Naukluft National Park

The Namib-Naukluft is one of Africa’s largest parks. It is home to the Sossusvlei area – an ocean of enormous red dunes and one of Namibia's main tourist attractions. The desert habitat doesn’t support many large animals, but if you take time to absorb the spectacular scenery and smaller creatures, any visit here will be more than worthwhile

Pros & Cons

Stunning desert scenery including red dunes at Sossusvlei
Encounters with desert-adapted wildlife in a pristine setting
Good walking options in the Naukluft mountains
Very hot and dry
Low animal densities and little variety

Namib-Naukluft is not really a wildlife destination. Visitors come here to see the desert environment. There are a variety of creatures present, although not all of them are easily seen. Oryx and springbok are most conspicuous; these desert-adapted antelope even inhabit the driest areas of the park. Closer to the rivers you can find klipspringer, steenbok and troops of desert-adapted baboons.

Wildlife Highlights

The Naukluft Mountains is a less visited section of the park. This area is more lush and home to additional species including the endemic Hartmann's mountain zebra. Smaller creatures include meerkat, yellow mongoose and Cape ground squirrel. Both spotted and brown hyena are present and you might well come across their distinctive white droppings.

Best Time for Wildlife Viewing

As wildlife viewing is hit-and-miss throughout the year, Namib-Naukluft can be visited at any time. There is very little precipitation, so when it does rain it is usually welcome. The cooler winter months from May to September are the most pleasant

Wildlife Viewing

Exercising caution around wild animals is always advised as their behavior is unpredictable. There aren’t many dangerous animals in the park. The main concern is snakes and scorpions, but encounters are very rare. It is recommended to wear closed shoes. If you are on an organized tour, you should always listen carefully to the advice of your guide. For more information about safety and wildlife viewing in general, please read the ‘Wildlife Viewing Safety Precautions’ below.

Further advice on limiting dangers and annoyances when traveling:

• Wildlife Viewing Safety Precautions

• General Travel Safety Precautions

• Cities & Urban Areas: Safety Precautions

• Safety & Security – Namibia

• Malaria & Vaccinations – Namibia

Namib-Naukluft National Park is a great birding destination with over 200 species recorded. The popular area of Sossusvlei is extremely dry and although there are some interesting species to be found, such as the dune lark, this is not a prime birding area. For excellent birding, head for the Naukluft Mountains where more species are present and easier to spot. Sandwich lagoon on the coast is great for Palearctic waders in the Wet season. Migrants are present from November to April.

Birding Specials–Treats for Avid Birders

(E) endemic = only lives in Namibia
(NE) near-endemic = also lives in neighboring countries

Best Time for Bird Watching

Bird watching is best in the summer, from November to April, when migrants from Europe and northern Africa are present. Most birds of prey are resident and can be seen throughout the year.

Namib-Naukluft is a premier travel destination in Namibia, mostly visited for its stunning desert scenery and less for its wildlife. Therefore, the park may be visited throughout the year, but the most comfortable time is during the cooler months from May to October. Outside of these months it can be very hot, limiting how much time you may want to spend outside.

Best Time May to September (Less hot)

High Season July to November (Sossusvlei area gets busy and high-season rates apply)

Low Season December to June (Low-season rates may apply)

Best Weather May to September (Cooler during the day)

Worst Weather November to February (Very hot at lower altitude areas, including Sossusvlei)

May to October –Dry Season – Winter

It is less hot in the middle of the day (except for October)
Best time for hiking in the Naukluft Mountains
Sossusvlei area gets quite busy at times
It is cold in the early morning
It is very dry and dusty and the sky can be hazy

Wildlife Photos

November to April –Wet Season – Summer

The rain comes as a relief after a long dry period
Flowers brighten the desert scenery and the views tend to be clearer after rain
Excellent time for birding with migratory birds present
It tends to be oppressively hot
Occasional flash floods can restrict access to some areas
If visiting both Namib-Naukluft and Etosha; wildlife viewing in Etosha isn't as productive

Namib-Naukluft has a hot and extremely dry climate with very little rainfall. Temperatures can peak well above 38°C/100°F during summer (November to April), but nights can drop below freezing point in winter (October to April).

The altitude in the park varies widely; Sossusvlei is located at a low altitude and temperatures get very hot. The higher altitudes are mostly in the Naukluft Mountains section where it tends to be a bit cooler.

Winter–May to October

These are the coolest months bringing relief from the oppressive heat at other times of the year. There is almost no rain at all and it gets drier as the winter progresses.

May, June, July & August – It is sunny and totally dry. These are the coolest months and the average afternoon temperature is 23°C/73°F. Areas at lower altitude (such as Sossusvlei) can be substantially hotter. It is cold in the early morning, with temperatures of around 9°C/48°F.

September & October – It is still dry and sunny. This is the end of winter and temperatures increase to an average of 25°C/77°F, but can reach a peak of 38°C/100°F and above in low-altitude areas. Early mornings are less cold, at around 11°C/52°F.

Summer–November to April

The summer months are hot. Although daytime temperatures average 27°C/81°F, they frequently rise to 38°C/100°F and above in low-altitude areas of the park, including Sossusvlei. Early mornings average around 14°C/57°F. Summer corresponds with the Wet season, but rainfall is low.

November & December – It is very dry. When the first rain falls, it comes as a relief after a long dry winter. Afternoon temperatures are around 27°C/81°F. Areas at lower altitude (such as Sossusvlei) will be substantially hotter.

January, February & March – The only months with regular rain. It is still mostly dry and sunny. People need to be careful for flash floods in dry riverbeds during occasional storms. It usually cools down after rain and average daytime temperatures are around 28°C/82°F.

