Home to some truly bizarre forms of life, much of the 80 – 250km-wide and 2000km in long coastal Namib Desert. This is one of the largest national parks in Africa stretching from Angola in the north to South Africa in the south. In fact, Namib means ‘vast’ in the Nama language. The Namib Desert is basically uninhabited apart from some very small settlements due to the harshness of the conditions.
What is it like to visit the Namib Desert?
One aspect about Namibia that you will never forget are the night skies. This video was created by the photographic genius that is Marsel van Oosten. Take a moment to be inspired. Visit his website www.squiver.com
When is the best time to go to the Namib Desert?
The temperatures along the coast a generally 9 – 20 Degrees thus great for a year round visit. Saying that in summer (November to March) you can experience highs inland up to 45 degrees.
April – May – Great time to visit as it relatively green and mild
June – August – Chilly at night but dry during the day (it is a desert)
September – October – Best Time to visit so plan early. Starts warming up and a great time to visit for game viewing.
November – March – Is by all means warm with potential thundershowers at mid day to cool the air down.
What is there to visit in the Namib Desert?
The Namib-Naukluft National Park
The Namib-Naukluft National Park is bordered by the Namib Desert (considered the oldest in the world) in the west and the Kalahari Desert in the east. The reserve’s dry southern location provides every visitor with exquisite views. It is the most versatile conservation region of Namibia, and is one of the country’s main tourist destinations. This expansive wilderness is bigger than Germany, reaching the size of around 49,768 square kilometres, making it the biggest game park in all of Africa and the fourth biggest in the world. It also encompasses vital features, including Sossusvlei, Sesriem, the Welwitschia Trail, Sandwich Harbour, the Naukluft Mountains and the Kuiseb Canyon. There is a variety of landscapes in the Park, such as dunes, gravel plains and rugged mountainous regions. The reserve is one of the least populated areas in the country, giving guests a true sense of the nature and enormity of the Park, providing beautiful and clear evening skies.
An astonishing assortment of animals inhabits this arid area, such as hyena, gemsbok, jackal, snakes, geckos and intriguing insects such as the Namib desert beetle, a unique insect that collects water on its back. Moisture enters the Park as fog that floats off the Atlantic Sea then falls as rain, giving the region an annual rainfall of approximately 106 millimetres, all between the months of February and April. The winds that help in bringing this fog in are also responsible for forming the Park’s massive sand dunes that show their age with their burnt orange hue. Sossusvlei’s dunes are amongst the highest in the world, rising in certain areas to heights of over 400 metres above the desert ground. Lagoons, wetlands and mudflats draw in an abundance of birdlife.
Namib means ‘open space’, and the Namib Desert offered its name to help create ‘Namibia’, which means ‘land of open spaces’. The reserve was founded in 1907 after the German Colonial Administration declared the region between the Swakop River and the Kuiseb River a game park. The Naukluft portion completes the other half of the Namib and includes such features as the Naukluft Mountains and huge rock formations that make the region a geologist’s heaven. The reserve contains five different vegetation communities that result in plenty of tree and shrub vegetation, and a wide range of aloes. In addition to the Hartmann’s mountain zebra found here, there are also plenty of kudu, gemsbok, klipspringer, duiker, steenbok, leopard, baboon, black-backed jackal, bat-eared fox, African wild cat, caracal and aardwolf. Naukluft’s steep escarpments are the nesting lands for numerous cliff-breeding bird species, including majestic Black eagles.
The Naukluft Mountains are located in the northeast of Sesriem, where the primary slope juts out into the desert, creating a range that is known as the Naukluft Mountains. These mountains were guarded within the Park in 1968 in order to protect a rare breeding concentration of Hartmann’s mountain zebra. Briefly following this, land was purchased to the west of the mountains and was joined to the reserve, thus creating a corridor that links the mountains to the Park. This permitted oryx, zebra and other wildlife to migrate between the two regions, and in 1979 the reserves were eventually combined to form the Namib-Naukluft National Park. Though most of the land in the Park tends to be rocky and lightly peppered with plant life, the ravines and valleys are lush. The area boasts an incredible variety of fauna and flora, and is a scenic must-see for anyone preparing a visit to Namibia.
Sossusvlei
Sossusvlei is a salt and clay pan amid towering red dunes in the southern part of the Namib desert, which is part of the Namib-Naukluft National Park. Rust-red dunes mark this territory by rising 300 metres above the valley floor, a spectacular sight to see.
