National park · Namibia
Namib-Naukluft National Park
Enter Namib‑Naukluft for a day: pay N$190 entry permit, drive the C‑road to Naukluft Camp and do the 3‑hour trail; for an 8‑day trek (permit, doctor’s note) start at Naukluft Camp in May–Oct, avoid summer heat.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
50,000 km² (19,305 sq mi)19,305 sq mi (50,000 km²)
approximate
Established
1907
Best months
Apr–Aug
UNESCO
World Heritage
Rules in force · 9Nine African countries on this site have no trip line bec…Across the subregion, plan every road leg to arrive befor…
- Africa ↗When a route touches a yellow-fever country — even a transit of 12 hours or more — keep the original yellow card (ICVP) in your hand luggage; health desks and airlines can refuse boarding or entry without it.
- Africa ↗Nine African countries on this site have no trip line because governments advise against travel; several others have no-go regions. Read your government's advice for every country on the route before paying deposits.
- Southern Africa ↗A rental car may leave its home country only with the rental company's cross-border letter, the registration papers and paid road taxes at each post; driving into Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique or Angola without them ends at the border.
- Southern Africa ↗Across the subregion, plan every road leg to arrive before sunset: livestock, wildlife, pedestrians and unlit trucks make night driving the main cause of serious visitor accidents.
- Namibia ↗Check visa and entry rules for your passport on official Namibian government sources before booking: since 1 April 2025 citizens of 33 countries, including the US, UK, most of the EU, Canada and Australia, need a visa on arrival or an e-visa.
- Namibia ↗Taking a rental car into Botswana, South Africa, Zambia or Zimbabwe needs written permission from the rental company and the right papers; ask when you book.
- Namibia ↗Etosha gates open at sunrise and close at sunset: you must be inside a camp or out of the park by closing time.
- Hardap ↗No public transport reaches the sights; you need your own vehicle or a booked 4x4 with driver.
- Hardap ↗Farm roads are private. Do not drive in unless your destination is signposted there; if you open a gate, close it.
At a glance
- Country
- Namibia
- Area
- 50,000 km² (19,305 sq mi)19,305 sq mi (50,000 km²)
- Figures vary by source: roughly 50,000 km², making it Africa's largest and the world's 4th largest nature reserve (check).
- Established
- 1907
- Best months
- Apr–Aug
- Permits
- For some areas
Namib-Naukluft National Park covers a vast stretch of Namibia's coast from the Kuiseb River south to the ǁKaras region: the Namib Sand Sea (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), the Naukluft mountains, and the gravel plains between. It is one of the oldest protected areas in Namibia, established in 1907, and today protects desert-adapted wildlife, ancient dunes and the only permanent river crossing the Namib. The park's southern edge meets the Sossusvlei area, which is covered on its own page.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- UNESCO World Heritage · 2013Namib Sand Sea listed as UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Size and age
50,000 km² (19,305 sq mi)19,305 sq mi (50,000 km²) · national park since 1907
Figures vary by source: roughly 50,000 km², making it Africa's largest and the world's 4th largest nature reserve (check).
Why go
- Explore one of Africa’s largest protected deserts with dramatic dunes and ancient geology.
- Spot desert‑adapted wildlife such as oryx, springbok and desert elephants on guided walks.
- Experience remote camping under clear night skies at Naukluft Camp.
When to go
- JanCaution
- FebCaution
- MarGo
- AprBest
- MayBest
- JunBest
- JulBest
- AugBest
- SepGo
- OctGo
- NovCaution
- DecCaution
- JanCool but occasional rain; some tracks muddy.
- FebCool, occasional storms.
- MarMild, early spring, good visibility.
- AprDry, warm, ideal for hiking.
- MayDry, cooler evenings, wildlife more active.
- JunDry season peak, low heat.
- JulCold nights, clear skies.
- AugCold but dry, excellent for night photography.
- SepWarming up, still dry.
- OctWarm days, low rain risk.
- NovIncreasing heat, occasional storms.
- DecHot, chance of summer storms.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Desert-adapted mammals (oryx, springbok, desert elephant)May–Oct · Best sightings in cooler months. | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
| Birds of prey (e.g., Bateleur, Lappet-faced vulture)Mar–Sep | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Walvis Bay
Take C26 east, then C27 into the park; road passes through the park’s southern sector.
2–3 h
From Lüderitz
Drive B4 north, turn onto C27 at Aus, continue to Naukluft Camp.
3–4 h
From Windhoek
Drive C14 to Rehoboth, then C27 east to the park gate.
4–5 h
Open the page →
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Naukluft Camp | Main visitor hub with office, basic facilities and access to short day‑hikes. | Open with day‑use permit. |
| Gobabeb Research Station | Remote research outpost with limited visitor access; offers guided desert walks. | Permission required from station staff. |
| Sesriem Canyon area | Southern edge of the park; gateway to Sossusvlei. | Road access; permits sold at Sesriem office. |
Sketch map
- 1Naukluft Camp · Headquarters≈-24.266, 16.239Main visitor hub with office, basic facilities and access to short day-hikes.Map ↗
- 2Gobabeb Research Station · Village≈-24.500, 15.800Remote research outpost; limited visitor access.Map ↗
- 3Sesriem · Town≈-24.487, 15.798Gateway town at southern edge of the park.Map ↗
Take the points offline
3 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Approximate centre of the park (official coordinates from Wikidata).
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry permit (Naukluft Camp office) | NAD 190 | person | Covers day‑use of park facilities and short trails. |
| 8‑day trek permit | NAD 800–1,200 | person | Check – requires doctor’s note and booking confirmation. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Day‑use entry permit or guide
Long‑trek permit permit or guide
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- NAD 190
- NAD 800–1,200
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Check with the park or your operator before you go.
Park rules
- Permits
- Day‑use entry permit required for any access; long‑trek permit required for multi‑day routes.
- Off‑road driving
- Only on designated tracks; off‑track driving prohibited to protect fragile desert crust.
- Fires
- Open fires not allowed; use provided camp stoves only.
- Pets
- Domestic animals not allowed inside the park.
- Drones
- Not allowed without special permission from park authorities.
Where to stay
In the park
Naukluft Camp (inside park)
Basic cabins and campsites; water available, no electricity.
Near the park
Buellsport Private Camp (edge of park)
More comfortable cabins, pool, and guided trail handouts.
Near the park
Solitaire Guest Farm (outside park)
Chalets and campsite with restaurant; good base for day trips.
Safety
Heat and dehydration medium
Vehicle accidents on gravel tracks high
Getting lost on remote sections high
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Naukluft Camp reachable by standard 4x4; short trails have firm footing.
- Long‑trek routes involve steep dunes and rocky sections; not suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Obtain permits only from official park offices; avoid unofficial guides.
- Carry out all litter; use refillable water bottles.
- Support local communities by staying at community‑run camps.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Namib‑Naukluft National Park?
A day‑use entry permit costs N$190 per person and is bought at Naukluft Camp office.
What are the best hikes in Namib‑Naukluft National Park?
The 3‑hour Naukluft Trail from the camp is ideal for a day; the 8‑day Naukluft Traverse offers a full desert crossing for experienced hikers.
When is the best time to visit Namib‑Naukluft National Park?
May to October gives dry, cooler conditions and the highest wildlife activity.
Do I need a 4x4 to drive through the park?
A 4x4 is recommended for comfort on gravel tracks, especially on D‑roads; a standard 4x4 can reach the main camp.
Are campfires allowed?
Open fires are prohibited; use camp stoves provided at designated sites.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Namib-Naukluft National Park
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