Originally created by the Germans to form a buffer against encroaching British interests, Namib Naukluft National Park has expanded over the years to become the nation’s largest conservation area. Protected within its boundaries are some stunning sights that you just have to see if you’re visiting Namibia with ancient archaeological sites dating back over 200,000 years, a wealth of abundant wildlife, and mesmerizing otherworldly landscapes; this national park certainly has something that will appeal to everyone. Possibly the most famous sight in the whole of Namibia are the towering sand dunes at Sossusvlei. Under the perfectly blue sky, beautiful red sand dunes form a stunning backdrop to the withered and burnt black trees that emerge from the white sands down below. The mosaic of contrasting colors is indefinably remarkable and a must-see in the country.

The marvelous canyons at Sesriem are also fantastic to explore as are the mountain ranges within the parks. Like at Skeleton Coast National Park, a number of shipwrecks are dotted along the coast, testifying to the brutal and unforgiving power of the ocean just off the shore. Somewhat mirroring the ocean in terms of its harsh environment, the arid and dry desert is now home to some abandoned towns that make for interesting exploring, their former inhabitants having long moved away.

Size of Namib Naukluft National Park

With an overall area of 49,768 km² (19,216 sq mi), the Namib-Naukluft National Park was at the time of its last expansion the largest game park in Africa and the fourth largest in the world.

Location of Namib Naukluft National Park

The Namib-Naukluft Park is a national park in western Namibia, situated between the coast of the Atlantic Ocean and the edge of the Great Escarpment. It encompasses part of the Namib Desert, the Naukluft mountain range, and the lagoon at Sandwich Harbor.

How to get to Namib Naukluft National Park

Most people who visit the park come to see the Sossusvlei area, which is located about 360km/223mi from Windhoek by car and accessed through the Sesriem entry point. The main point of entry into Namibia is Hosea Kutako International Airport (WDH) located 40km/25mi east of Windhoek.

Things to do in Namib Naukluft National Park

The Namib Desert

The Namib is the oldest desert in the world and extends far beyond the borders of the National Park and includes the whole of western Namibia. The part of the Namib within the Park is about 500 km long and between100 to 180 km wide. Here the highest dunes worldwide are found, which reach a height of up to 300 meters.

The Naukluft Mountains

The Naukluft Mountains, nearly 2000 meters high, form the eastern extension of the Park.

Sandwich Harbor

Sandwich Harbor is situated in the north of the Park, about 45 km south of Walvis Bay. It consists of a 10 km long bay or lagoon, surrounded by dunes and vegetated by reeds. This bay is home to more than 200,000 birds (flamingos, cormorants, pelicans, and other sea birds) and can only be reached by 4×4 from Walvis Bay.

Sossusvlei, Dead Vlei and Sesriem

Sossusvlei and Sesriem are the main attractions of the Namib Naukluft Park. At Sesriem, the Tsauchab River has dug an approximately 1 km long and 30-meter deep canyon into the ground. Sossusvlei is the name of a salt-clay pan surrounded by dunes and is approximately 60 km away from Sesriem.

The major parts of the Namib Naukluft Park are inaccessible for humans. Of the huge area of which 32,000 km² exist of dune fields only the area north of the Kuiseb River, the Naukluft Mountains, and the Sossusvlei can be visited.

Since 2010 the Namib Naukluft Park belongs to the Namib Skeleton Coast National Park, which is the biggest protected area of Namibia and the eighth biggest worldwide. This Park was formed by the merging of the Skeleton Coast Park, the Namib Naukluft Park, the Restricted Diamond Area, and the Dorob National Park as well as the Fish River Canon and the marine reserve Meob-Chamais. This newly developed Namib Skeleton Coast National Park stretches along the entire Atlantic coast of Namibia, from the border of Angola in the north down to the border of South Africa in the south, and has a length of 1570 km.

When to visit Namib Naukluft National Park

As Namibia is partially covered by the Namib Desert, the climate is generally very dry and pleasant, making it a good year-round destination. Namibia has a pleasant, cool, dry winter (May to October), which is generally the best time to visit, and a hot summer (November to April) with minimal rainfall and occasional localized storms.

Where to stay in Namib Naukluft National Park

The options are to camp at the basic national park’s site, or to use one of these guest farms as a base. The mountains are also within a few hours’ drive from most of the lodges in the Solitaire and Sesriem areas.

Ask us for more details of what’s where, and what’s likely to suit your best! Kulala Desert Lodge, BullsPort Lodge & Farm, Hoodia Desert Lodge, Sossus Dune Lodge, Desert Homestead, Zebra River Lodge, Little Kulala, Rostock Ritz, Barkhan Dune Retreat, Sossusvlei Lodge, Desert Homestead Outpost, Desert Camp, Corona Guest Farm, Elegant, Desert Lodge, Desert Quiver Camp, Namib Naukluft Lodge, Desert Hills Glamping Camp, Le Mirage Lodge, Namib Desert Lodge, Solitaire Country Lodge, Dead Valley Lodge, Desert Grace, Camp Sossus, Sonop, The Nest at Sossus.