Namibia is a country located in Africa's southwest coast. The Namib Desert, which lines along Namibia's Atlantic coast, is the source of this country's name. This country, officially known as the Republic of Namibia, is excellent for travelers who enjoy vast landscapes, untouched sand dunes, and ancient rocks.
One of Namibia's most popular tourist attractions is the Namib Naukluft Park. We have tried providing the best guide on Namib Naukluft Park, Namibia: How To Reach, Best Time & Tips for you, which you can add to your next travel plan. So keep reading!
An Overview of Namib Naukluft Park, Namibia
The largest park in Africa and the 4th largest worldwide is Namib Naukluft National Park. The 40,000 sq. kilometer park is divided into four sections: Sandwich Harbour, Namib section, Sossusvlei and Sesriem, and Naukluft.
The Namib-Naukluft National Park is nestled among the rolling, deep orange sands of the Namib Desert. It is home to various landscapes, including extensive gravel plains, massive dunes, inselbergs, and mountain plains. It is the fourth-largest national park worldwide and the largest in Africa. From a small game reserve in 1907 to a huge national park, it has grown in size.
The public can only see a small portion of this enormous and distinctive landscape. There are numerous activities, such as hiking, spotting wildlife, and hunting. Here, you can witness Namib-Naukluft Park animals, such as cheetahs, lions, and elephants.
Highlights of the National Park of Namib-Naukluft
There are a few locations in Namib-Naukluft National Park that you must not miss. Sesriem Canyon and the Sossusvlei dunes are the park's main draws. These two locations are undoubtedly worth visiting because they have some of the most breathtaking scenery in the park.
Though very isolated and unreachable, the region north of the Kuiseb River is a highlight with its dune fields, mountains, and the salt pan known as Sossusvlei. If you have the time, you should explore this area of the park as it is genuinely unique. Enjoying the wildlife while driving through the national park is highly recommended. It provides an incredibly picturesque desert landscape with a wealth of open areas for exploration. Some of the things to see in the park are as follows:
Naukluft Mountains
The park's eastern boundary is formed by the roughly 2000-meter-tall Naukluft Mountains. In the 1930s, German geologists Henno Martin and Hermann Korn produced the first geological cross-sections and maps of the mountain range.
Sesriem Canyon
One of the main attractions of Namib-Naukluft National Park is the Sesriem Canyon. Despite being only 100 feet high and 1 km long, it is definitely worth a visit. The canyon is a breathtaking illustration of how a river can change the landscape. The Tsauchab River cut a gorge with varying-sized rock layers as it flowed through the terrain.
Larger rocks in the canyon were formed by intense water flow. When the current was not as strong, those formations with smaller pebbles and higher sand concentrations were created. As the canyon gets closer to its destination of Sossusvlei, it becomes more level. Seasonal water in the canyon draws wildlife during the rainy season.
Deadvlei
Until weather conditions changed, Deadvlei was the Tsauchab River's terminus. The camel thorn trees began to wither and die at this point because the stream became blocked by dunes. But the sun-burned skeleton trunks have held together because of the area's aridity and the absence of insects that eat wood.
Sossusvlei Sand Dunes
The crimson dunes of Sossusvlei are a natural artwork. The desert has an air of simplicity and unending tranquility. Numerous animal species can be seen in Namib-Naukluft National Park, such as zebras, buffalo, blue wildebeest, jackals, buzzard eagles, and leopards.
The dunes of Sossusvlei are situated approximately 100 kilometers away from Deadvlei in the Namib Desert, on the park's perimeter. The desert is breathtakingly beautiful from both spots.
Big Daddy
The "Big Daddy" dune is situated between Deadvlei and Sossusvlei. At the top is an incredible vantage point of the dune sea flowing into the distance. A five-minute adrenaline rush follows as you speed down the dune slide and land straight in the pan.
How To Reach Namib Naukluft Park, Namibia
Access to Namib-Naukluft National Park is possible both by road and aircraft.
By Road
The majority of visitors to the park come to see the Sossusvlei area, which is reachable from the Sesriem entry point and is roughly 360 km/223 mi away from Windhoek by car. There are various sections within Namib-Naukluft National Park, each with a different entry point. You can take a self-drive safari or book an organized tour to explore the park. Standard 2WD cars can access and navigate the park's main routes. Minor roads require permits, and a four-wheel-drive vehicle is advised.
By Plane
Hosea Kutako International Airport (WDH), situated 40 km/25 mi east of Windhoek, serves as the primary entry point into Namibia. To get to the park, you can rent a taxi at the airport or drive yourself.
Best Time To Visit Namib Naukluft Park, Namibia
It is essential to know when the best time to visit Namibia is because it affects availability, airfare, accommodation costs, and the type of weather visitors can expect for their safari vacation. Namibia's top travel destination, Namib-Naukluft, is known more for its breathtaking desert landscape and less for its wildlife.
As a result, visitors can enjoy the park all year long, though May through October is the most comfortable period due to its cooler temperatures. It can get really hot other than these months, so you may choose not to spend as much time outside. Meanwhile, the best time to visit Etosha National Park is between May and December.
Conclusion
This article of Namib Naukluft Park, Namibia: How To Reach, Best Time & Tips has all the information you need to plan your trip efficiently. So do visit this location, and you will never forget the lasting effect that Namib-Naukluft National Park's massive red dunes will have on your inner being. So, put together everything for a trip to explore Namibia's most incredible tourist attraction with your loved ones amidst the breathtaking natural scenery.