What is there to do in the Namib Desert?
Sossusvlei and Sesreim National Parks
Sandwich harbour
Game drives
Hiking
Steenbok, springbok, oryx, kudu, zebra, rock dassie, klipspringer and much more
Huge red sand dunes
Camel thorn trees
Vlei
Hot Air Balloon over the Desert
Namib Desert Map
Interesting fact about the Namib Desert
The Famous Namib Desert Beetle
The Namib Desert Beetle originated in the dry desert of Southern Africa. With such a small percentage of rain per year (1.4cm), this beetle survives by collecting water on its back that has small ridges on it. The beetle teeters on its little legs and faces into the breeze and spreads out its wings, thus collecting droplets of moisture from fog on its bumpy back. These droplets flatten as they come into contact with hydrophilic (water-attracting) surfaces which allows the droplets to accumulate. Eventually the droplets become heavy at which point it drops into the beetle’s mouth.
In fact a US company wants to mimic the beetle that stores water by creating a self-filling water bottle. They want to cover the surface of a bottle with hydrophilic material, much the same as the beetle has on its back. They are in the process of building a functional prototype, says Miguel Galvez, the co-founder of the company. “We think our initial prototype will collect anywhere from half a litre of water to three litres per hour, depending on local environments.”
Namib Desert Tours
Namib Desert Reviews
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Tour Length 7 days Group Size Max 20 Starts & Ends Starts: Victoria Falls Ends: Maun Countries Zimbabwe, Botswana, Overview Embark on an unforgettable 7 day Accommodated Botswana adventure, beginning in the vibrant adventure hub of Victoria Falls. Witness the awe-inspiring spectacle of the world's most expansive curtain of water before journeying into Botswana's legendary wildlife areas. Experience the serene allure of a Chobe National Park river cruise, famous for its beauty and prolific wildlife, and traverse the stark, captivating landscapes of the Makgadikgadi Pans. Your journey continues into the heart of the wilderness: the remarkable Moremi Game Reserve, renowned for hosting some of Southern Africa's densest fauna concentrations, and the intriguing Khwai Conservation Area, bordering the immense Okavango Delta. Explore these rich reserves from the comfort of open 4x4 safari vehicles and enjoy iconic Delta activities like a tranquil mokoro excursion and a guided nature walk, concluding your comprehensive wildlife journey in the frontier town of Maun -
Tour Length 15 days Group Size Max 12 Starts & Ends Starts: Victoria Falls Ends: Victoria Falls Countries Zimbabwe, Botswana, Namibia Overview This all inclusive small group accommodated Zimbabwe and Botswana Safari , explores the incredible culture and natural splendour of both countries en route. Admire the Zimbabwe Ruins and the majestic Victoria Falls. Head into the Okavango Delta by means of a mokoro (traditional dug-out canoe) and observe giant herds of elephant in the Chobe National Park by boat. This expedition covers everything from wildlife to history and culture. The accommodation is graded at 3-4 stars and are chosen not only for the service and comfort level but for the wonderful locations and wildlife viewing opportunities. All linen and bedding is provided. Most meals are provided by the lodge. Should you be a single traveller you will be roomed up with another same gender traveller unless you prefer a single supplement (limited to 2 travellers). -
Tour Length 11 days Group Size Max 8 Starts & Ends Starts: Antananarivo Ends: Antananarivo Countries Madagascar Overview Explore Madagascar's wonders on an unforgettable small-group adventure! Led by expert guides, this immersive journey starts and ends in Antananarivo. Spot playful lemurs, including the elusive Aye-Aye, in Andasibe National Park. Cruise the scenic Pangalanes Canals and unwind on pristine beaches. Island-hop to Ile Sainte Marie and Ile aux Nattes for optional activities like snorkeling, diving, fishing, or simply soaking up the tropical paradise. This Madagascar tour offers a unique blend of wildlife encounters, cultural immersion, and island relaxation – all in comfortable accommodation with experienced guides by your side! -
Tour Length 7 days Group Size Max 20 Starts & Ends Starts: Victoria Falls Ends: Maun Countries Zimbabwe, Botswana, Overview Embark on an unforgettable 7 day Botswana adventure from Victoria Falls to Maun, immersing yourself in iconic Southern African landscapes. Explore the prolific Chobe National Park with a river cruise, traverse the Makgadikgadi Pans, and venture into the wildlife-rich Moremi Game Reserve. Discover the wonders of the Okavango Delta including a traditional mokoro trip and thrilling game drives in the Khwai Conservation Area. This journey promises incredible wildlife encounters and an authentic wilderness experience across Botswana's best destination -
