Khaudum National Park Namibia

Nestled away in the North-East of Namibia is the isolated and relatively small national park of Khaudum. Seldom visited by tourists, its remote location is perfect for people looking for a tranquil and peaceful trip into the wild.

Khaudum National Park is located in the far north-eastern region of Namibia along the Caprivi Strip. The park sits atop Botswana and below Angola and is on the western side just outside the strip. The park covers an extensive area of 1,483.4 square miles (3,842 sq km).

The national park is one of five national parks located in this far north-eastern region of the country. The other parks include Bwabwata National Park, Mudumu National park, Magnetti National Park, and Nkasa Lupala National Park.

Khaudum is situated in the Kalahari Desert which is dry between the months of April to November. Homa, Cwiba, and Khaudum are three rivers that traverse through the park during the rainy season contributing significantly to the survival of the ecosystem.

The park is comprised of short dry forest and dry acacia trees which are thicker along with the riverine areas. The forest around the three dry rivers is characteristic of Kalahari forests. These areas are also thicker with thorn bushes. The riverbeds are often characterized by peaty-bog thick with reeds and in some cases water lilies.

This is the epitome of the African wilderness. The area is remote and unspoiled. Some have affectionately described it as Namibia’s Forgotten Wilderness. You have a better chance of seeing more elephants than people.

The wildlife is often seasonal with a greater prevalence associated with the rainy season. Some of the hopeful sightings include elephant, giraffe, roan antelope, kudu, eland, reedbuck, and several others. The predator species include lion, leopard, cheetah, hyena, jackal, and Cape wild dogs.

During the months between November and March, there are over 320 species of birds nesting and migrating through the parking area. Amongst these, there are over 50 predator species of birds making this an exciting place to visit for bird lovers. Parrots are a hopeful sighting during this time as well.

Size of Khaudum national park Namibia

The Khaudum National Park is situated in the north-east Kalahari biome of Namibia, on the border to Botswana. Initially, Khaudum was established to protect the lifestyle of the San Bushmen who have inhabited the Kalahari Desert for thousands of years. Today, it is the most pristine nature conservation area in Namibia, falling within the Kalahari Sandveld, 3842 sq km in area.

Location of Khaudum national park Namibia

Khaudum National Park is a true African wilderness. The park, situated in north-eastern Namibia bordering Botswana.

How to get to Khaudum national park Namibia

Khaudum is located 796km/494mi northeast of Windhoek. The park is rarely visited on an organized tour but can be explored independently on a self-drive safari. Visitors must come with fully equipped 4×4 vehicles and ideally travel in pairs. The sandy roads are challenging, and self-drive safaris should only be undertaken by travelers who have a lot of experience with these sorts of expeditions.

Things to do Khaudum national park Namibia

Game viewing, bird-watching, There is a campsite for tourists at Khaudum and a new lodge under construction, Twelve artificial water holes, two natural fountains, and several game-viewing hides. At least two 4×4 vehicles are recommended per party, at least three days’ worth of food rations per person, and 100 liters of water per vehicle.

Elephant, Roan antelope, Giraffe, Eland, Tsessebe, Reedbuck, Lion, African wild dog, Leopard, Spotted hyena, Ostrich, Blue wildebeest, Red hartebeest, Kudu, Oryx, Warthog, Side-striped jackal, and various other smaller species. A total of 320 bird species have been recorded, including Ground Hornbill, African Hobby Falcon, Racket-tailed Roller, and Bradfield’s Hornbill. Abdim’s Stork, Yellow-billed Kite, Steppe, and Lesser Spotted Eagles, and African Golden Oriole birds visit during summer.

When to visit Khaudum national park Namibia

Animals typically gather at Khaudum’s water sources in the drier months (May to October), so wildlife watchers will want to visit them. Particularly impressive are the elephant herds that trek in from across the Botswana border. Also, although this period aligns with Namibia’s high season, the park is rarely very busy. The landscape is prettier in the wetter months, but roads might be impassable at this time.