Namib-Naukluft National Park

Endless Dunes and Desert Drama

Namib-Naukluft National Park spans over five thousand square kilometers in Namibia’s arid central region. The landscape features vast red sand dunes, ancient gravel plains and scattered mountain ranges that rise sharply from the desert floor. Unique wildlife such as oryx, springbok and ostriches roam these dry valleys where water is scarce but life adapts to harsh conditions. Visitors experience wide-open skies, dramatic light changes at sunrise and sunset and quiet expanses that highlight Namibia’s reputation for untouched wilderness.

Add to list Map view

National Park in Namibia

$$$

$	Cheap
$$	Medium
$$$	Expensive, upscale
$$$+	Very expensive, luxury

See price details

Safety: 5.5

General Safety:	8
Health & medical:	2
Accessibility:	2
Tap water:	2

Read details

4/5

English is widely spoken at lodges, camps, and by park staff. Most signage and information are in English, so communication is easy for international visitors. In remote areas, basic English is usually understood.

Highlights Attractions Getting there Hotels Tips Travel costs Safety Articles

Last update: 25 Oct 2026

* We earn a commission from some links on this page.

Namib-Naukluft National Park Summary

These place ratings give you a quick overview of how well a destination matches different types of trips.

‘Best for’ scores:
The specific interest scores show where this place really shines – whether it's ideal for hiking, food & drink experiences, museums or other activities. These highlights help you understand what makes the destination special at a glance.

‘Your personal’ scores:
This reflects how well a place matches your personal preferences. You can adjust the importances of travel topics or other personal requirements categories in your account settings.

‘Suited for’ badges:
These give you a quick overview of how well a destination suits specific types of travellers, to help you find the places that match your lifestyle, preferences or travel situation.

Read how our scores work

World-class for desert scenery. Climb towering sand dunes, photograph surreal landscapes, hike desert trails and spot wildlife in harsh environments.

Place score

8.2

Best at:

Deserts

Natural sites

Stargazing

Secluded

Spotless

Personal score

Suited for

👶 5

Families

🧓 4

Seniors

❤️ 8

Couples

♻️ 7

Sustainability

Namibia – Quick facts

Guide Etiquette Holidays Other

Power Grid:	230 V, 50 Hz Plug: Type D , Type M Type D: Type M: Read about power adapters
Currency:	Namibian Dollar (NAD) £1 ≈ NAD 22.10
Cashless info:	Rating 3/5 Cashless payments are becoming more widespread in Namibia, especially in urban centres. However, many rural areas and smaller businesses may still rely on cash. Save with a travel credit card
eSIM providers:	Best value: Saily Flexibility: Airalo Read our in-depth comparison

Tipping:	Tipping is common in Namibia, with 10% being standard in restaurants. Taxi drivers may expect a tip of around 10% or rounding up the fare. Hotel staff and guides appreciate small tips of N$20-50.
Public drinking:	Public drinking is generally accepted in Namibia, especially in designated areas or during festivals. Some municipalities may have restrictions on alcohol consumption in public spaces.
Public smoking:	Smoking is prohibited indoors in public places, including restaurants and shops. Designated smoking areas are available in most places.

Independence Day (March)	Celebrations in major cities, expect some closures and increased local activities.
Christmas (December)	Christmas celebrations are popular, expect crowded areas and higher prices.
Oshana Harvest Festival (September)	Traditional cultural event with festivities and celebrations.

Emergency contact:	Emergency Number: 112 (Police, Fire, Ambulance)
Taxi apps:	Bolt, Yego
Other:	Namibia is known for its stunning landscapes and wildlife. Be prepared for long distances between towns and ensure you're adequately prepared for travel in remote areas.

Best times to travel

The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.

Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.

Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.

Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.

Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.

for Namib-Naukluft National Park, Namibia

🔥

Jan

🌦️

Feb

☀️

Mar

☀️

Apr

☀️

May

☀️

Jun

☀️

Jul

☀️

Aug

☀️

Sep

🔥

Oct

🔥

Nov

🔥

Dec

High season:	June - Oct.
Shoulder season:	April - May, Nov.
Crowdedness:	6 (Many tourists)

Tap on a month for more info Hover over a month for more info

Climate details

Lodges and campsites near Sossusvlei sell out months ahead from June to October

Dune climbs only at sunrise or late afternoon; midday heat above 40°C is dangerous from November to March

Park gates open at sunrise; only Sesriem campsite guests enter earlier for the dunes

Don't miss

🌅 Climb Big Daddy dune for sunrise and desert views
🌵 Explore the eerie Dead Vlei clay pan and ancient trees
🧗 Hike Sesriem Canyon’s narrow rock walls and riverbed
🎈 Take a hot air balloon flight over endless red dunes
🦌 Spot oryx, springbok, and desert-adapted wildlife

You've been here?

Why travel to Namib-Naukluft National Park?

This park is a dream for anyone who loves epic scenery, solitude and a sense of adventure. Climb the world’s tallest dunes at Sossusvlei, wander the haunting salt pans of Deadvlei or hike through the Naukluft Mountains’ rugged ravines. The wildlife is uniquely adapted – think oryx, mountain zebra, jackals and even leopards in the hills. Birders will love the flamingos and pelicans at Sandwich Harbour, while photographers will be in heaven at sunrise or sunset when the dunes glow orange and pink. But it’s not for the faint-hearted: the park is vast and remote and summer temperatures can be scorching. Roads are often gravel and can be tricky after rare rains. You’ll need to bring plenty of water, fuel and supplies – services are few and far between. Still, if you’re looking for true wilderness and otherworldly beauty, Namib-Naukluft is unforgettable.

