlife congregates around available water sources, helping to guarantee good animal sightings.

Namibia is never really “busy” by the standards of Europe or the USA, but August is the most popular time to visit, especially for families. Book early (over a year in advance) if you want to stay at the best lodges.

  • Dry days, warm in the sun; cold mornings, evenings & nights
  • Cloudless skies in the day; spectacular stars at night
  • Busy by Namibian standards: family rooms in particular demand
  • Peak season: so high rates and many lodges fully booked far in advance
  • A fantastic time of year for wildlife watching, particularly in Etosha

Our view

Fantastic: the very best time to visit

Weather in August

Namibia in September

September is a month of blue, cloudless skies and fantastic wildlife viewing. Rain is almost unheard of. As the month progresses, the days and nights get warmer. In some areas, daily maximums hit around the low 30s Celsius, although low humidity ensures this feels comfortable. The contrast makes the nights seem very cold. The air is becoming dustier, occasionally augmented by smoke from fires – so becoming hazy for photographic purists.

In the national parks, animals congregate around remaining water sources – making September one of the best months for game viewing. Hence it’s one of Namibia’s most popular months for visitors: a “high season” month that is often the time of choice for safari aficionados.

  • One of the best months for wildlife viewing
  • Warm days & cold nights, with temperatures rising during the month
  • Many plants have faded from green to golden brown
  • Air can be hazy – with dust & sometimes smoke
  • High season rates; many lodges & camps are full 9 months in advance.

Our view

Fantastic: the very best time to visit

Weather in September

Namibia in October

Namibia is usually at its hottest and driest in October. Temperatures build as the month progresses; towards the end, daily highs may exceed 40ºC/100ºF, though with humidity close to zero, even this rarely feels oppressive.

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 Etosha. The place feels like a desert as spectacular herds of thirsty animals gather around the available water. October is popular amongst 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.

  • Probably the most spectacular month for wildlife-viewing in Etosha
  • Hot and dry: much of the country feels like a desert
  • The air can be hazy with dust & smoke
  • It’s peak time to visit, so expect high season rates
  • Lodges & camps are full, especially early in October

Our view

A very good time to visit

Weather in October

Namibia in November

November is always a bit unpredictable: sometimes dry and hot; sometimes cloudier and cooler. Typically, mornings are hot and cloudless and clouds appear 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 local – being completely absent from desert areas, for example. Places that do get good rain will flush green, with a tangible feeling of new life softening the landscapes. Many mammals give birth to their young.

Once any rains come, wildlife dissipates in search of food, and game viewing in Etosha becomes harder. Conversely, this is a great time for birdwatchers, with migrant species in breeding plumage.

  • A very interesting, variable month, depending on the rains
  • With rains come an amazing explosion of both vegetation & new life
  • Wildlife viewing better in Damaraland than Etosha if it has rained
  • Shoulder season: mid-range rates offer great value
  • Away from the Namib, showers are more likely later in the month

Our view

A good time to visit, with pros & cons

Weather in November

Namibia in December

December is the first “proper” month of Namibia’s rainy season, and one of its hottest. Clear mornings give way to building clouds and, with luck, the occasional short, spectacular thunderstorm: refreshing and cleansing. These are often highly localised and generally warmly welcomed: most Namibians love rain!

Rains clear the air of dust. Even relatively short showers enable plant life to erupt, carpeting this thirstland in green and providing food for the young animals which abound. Animals disperse widely, which can make game viewing challenging. Many birds are breeding and so sporting their most colourful plumage.

Christmas and the New Year fall within local “summer holidays” – so places to stay can be surprisingly busy, especially in and around coastal towns, where temperatures are cooler.

  • Hot and humid; sometimes refreshed by cooling showers
  • Landscapes flushed green if/where there has been rain
  • A tangible life and energy amidst this often green & pleasant land
  • Very photogenic: blooming deserts amidst crystal-clear air
  • Best time for birdwatchers; larger animals harder to spot

Our view

This is not a great time to visit

Weather in December

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