Overview

At 19,215 mi², the Namib-Naukluft National Park is Namibia’s largest conservation area that contains some of the country’s most iconic attractions - extraordinary sand dunes of Sossusvlei, the awe-inspiring canyon at Sesriem, forgotten shipwrecks and ghost towns along the icy Atlantic coast, estuarine lagoon and wetlands, and granite mountain ranges. It’s renowned for its red sand dunes, the Sossusvlei, including “Big Daddy” at an enormous 1,100 ft. These dunes are evidence of Nature’s artistic genius and a display of its mastery at incorporating colors, textures, and sounds to create masterpieces and fully immersive experiences. The Namib has many surprises and when you make your base here, you’ll discover ancient wildlife secrets and be captivated by this stunning landscape.

Things to See

The Namib-Naukluft National Park is a protected area in Namibia, found in the Namib Desert, and is home to a plethora of activities, including hiking, wildlife viewing, and hunting. Some of the wildlife you can see here includes elephants, lions, and cheetahs. The park is located between the Atlantic Ocean’s shore and the Great Escarpment’s edge, abutting Dorob National Park to the north. It includes sections of the Namib Desert (the world’s oldest desert), the Naukluft mountain range, and the Sandwich Harbor Lagoon near Walvis Bay.

The Sossusvlei is one of the main highlights of the Namib-Naukluft National Park. It’s awash with huge orange dunes and eerie landscapes. It’s a drainage basin for the Tsauchab River and occasionally springs back to life during rainy times, rendering it unrecognizable when compared to its usually dry, salty appearance. Some of Namibia’s most versatile desert-adapted animals and arthropods thrive in this unpredictable environment, including the iconic oryx and the rare brown hyena.

The Naukluft Mountains are a stack of boulders moved southeast on a basal thrust fault. Both its formation and its mysterious 50 mile shift south, as well as its historic value as habitat for the San thousands of years ago and as a refuge and hiding place during the war of the 19th and 20th century render the Naukluft Mountains one of the most interesting places in Namibial.

Today the Naukluft Mountains are an important tourist destination and protected nature reserve boasting impressive landscapes, fascinating flora and fauna and many hiking trails.

Sesriem Canyon is one of the major highlights of Namib-Naukluft National Park. It’s only 0.6 miles long and reaches a height of just 100 feet, but it’s well worth a visit. The canyon is an extraordinary example of how a river can sculpt the terrain. The canyon has seasonal water, which attracts wildlife during the rainy period. During this time, pools of water collect in the canyon’s deep hollows, making it an ideal place to see and photograph wildlife.

The Deadvlei is the site of a once abundant plain where camel thorn trees stretched in all directions until the climate changed. This is when the stream became obstructed by dunes, causing the camel thorn trees to wither and die. The most interesting part is that due to the high salt content of the dry air, the trees never decayed. Instead, they’re fossilized in place providing a haunting snapshot of times as they once were. It is a favorite photo to go home with from Namib-Naukluft National Park.

Hidden Vlei is a ghostly clay pan filled with dead acacia trees tucked away among rust-colored dunes. It is the least well-known of the vleis, but is no less attractive than Deadvlei, and just as eerie. Although there are fewer trees and the adjacent dunes are shorter, the perk is that it is virtually always vacant. So before approaching Deadvlei, have a glance to your right. Look to see if there is anything for you to photograph in this peaceful environment. While shooting and enjoying the calm, appreciate the serenity and quiet of Hidden Vlei.

The Sossusvlei Sand Dunes exude a feeling of eternal peace. They are located on the outskirts of the park in the Namib Desert, roughly 60 mile from Deadvlei. Here you will witness a complete work of art created by nature, as they are created by the wind blowing from all directions. You may also encounter many types of animals that call Namib-Naukluft National Park home, such as leopard, zebra, blue wildebeest, buffalo, jackal buzzard eagles, and more.

The dune known as “Big Daddy” is situated between Sossusvlei and Deadvlei. Standing at a proud 1,066 feet, those brave enough to trek to the summit will be rewarded with stunning views, and also descend into Dead Vlei - a haunting salt pan, filled with blackened, dead camel thorn trees.

Check out Dune 45, one of the most popular sand dunes in the park. It’s a 5-million-year-old sand dune that nature has blown into an enormous pile over 560 feet tall. It’s a fairly easy hike to the top, and the views are stunning.

Things to Do

Although there’s a lot to choose from when visiting such a huge park, these are some of the standout features of the Namib Naukluft:

Hiking and Nature Walks: Namib-Naukluft National Park offers various hiking trails catering to different fitness levels - from easy to difficult day hikes, to a grueling multi-day hike. These trails provide opportunities to experience the desert's unique flora and fauna up close while enjoying the stunning scenery. All three climbs involve rough terrain and require hiking boots. You’ll also need to bring plenty of water with you.

Stargazing: With minimal light pollution, Namib-Naukluft National Park offers unparalleled stargazing opportunities. Visitors can marvel at the vastness of the night sky and observe celestial wonders such as the Milky Way, shooting stars, and constellations.

Photography: The park is a paradise for photographers, with its dramatic landscapes, contrasting colors, and ever-changing light. Sunrise and sunset are particularly magical times to capture the beauty of the dunes and desert.

Stargazing: With minimal light pollution, Namib-Naukluft National Park offers unparalleled stargazing opportunities. Visitors can marvel at the vastness of the night sky and observe celestial wonders such as the Milky Way, shooting stars, and constellations.

Wildlife Viewing: While the park is predominantly desert terrain, it is home to a surprising variety of wildlife adapted to arid conditions. Visitors may encounter animals such as oryx, springbok, ostriches, and smaller desert-adapted creatures like geckos and beetles.

Hot Air Balloon Safaris: Some tour operators offer hot air balloon rides over the Namib Desert, providing a bird’s eye view of the landscape and wildlife from above.

Quad Biking and Sandboarding: For the more adventurous traveler, quad biking and sandboarding are the perfect activities to enjoy a thrilling experience amidst the dunes.

Sandboarding: This is a popular activity, particularly in the vicinity of the famous dunes near Sossusvlei and Deadvlei dunes. These towering red sand dunes provide ideal slopes for sandboarding of all skill levels. Many visitors opt to do this with a guided tour as they provide equipment and transportation to the best sandboarding spots in the park, as well as offer valuable insight into the local flora and geological features of the desert.