Sossusvlei in March

In March, Sossusvlei averages 32°C (89°F) during the day and 17°C (63°F) at night, with only about 1 rainy day.

Shoulder

Conditions are warm and beach-friendly. Skies are generally dry and clear.

March in Sossusvlei is outside the typical sweet spot for sightseeing weather. It can still be a great time to visit if you have specific reasons (festivals, off-season pricing, etc.).

32°C
Avg high
17°C
Avg low
1
Rain days
2 mm
Rainfall

How March compares to the rest of the year in Sossusvlei

1st
warmest month of the 12
3rd
wettest month of the 12
11%
of yearly rainfall falls in March
12 h 15 min
daylight on the 15th

March is one of the warmest months in Sossusvlei (1st of 12) and one of the wettest months (3rd of 12). Daytime temperature runs 2°C above the annual average (30°C). March runs roughly the same as February (32°C) and stays flat into April.

March sunrise & sunset in Sossusvlei

🌅
Sunrise (15th)
6:59 AM
🌇
Sunset (15th)
7:15 PM
Day length
12 h 15 min

Times shown for Sossusvlei local time (Africa/Windhoek), calculated for the 15th of March. They shift by a few minutes day to day across the month.

Photography light in Sossusvlei — March

Golden-hour and blue-hour windows for the 15th of March, in Sossusvlei's local time. Use these for soft warm light (golden) or cool architectural twilight (blue).

🌅 Blue hour (AM)
5:59 AM – 6:39 AM
🌄 Golden hour (AM)
6:39 AM – 7:39 AM
🌇 Golden hour (PM)
6:35 PM – 7:35 PM
🌆 Blue hour (PM)
7:35 PM – 8:15 PM
Milky Way galactic core
Fair
Core only briefly above the horizon — a marginal month even from dark sites near Sossusvlei.

📅 When to book — Sossusvlei in March

Travel writers usually only tell you when to go. Here's when to book flights and lodging for the best mix of price and availability, based on March's tier (Shoulder) and Sossusvlei's popularity.

✈ Flights — lead time
6-10 weeks
Sweet spot for value. Major fare-sales (US: Black Friday, EU: post-Easter) hit hardest in shoulder months for shoulder travel.
🏨 Lodging — lead time
4-8 weeks
Lots of selection. Look for shoulder-season packages — many hotels add value (free breakfast, spa credit) to fill rooms.

Crowds & pricing — March in Sossusvlei

Shoulder

Sossusvlei is in a shoulder season month — fewer crowds, slightly lower prices, and a calmer atmosphere than peak weeks. Most major sights stay open with normal hours, though a handful of seasonal restaurants or boat trips may run reduced schedules. Many regulars consider these months the best time to visit because you trade a small amount of weather reliability for a much more pleasant on-the-ground experience.

Why this tier: comfortable tourism weather

Sun & mosquito risk — March in Sossusvlei

☀️ UV Index (noon, 15th)
11.7
Extreme
Stay indoors during midday hours; SPF 50+ even briefly outside, UPF clothing, wide-brim hat, sunglasses essential.
🦟 Mosquito risk
●●●●○
High
Peak mosquito activity. DEET 30%+, long sleeves at dawn/dusk, sleep under nets if rural. Check current dengue/malaria advisories for the destination.

UV is a clear-sky sea-level estimate — clouds, altitude, and reflective surfaces (snow, water) shift it ±30%. Mosquito risk is climate-derived only; for current disease advisories (dengue, malaria, zika) check the CDC or WHO travel pages before your trip.

Sossusvlei in other months

MonthAvg highAvg lowRainfallRain daysSnow days
January 31°C / 88°F 17°C / 62°F 4 mm 1
February 32°C / 89°F 17°C / 62°F 3 mm 1
March 32°C / 89°F 17°C / 63°F 2 mm 1
April 32°C / 89°F 17°C / 63°F 2 mm 1
May 30°C / 86°F 15°C / 59°F 1 mm 0
June 26°C / 79°F 12°C / 53°F 1 mm 0
July 26°C / 79°F 11°C / 52°F 1 mm 0
August 26°C / 80°F 10°C / 51°F 0 mm 0
September 29°C / 85°F 12°C / 54°F 0 mm 0
October 31°C / 88°F 14°C / 58°F 1 mm 0
November 31°C / 89°F 15°C / 59°F 2 mm 1
December 31°C / 88°F 15°C / 60°F 1 mm 0

Other cities with similar March weather

🌍 See the full ranked list of climate twins for Sossusvlei in March →

Frequently asked questions

How hot is Sossusvlei in March?

In March, Sossusvlei averages a high of 32°C (89°F) and a low of 17°C (63°F) — generally hot.

Does it rain a lot in Sossusvlei in March?

March is generally dry in Sossusvlei, with about 1 rainy day on average.

Is March a good time to visit Sossusvlei?

March is hot and mostly dry. It suits travelers who are comfortable with hot weather; check the month-by-month ranking to compare it against the rest of the year.

What should I pack for Sossusvlei in March?

Pack lightweight, breathable clothing, sunglasses and sunscreen. See the full March packing list for Sossusvlei for a complete, climate-based checklist.

Open Sossusvlei on the interactive map

Check the live 10-day forecast and sunrise/sunset.