Where to stay in Namib-Naukluft National Park
9 hand-picked glamping camps and lodges in and around the park.
Kulala Desert Lodge
Sossusvlei Lodge
Sossusvlei Desert Lodge
Namib Desert Camping2Go
Little Kulala Lodge
Zannier Hotels Sonop
Wolwedans Desert Lodge
Wolwedans Dunes Lodge
Moon Mountain Lodge
Namib-Naukluft National Park guide
Overview
Namib-Naukluft National Park covers about 49,768 km² of the Namib Desert in western Namibia, which makes it one of the largest protected areas in Africa. It was proclaimed in 1979 and later enlarged, and it stretches from the Atlantic coast near Walvis Bay to the Naukluft Mountains inland.
The Namib is thought to be the world’s oldest desert. Its best-known part, Sossusvlei, is a pan surrounded by some of the highest sand dunes on Earth, including Big Daddy and Dune 45. Nearby are Deadvlei, a white clay pan full of dead camelthorn trees, and Sesriem Canyon.
Further north, gravel plains and inselbergs stretch towards the Kuiseb River, while the Naukluft Mountains in the east offer hiking trails and mountain zebra. Sandwich Harbour on the coast, where dunes meet the ocean, can be visited on guided 4×4 trips from Walvis Bay. Stays on the park’s edge and in neighbouring reserves such as the NamibRand Nature Reserve are popular bases.
Wildlife & Biodiversity
Desert mammals
Gemsbok (oryx) and springbok are the most common large mammals. Hartmann’s mountain zebra live in the Naukluft Mountains, and you may also see ostrich, black-backed jackal, bat-eared fox and brown hyena.
Small life
The dunes are home to creatures adapted to the fog, such as the fog-basking beetle, the web-footed gecko and the shovel-snouted lizard.
Birds
The Namib’s only true endemic bird, the dune lark, lives here, and flamingos and pelicans gather at Sandwich Harbour.
Best Time to Visit
Short answer: April to October, when days are warm rather than hot, and the nights are cold.
| Months | Season | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Apr – May | Autumn | Warm days and cooler nights. |
| Jun – Aug | Winter | Mild days and cold, clear nights. |
| Sep – Oct | Spring | Warming up, often windy. |
| Nov – Mar | Summer | Very hot. Rare rain can briefly fill the pans. |
Get to Sossusvlei for sunrise. The gate at Sesriem opens at sunrise, and guests at camps inside the gate can enter earlier.
Getting There
By air
| Airport | Best for | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Hosea Kutako International (WDH), Windhoek | All international arrivals | About 4.5 to 5 hours by road to Sesriem. |
| Walvis Bay (WVB) | Domestic and regional flights | The base for Sandwich Harbour and the northern section. |
By road
From Windhoek, drive south-west via the C24 or C26 and the Spreetshoogte or Remhoogte passes to Solitaire and Sesriem. Roads are gravel. The last 5 km to Sossusvlei are deep sand and need a 4×4, or you can take the park shuttle.
Entrance & Fees
Namibia's Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism charges a daily park entry fee per person and per vehicle. The rates below apply from 1 April 2026.
| Visitor | Adult (16+) | Child (9–15) |
|---|---|---|
| Foreign national | N$280 | N$180 |
| SADC national | N$180 | N$100 |
| Namibian citizen | N$60 | Free |
| Vehicle (up to 10 seats) | N$60 per day | – |
Children aged 8 and under enter free. Sandwich Harbour has its own lower fee.
Fees last checked October 2026 against the Namibian Government Gazette of 1 April 2026.