April – Rain decreases rapidly in April; there are less and less days with precipitation. The weather cools with average temperatures around 26°C/79°F.

Namib-Naukluft National Park consists of different sections with different entry points. The park can be visited on an organized tour or independently, on a self-drive safari. The main routes to and within the park are open to normal 2WD cars. Permits are required for minor roads and a 4x4 vehicle is recommended.

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. Both self-drive visitors and people who’ve booked an organized safari will usually start their trip by 4x4 in Windhoek

Safety

If you are driving to the park independently, you will be driving long distances between opportunities for food and fuel. It is important that you stop at every chance to fill your gas tank and bring along plenty of water. This is serious desert country and you should take precautions against dehydration and exposure to the sun.

A visit to your local travel clinic is recommended for advice on vaccinations and malaria protection. Namib-Naukluft NP is a malaria-free zone, but you will need medication if you plan on visiting other areas where it may be a concern. When visiting malaria zones it is recommended to take anti-malarials, cover up in the evening and apply mosquito repellent (those containing DEET are most effective).

Nambia is a very safe, politically stable country. In our opinion, visitors have little cause for concern regarding personal safety. This is especially so when traveling on an organized trip and staying at lodges and camps. If you’re planning a self-drive trip in Namibia, you should read the travel advisory links below.

Below are tips on staying safe in Namibia.

Staying Safe on Wildlife Viewing Activities

Your safari guide will ensure your safety at all times – listen carefully to instructions and follow the park’s rules at all times. When on a self-drive safari, don’t drive too close to wildlife and only leave your car in designated areas where it is safe to do so. For additional tips:

• Wildlife Viewing Safety Precautions

Staying Safe in Cities and Towns

Namibian cities are relatively safe; most crime issues are minor, such as petty theft and pickpocketing. You will mostly be sheltered from these risks when looked after by your guide on an organized tour. When venturing out in the city unguided, you can easily reduce being at risk by following simple safety precautions: get advice at your hotel before taking a walk in the city; don’t carry any valuables and only take limited money with you; don’t walk after dark, rather take a taxi. For more safety tips that apply to African cities in general:

• Cities & Urban Areas: Safety Precautions

Other Tips on Staying Safe

Please read the pages below regarding malaria and vaccination information for Namibia and general travel safety precautions.

• Namibia: Malaria & Vaccinations

• General Travel Safety Precautions

Malaria & Vaccinations – Namibia

The information on this page is just a general guide and should not be used to replace a consultation with your travel doctor. The government organizations and travel clinics below are trusted resources for complete and up-to-date info about travelers' health in Namibia.

Malaria Risk

Medium risk in northern Namibia, especially Etosha National Park and the Zambezi Region (Caprivi Strip), and low to no risk in the rest of the country. The highest risk of transition is in the rainy season from October to May.

Wildlife viewing is generally very safe in our opinion. A professional guide will ensure your safety on a guided safari. Self-drive safaris are safe as well, as long as you treat animals with respect and follow all park rules. It is extremely rare for incidents to occur. Below are some general safety guidelines and tips.

Always follow your guide’s instructions and guidelines
Always keep your voice down when close to animals
Stay in the car during game drives except at designated areas where you are allowed to get out
Don't stand up in the car, hang out of the window or sit on the roof
Don’t drive too close to animals if you are on a self-drive safari and back off if the animals seem disturbed
Don’t drive between elephants in a herd, especially females and their young
Stay together as a group close to your guide on a walking safari and always walk in single file
Never run or jog in a wildlife area as it entices predators to attack
Never walk between a hippo and water; it may panic and charge because its safety route to the water is blocked
Never leave food in your tent; it will attract wildlife
Cover your arms and legs in the evening and use insect repellent to protect against mosquitoes
Wear a hat, use sunscreen and drink plenty of water
Don't wear bright and colorful clothes or too much perfume – especially on walking safaris
In tsetse-fly areas it is recommended not to wear dark-colored clothing – such as black or dark blue – since it attracts these stinging flies
Bring warm clothes for morning game drives in open vehicles

African safaris are generally safe in our opinion. Especially if your visit is primarily an organized tour. Your tour operator and guide will ensure your safety at all times. Self-drive safaris are generally safe as well, but it is recommended to seek advice about the safety of the areas you intend to visit. Below are some general safety tips:

Buy good travel and health insurance
Check the passport and visa requirements for your destination
Get all the required vaccinations, antimalarial medication and insect repellent (those containing DEET are most effective)
Lock all your travel bags and keep all valuables in your hand luggage
Make duplicates of important travel documents or keep copies online
Bring appropriate clothing to protect against the sun, mosquitoes and to stay warm on open vehicle game drives
Check luggage restrictions on all your flights (including domestic flights)
Don't drive at night
Put your valuables in the safety deposit box of the hotel
Always be polite and respectful to police officers and military personnel. In the rare instance that you might get asked for a bribe (on a self-drive safari only), a light attitude and a joke might well get you off the hook.

Travel in Africa is generally safe in our opinion. Especially if on an organized tour or safari. However, as is the case all over the world, there is an increased risk of crime in large cities and urban areas. Visitors on guided activities are mostly shielded from these risks and their guide will ensure their safety. When unguided, normal safety precautions and common sense should keep you safe. Below are some general tips:

Ask at your hotel if it is safe to walk around the local area; when new in a place it’s always good to seek local advice on safety issues
Don’t wear jewelry when walking in cities and leave all valuables in a safety deposit box at your hotel
Avoid walking alone in a large, unfamiliar city
Don’t walk around at night; take a taxi
Avoid getting engaged with people approaching you in the street
Be careful when drawing money from an ATM; go elsewhere if you suspect people hanging around
Always lock your car doors and close windows when driving in busy towns
Never leave a car unattended with valuables or luggage visible