Tour Length 6 days Group Size Min 2 Max 8 Starts & Ends Starts: Durban Ends: Cape Town Countries South Africa Overview Embark on an unforgettable 6 day adventure from Durban to Cape Town, experiencing South Africa's diverse landscapes and iconic landmarks. Journey through the rugged Wild Coast, lush forests of Tsitsikamma National Park, and scenic Garden Route, visiting highlights like Addo Elephant Park, the impressive Bloukrans bridge, beautiful Knysna Heads and lagoon, the unique Cango Caves, a working Ostrich farm, and the picturesque Cape Winelands. This incredible journey promises a rich and memorable exploration of South Africa's natural beauty and top attractions. -
Tour Length 7 days Group Size Max 20 Starts & Ends Starts: Maun Ends: Victoria Countries Botswana, Zimbabwe Overview Embark on the ultimate 7 day Botswana Adventure, a journey from Maun to the majestic Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe. This extraordinary adventure plunges you deep into the heart of southern Africa's most captivating wild areas, inviting you to seek elusive fauna across renowned landscapes. Experience the legendary Okavango Delta firsthand, poling silently on traditional mokoros or enjoying an optional scenic flight over its vast expanse. Explore the Khwai Conservation Area with guided nature walks before embarking on exhilarating 4x4 game drives in the renowned Moremi Game Reserve, celebrated as a paradise boasting one of Southern Africa's highest concentrations of mesmerizing creatures. Travel via the Makgadikgadi Pans to the enchanting Chobe National Park, where an unforgettable river boat cruise brings you face-to-face with abundant animals, especially elephants, gathering at the river's edge. Conclude your expedition at the awe-inspiring spectacle of Victoria Falls, known locally as "Mosi-oa Tunya" (the smoke that thunders), witnessing its immense power and accessing a range of optional activities. Prepare for an unforgettable expedition filled with captivating beauty and remarkable wildlife encounters across Botswana and ending at this natural wonder -
Tour Length 8 days Group Size Min 2 Starts & Ends Starts: Kruger National Park Ends: Maputo Countries South Africa, Mozambique Overview Unleash your inner adventurer with an 8-day escapade fusing South Africa's untamed Kruger wilds and Mozambique's idyllic beaches. Begin at Jock Safari Lodge, immersing yourself in Kruger's legendary game drives and walking safaris, where elephants, lions, and giraffes reign supreme. Then, transition to the sun-kissed shores of Mozambique's Santa Maria Peninsula at Machangulo Beach Lodge. Here, pristine white sands meet turquoise waters, inviting you to snorkel vibrant coral reefs, savor fresh seafood, and bask in pure coastal bliss. This seamless blend of thrilling wildlife encounters and tranquil beach relaxation creates an unforgettable African odyssey. -
Tour Length 7 days Group Size Max 6 Starts & Ends Starts: Moshi Ends: Arusha Countries Tanzania Overview This 7-day itinerary immerses you in Tanzania's natural beauty and wildlife, combining thrilling game drives with comfortable lodge stays. You will be exploring the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater with a guaranteed window seat in a 4x4 safari vehicle with a pop-up roof and create memories to last a lifetime. -
Tour Length 7 days Group Size Max 20 Starts & Ends Starts: Maun Ends: Victoria Countries Botswana, Zimbabwe Overview Embark on a 7 day adventure from Maun to Victoria Falls exploring the highlights of Northern Botswana. This immersive safari takes you through the Okavango Delta with mokoro excursions, the wildlife-rich areas of Khwai and Moremi, the vast Makgadikgadi Pan, and Chobe National Park for game drives and a river cruise. The tour culminates in experiencing the majestic Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe -
Tour Length 8 days Group Size Max 12 Starts & Ends Starts: Kampala Ends: Kigali Countries Uganda, Rwanda Overview Explore hidden wonders as tourism returns to Uganda and Rwanda! Join our small-group adventure for an intimate experience in this captivating region. Track chimps and gorillas in the wild, embark on thrilling wildlife drives through Queen Elizabeth National Park, and confront the past at a poignant genocide museum. This unforgettable journey will leave a lasting impression. Book yours today and discover the enduring magic of Uganda & Rwanda!