🏯Places worth seeing

1 Solitaire
2 Sossusvlei
3 Dead Vlei
4 Dune 45
5 Kuiseb Canyon
6 Sandwich Harbour

🎡Places for activities

1 Sesriem Canyon

🏞️Natural landmarks

1 Big Daddy Dune
2 Kuiseb River
3 Sesriem Canyon

🎈Events

Desert Ultra Marathon
Photography workshops
Birdwatching weekends
Guided hiking expeditions
Stargazing events

Explore on map

Open map view

Knowledge before you go

Book park permit and accommodation months ahead.
Visit Sossusvlei and Deadvlei at dawn for magical light on towering red dunes before intense midday heat arrives.
Enter via Sesriem gate early; drive to Dune 45 for climbing, then explore Sesriem Canyon with its seasonal pools.
Naukluft Mountains offer strenuous hikes with rare desert flora; carry 3L water per person and hike only in cooler months.

How to travel to Namib-Naukluft National Park

Most visitors arrive by car from Windhoek (about 5 hours to Sesriem) or Swakopmund. The nearest airports are in Windhoek and Walvis Bay. Self‑drive is the norm, but some fly‑in safaris are available. Roads are mostly gravel‑drive carefully, especially after rain.

Access summary

From Windhoek Hosea Kutako Airport (WDH): 4–6 hr drive by 4x4 rental.
From Windhoek city: Guided tour shuttles or self-drive, around 4.5–6 hr.
From Swakopmund/Walvis Bay: Scenic self-drive via desert roads, about 4.5–5 hr.

Check your route from anywhere

Where to stay in Namib-Naukluft National Park

Accommodation ranges from luxury desert lodges with epic views to rustic campsites and eco-friendly tented camps. Book well ahead for lodges inside or near the park. Camping is popular but basic-bring your own supplies. Solitaire and Sesriem are the main bases for exploring Sossusvlei.

Hotel recommendations

*by rating and popularity. Commissions have no influence on the rankings.

Beach Hotel Swakopmund

8.8

Strand Hotel Swakopmund

9.3

Sossusvlei Lodge

8.9

Swakopmund Hotel & Entertainment Centre

8.7

Artemis Hotel Swakopmund

Desert Sands Boutique BB Self Catering

8.8

Protea Hotel Walvis Bay Pelican Bay

8.7

Cornerstone Guesthouse

9.8

Explore more accommodations

How to get around Namib-Naukluft National Park

You’ll need your own vehicle – ideally a 4x4-to explore most of the park. Main sights like Sossusvlei and Sesriem are accessible by gravel roads, but distances are long and fuel stations rare. Guided tours and transfers are available from lodges. Hiking is popular in the Naukluft Mountains, but trails can be tough and remote – carry water, a map and let someone know your plans.

Budget snapshot

Costs compared to home

We calculate the average costs when travelling to destinations and compare those with the living costs at your home. With this you can get an estimate of how expensive or cheap the destination is for you.

To customise this, you can set up which location and price level are used for the calculations in your account settings.

-71 %

Daily expenses in the region are around 71% lower than the average across United States. That means you'll spend a lot less on meals and getting around.

Exchange rate trend

The exchange rate price factor shows how expensive or cheap a currency currently is compared to its historical average. It's a quick way to see if a country is currently more or less affordable due to exchange rate changes.

-2 %

Your exchange rate (GBP to NAD) is 2% better than in recent years. That means travelling now costs around the same compared to the past.

Travel costs

To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when travelling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.

Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.

Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.

Daily cost summary

Travel style categories explained:

Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.

Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.

Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.

	Backpacker	Mid-range	Luxury
💵 Total costs per day, including accommodation	£70	£143	£367
🏨 Accommodation per night, per person	£56	£120	£300
🍝 Food per day	£11	£19	£54
🚕 Transportation per day	£3	£4	£12

Food & Drink

🍽️ Restaurant Dinner, per person	£8.50
🍛 Lunch Set, per person	£2.30
🍟 Fast food combo	£2.80
🍝 Preparing your own food, per day	£4.70
☕ Cappuccino	£1.40
🍺 Beer in a restaurant, 0.5 l	£0.90

Transportation

🚌 Public transport ticket	£0.60
🚕 Taxi Ride, 10 km / 6 mi	£7
⛽ Petrol, 1 l	£0.65

Other

🎞️ Cinema ticket	£5
👩‍⚕️ Doctor's consult	£14
🤧 Cold medication	£6
💇 Basic haircut	£4.20

Safety information overview

General safety

Namib-Naukluft is very safe from crime, but the environment is unforgiving. Dehydration, heatstroke and getting lost are the main risks. Always carry plenty of water, tell someone your plans and never hike or drive off marked routes alone.

Health & Medical

Medical facilities are extremely limited — nearest clinics are hours away. Bring all necessary medications and a good first aid kit. Watch for sunburn, dehydration and insect bites. Emergency help can take time to reach remote areas.

Accessibility

Main dunes and viewpoints are accessible by car, but most trails and sights require walking on sand or rocky paths. The park is not well-suited for those with limited mobility. Facilities are basic — check with your lodge for specific accessibility needs.

Tap water

Tap water at lodges and camps is usually safe, but in remote areas, bring your own or use bottled water. Never drink from natural sources. Always carry extra water for drives and hikes.