National park · Namibia
Khaudum National Park
Enter Khaudum National Park: pay N$110 per vehicle (or per person) at the northern gate, drive a 4x4 to the Xaudum campsite (12 km (7.5 mi)) for a short walk, or stay at Sikereti Camp (65 km (40 mi) south) for a full‑day trek; go in the dry season (Apr–Nov) to avoid rain and road floods.Enter Khaudum National Park: pay N$110 per vehicle (or per person) at the northern gate, drive a 4x4 to the Xaudum campsite (7.5 mi (12 km)) for a short walk, or stay at Sikereti Camp (40 mi (65 km) south) for a full‑day trek; go in the dry season (Apr–Nov) to avoid rain and road floods.
- 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
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
4,000 km² (1,544 sq mi)1,544 sq mi (4,000 km²)
approximate
Established
2007
Best months
Apr–Jun
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 10Nine 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.
- Kavango ↗Kavango is a malaria risk area; antimalarials and repellent are a decision to make before you leave home, not in Rundu.
- Kavango ↗Fill up in Rundu, Divundu or Nkurenkuru; stretches of the B8 and all C-roads east and south have no reliable fuel.
- Kavango ↗Do not drive after dark: cattle, donkeys and pedestrians on the road, and no lighting outside towns.
At a glance
- Country
- Namibia
- Area
- 4,000 km² (1,544 sq mi)1,544 sq mi (4,000 km²)
- Approximate; park size reported as about 4000 km² (check).
- Established
- 2007
- Best months
- Apr–Jun
- Permits
- For some areas
Khaudum National Park, proclaimed in 2007, spans about 4,000 km² of remote savannah in Namibia's Kavango region. It hosts large elephant herds, roan antelope, and some of the last African wild‑dog packs, reachable mainly by 4×4 tracks and limited accommodation at Xaudum and Sikereti.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 2007.
Size and age
4,000 km² (1,544 sq mi)1,544 sq mi (4,000 km²) · national park since 2007
Approximate; park size reported as about 4000 km² (check).
Why go
- Remote savannah with large elephant herds and rare roan antelope.
- Spot the last packs of African wild dogs in a low‑traffic park.
- Experience deep‑sand tracks and the three dry riverbeds (omiramba).
When to go
- JanGo
- FebGo
- MarGo
- AprBest
- MayBest
- JunBest
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepCaution
- OctGo
- NovGo
- DecAvoid
- JanDry, cool nights.
- FebDry, warm days.
- MarEnd of dry season.
- AprStart of dry season, roads firm.
- MayDry, comfortable heat.
- JunDry, hot; good wildlife viewing.
- JulHeat peaks, sand tracks harder.
- AugVery hot, limited water.
- SepHeat still high, occasional storms.
- OctDry, cooling.
- NovDry, start of rains.
- DecRainy season, tracks may flood.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ElephantsAll year · Large herds at most waterholes. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Roan antelopeAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| African wild dogsAll year · Rare packs, best with guide. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
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 Rundu
Take B8 north, then 46 km (29 mi) sand track to the northern gate.Take B8 north, then 29 mi (46 km) sand track to the northern gate.
2–3 h
Open the page →
From Tsumkwe
Drive D3303 gravel road 65 km (40 mi) to the southern gate.Drive D3303 gravel road 40 mi (65 km) to the southern gate.
2–3 h
Open the page →
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Northern gate (Khaudum tourist reception) | Entrance, parking, Xaudum campsite 12 km (7.5 mi) away.Entrance, parking, Xaudum campsite 7.5 mi (12 km) away. | Open with fee. |
| Southern gate (Sikereti tourist reception) | Entrance, Sikereti Camp 0 km (0 ft) from gate.Entrance, Sikereti Camp 0 ft (0 km) from gate. | Open with fee. |
Sketch 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.
Coordinates based on park centre and gate locations; approximate for orientation.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entrance fee (northern gate) | NAD 110 | vehicle | Same fee per person if entering on foot. |
| Xaudum campsite (vehicle) | NAD 110 | vehicle | Includes basic ablutions. |
| Xaudum campsite (person) | NAD 110 | person | Children free. |
| Sikereti Camp (camping) | NAD 370 | person | Cash only, per person per night. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Group travel no permit
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- NAD 110
- NAD 110
- NAD 110
- NAD 370
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
- Vehicle requirement
- Two 4x4s recommended for safety; not legally enforced.
- Fire
- No open fires outside designated camp areas.
- Litter
- Carry out all rubbish; no bins in the park.
- Border crossing
- Do not cross into Botswana outside official posts; rangers may use lethal force.
- Elephant proximity
- Stay at least 10 m from elephants; stop if they block the track.
Where to stay
In the park
Xaudum campsite
Basic camping with water and ablutions; 6 spots up to 30 people each.
In the park
Sikereti Camp
Tented units with pool; no Wi‑Fi or card payments.
Near the park
Rundu town
Hotels and fuel for the drive to the park.
Safety
Sand track fuel consumption medium
Elephant encounters medium
Road breakdown 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
- Northern gate reachable by 4x4; short walk to campsite.
- No wheelchair‑accessible trails; deep sand and steep tracks.
Visiting lightly
- Travel in groups to reduce vehicle emissions.
- Use designated campsites; avoid creating informal tracks.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Khaudum National Park?
Entrance is N$110 per vehicle (or per person) at either gate; campsite fees are additional (N$110 per vehicle/person at Xaudum, N$370 per person at Sikereti).
What are the best hikes in Khaudum National Park?
There are no marked long hikes; most visitors drive to waterholes and do short walks. Guided wildlife drives to elephant waterholes, roan antelope areas, and wild‑dog tracking are the main activities.
When is the best time to visit Khaudum National Park?
Dry season April – November offers firm roads and good wildlife viewing; avoid December – March as rains can flood tracks.
Do I need two 4x4s to enter the park?
Two 4x4s are strongly recommended for safety but not legally required.
Can I camp outside the designated camps?
Camping is only allowed at Xaudum or Sikereti camps; wild camping is prohibited.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go