Namib-Naukluft National Park spans a large area along the coast of Namibia. Its southern part is in the ǁKaras region, its northern part in Erongo, and the main part is in Hardap. The western part of it, the Namib Sand Sea, is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
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The Namib-Naukluft is one of the oldest protected areas in Namibia, having been established in 1907. The park today covers a huge area of nearly 50,000 km². It is Africa's largest and the world's 4th largest nature reserve.
Except for using the public roads that cross it you need a permit to enter the park. You can buy it only at an office of Namibia Wildlife Resorts. There are offices in Windhoek (corner of Bismarck Street and Sam Nujoma Avenue) and Swakopmund (Uhland Street). Withing the park there are offices at Sesriem and at the Naukluft Camp, both listed below.
- Entrance fee
- Camping fee
- Gobabeb. Gobabeb is an environmental research center for desert conditions. The center holds an annual open day on which you will be shown around. If you miss that one you might still contact them to ask if you are welcome
- Dune 45. This 170-m-high star sand dune is around 45 km from Sesriem on the way to Sossusvlei. That is not the reason for its name, though, as all large dunes in Namibia have numbers, starting with Dune 1 at the coast.
- Sossusvlei. A clay pan produced by deposits of the Tsauchab River. After good rainy seasons there is water in the pan. The Dead Vlei is in walking distance, that is a pan that is no longer reached by the river. It features centuries old dead tree trunks which are a spectacular sight. Both pans are surrounded by some of the biggest sand dunes in the world. For photographers sunrise or sunset are the best times to visit.
- Sesriem Canyon. A canyon that was used during the times of the Dorsland Trek
Gobabeb. Gobabeb is an environmental research center for desert conditions. The center holds an annual open day on which you will be shown around. If you miss that one you might still contact them to ask if you are welcome
Dune 45. This 170-m-high star sand dune is around 45 km from Sesriem on the way to Sossusvlei. That is not the reason for its name, though, as all large dunes in Namibia have numbers, starting with Dune 1 at the coast.
Sossusvlei. A clay pan produced by deposits of the Tsauchab River. After good rainy seasons there is water in the pan. The Dead Vlei is in walking distance, that is a pan that is no longer reached by the river. It features centuries old dead tree trunks which are a spectacular sight. Both pans are surrounded by some of the biggest sand dunes in the world. For photographers sunrise or sunset are the best times to visit.
Sesriem Canyon. A canyon that was used during the times of the Dorsland Trek
- Hiking trails: There are hundreds of scenic hikes in this park, and every accommodation recommends a few of them. Three of the best-known trails start off at the Naukluft Camp listed below where you will also get a simple map. The three-hour and the one-day hike require no special preparation. There is also an 8-day hike (with a shortcut after 4 days) for which you will need a special permit, a doctor's letter, and an booking confirmation from Namibia Wildlife Resorts.
Hiking trails: There are hundreds of scenic hikes in this park, and every accommodation recommends a few of them. Three of the best-known trails start off at the Naukluft Camp listed below where you will also get a simple map. The three-hour and the one-day hike require no special preparation. There is also an 8-day hike (with a shortcut after 4 days) for which you will need a special permit, a doctor's letter, and an booking confirmation from Namibia Wildlife Resorts.
Getting supplies in the park can be difficult. It is a very sparsely populated area. You'll find petrol stations and/or general dealers here:
- Rietoog. This settlement has a general dealer.
- Solitaire. This settlement has a petrol station and a general dealer, as well as a restaurant, a bakery, a car repair shop, and a motel.
- Sesriem. This spot has a petrol station and a campsite which runs a small shop and a bar. There is also an office of Namibia Wildlife Resorts where you can buy a park permit.
Rietoog. This settlement has a general dealer.
Solitaire. This settlement has a petrol station and a general dealer, as well as a restaurant, a bakery, a car repair shop, and a motel.
Sesriem. This spot has a petrol station and a campsite which runs a small shop and a bar. There is also an office of Namibia Wildlife Resorts where you can buy a park permit.