National Parks

Namib-Naukluft National Park in Namibia

Home to some of the tallest sand dunes in the world, rising up more than 400 meters above the desert floor, the Namib-Naukluft National Park in Namibia is home to some of the most dramatic, mind-blowing desert landscapes on the planet.

Ker & Downey® Africa > Destinations > Namibia> Parks > Namib-Naukluft National Park in Namibia

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Everything you need to know about Namib-Naukluft National Park

The Namib-Naukluft National Park is characterized by vast shimmering savannah plains and ancient shifting terracotta sand dunes that run straight into the ocean, resulting in some of the most magnificent sceneries in Africa. The national park is one of the largest on the continent and hosts one of Namibia’s most spectacular and best-known attraction – Sossusvlei, a vast clay pan surrounded by some of the highest red sand dunes in the world.

Where is the park located?

The Namib-Naukluft National Park is located in western Namibia, between the coast of the Atlantic Ocean and the steep slopes of the Great Escarpment. It is one of Africa’s biggest national parks, stretching over an area of 49,768 km2 (19,216 sq mi), encompassing the Namib Desert, the Naukluft mountain range in the east, and the lagoon at Sandwich Harbour in the north.

About the park

What type of wildlife will we see?

Despite its seemingly desolate terrain, the Namib-Naukluft National Park is home to some of the most weird and wonderful flora and fauna species in the world. The stunning array of animal and plant life has evolved and adapted to living under the harsh sun of this semi-desert savanna.

Some animal species include the rare and elusive aardvark, desert leopard, black-backed jackal, oryx, kudu, giraffe, and the Hartmann’s mountain zebra, as well as over 340 bird species and a diverse array of desert-adapted reptiles and insects.

The plant life in the Namib-Naukluft National Park is astounding, with desert species living for up to 2000 years.

Top experiences to enjoy at Namib-Naukluft National Park

The Namib-Naukluft National Park is a thrill-seekers playground, and is best enjoyed on an adventurous voyage deep into the heart of the desert. This can be done on an adrenaline-fuelled 4×4 trail, a hike into the isolated wilderness, quad biking, or a scenic helicopter or hot air balloon flight over the massive shifting dunes.

The area is also a renowned photographer’s paradise with Sossusvlei and the desolate Dead Vlei providing some extraordinary and dramatic backdrops during the day, as well as at night when the sky is a blanket of stars.

When to visit Namib-Naukluft National Park

While the park is considered a premier travel destination, and can be visited all year round, the weather is more comfortable during the cooler months from May to October where it is less hot in the middle of the day, making it the best time for hiking and exploring the dunes.

Though November to April can be extremely hot, these months do bring the rain, which can come as a great relief after the arid dry season. This brightens the desert scenery and the skies tend to be less hazy during this time, making it an excellent time for birding.