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While Namibia has plenty to offer, its vast open spaces tend to attract several tourists from across the globe. In this spectacular country, you may encounter varied landscapes such as endless, expansive deserts, pristine shorelines, and lush forests with rivers flowing through them. While there is no dearth of places to visit in Namibia, the best way to discover the mystic landscapes of this region is by exploring the National Parks in Namibia. The Namibia National Parks network is well-connected, has a range of accommodations and is easily accessible to tourists.
Top 10 National Parks In Namibia
The Namibia National Parks are the most sought-after destinations for camping, hiking and other adventurous activities.
1. Etosha National Park
Photo: Joachim Huber / Wikimedia Commons
Etosha National Park is one of the best game reserves in Namibia and the most popular for spotting different kinds of wildlife. The diverse woodland and savanna habitat in the park attracts a wide variety of fauna, such as cheetahs, rhinos and rare antelope species. You can also spot a roan, black-faced Impala or a roan in Etosha. The best months to visit this national park are between May and October, when the animals gather around watering holes.
Location: North Namibia
Entry Fee: 150 NAD (per person), 50 NAD (Namibians)
Timings: 6:30 AM – 6 PM
2. Namib Naukluft National Park
Photo: Zairon / Wikimedia Commons
Stretching across 49,000 km, the Namib Naukluft National Park dunes constitute the heart of Namibia National Parks and the world’s oldest desert. The Sossusvlei area in the park is popular for its massive dunes, and the Deadveli area is known for camel-thorn trees, which date back over 500 years. The Namib Sky Balloon Safari excursions offer the best views of this park and neighbouring reserves. Other things to explore in this park are the walking trails and rock formations formed by the Sesriem Canyon and the Sandwich Harbour lagoon, which is a birding hotspot.
Location: Western Namibia
Entry Fee: 150 NAD (per person), 50 NAD (Namibians)
Timings: Sunrise to Sunset
3. Skeleton Coast National Park
Photo: MarkDhawn / Wikimedia Commons
Extending for around 500 km along the western coast of Namibia, the Skeleton Coast National Park is a relatively desolate landscape. While you can spot loose humans here, this park has other life forms in abundance. There is the sprawling seal colony at Cape Cross, the rare 2000-year-old Welwitschia Mirabilis from the plant world, the Benguela dolphins and the humpback whales along the coast. On the eastern end of the park, the riverbeds and canyons are home to lions, desert elephants, rhinos and diverse antelope species.
Location: Northwest coast, Namibia
Entry Fee: 150 NAD (per person), 50 NAD (Namibians)
Timings: Wednesday – Friday & Sunday (9:00 am to 8:00 pm)
4. Bwabwata National Park
Photo: Anonymous / Pxhere / Image For Representation Only
Surrounded by the Kwando River on the east and the Okavango River on the west, the Bwabwata National Park is among Namibia’s newest national parks in the northeast Zambezi region. This park exhibits a different aspect of the country, where you can find wide rivers and Kalahari woodlands instead of gravel plains and dunes. You can also spot herds of buffalo, antelope and elephants within the park, apart from around 400 bird species in the wet summer months. This park is also the biggest refuge for the Namibian wild dog population.
Location: Divundi/Bangani, Zambezi, Namibia
Entry Fee: 100 NAD (per person), 30 NAD (Namibians)
5. Nkasa Rupara National Park
Photo: Charles J. Sharp / Wikimedia Commons
Also referred to as the Nkasa Lupala Park, the Nkasa Rupara National Park is the biggest wetland conservation area in Namibia. Floods cause the water of the Kwando River to rise, causing the park to turn into a mini delta region. There are around 1000 buffalo species in this national park, which is the biggest number in the country. This park is also a primary corridor for elephants migrating to Angola and Zambia from Botswana.
Location: South-west corner of East Caprivi
Entry Fee: 100 NAD (per person), 30 NAD (Namibians)
6. Dorob National Park
Photo: Olga Ernst / Wikimedia Commons
Located along the Namibian coastline in its central region, the Dorab National Park stretches across an area spanning around 3000 sq. miles. It was the first national park to be divided into zones for separate requirements. Neighbouring with the Skeleton Coast and the Namib Naukluft National Park, the Dorab National Park maintains a protected region extending from the Ugab River to the north Kuiseb Delta. The Walvis Bay Lagoon serves as home to several wildlife and bird species. This park is well-known for its huge population and diversity of bird species. Popular wildlife includes Oryx, Springbok, Zebra, jackal and hyena. Dolphins and seals can also be spotted along the shorelines.
Location: Erongo region, Namibia
Entry Fee: 150 NAD (per person), 50 NAD (Namibians)
Timings: 7:30 am to 6:30 pm (all days except Monday)
7. Waterberg Plateau Park
Photo: GIRAUD Patrick / Wikimedia Commons
Located on the eastern part of the central highlands of Namibia national parks, the Waterberg Plateau Park covers an area of 156 sq. miles. An expansive Table Mountain soars over the plateau that rests atop the Kalahari plains of east Namibia. The plateau has an altitude of around 656 feet. Acting as a green oasis of the region, the Waterberg wilderness is a haven for wildlife. A lush ecosystem of evergreen trees, Acacia bushes, grasslands and wooded areas enables several threatened species to thrive. Popular species of this region include rhinos, oryx, giraffes, and several types of antelopes. This park is known for its hiking treks.
Location: Otjozondjupa, Namibia
Entry Fee: 150 NAD (per person), 50 NAD (Namibians)
Timings: Closes at 7:00 pm
8. Khaudam National Park
Photo: Larry Li / Unsplash / Image For Representation Only
Remote and untouched by humans, the Khaudam National Park is situated in the far northeastern part of Namibia. Established mainly for conservation purposes, the park has less than 3000 visitors annually. Located amidst the Kalahari Desert, the park’s ecosystem is supported by three rivers running through it. Frequented by elephants, the park is also home to roan antelopes and African wild digs. Leopards, lions and cheetahs are also found here. Since the park is mostly unfenced, wildlife can migrate to neighbouring conservatories. Between November and March, over 300 species of birds migrate and nest in the park area.
Location: Boesmanland, Namibia
Entry Fee: 100 NAD (per person), 30 NAD (Namibians)
Timings: 7:30 am to 4:30 pm
9. Mudumu National Park
Photo: Simon J / Pexels / Image For Representation Only
One of the five national parks in the northeast region, the Mudumu National Park is in the Caprivi region. Covering an area of around 285 sq. miles, the national park is supported by the riverine ecosystem that exists along the Kwando River. The Mudumu Mulapo River flows across the central park region during the rainy season. Popular wildlife includes African wild dogs, crocodiles, buffaloes, giraffes, elephants, antelopes, impalas, hippos and zebras. The park is also a bird haven with around 430 species migrating yearly.
Location: WG3G+C39, Muneambuanas, Namibia
Entry Fee: 100 NAD (per person), 30 NAD (Namibians
10. /Ai /Ais-Richtersveld Transfrontier Park
Photo: Javier Ábalos / Wikimedia Commons
The huge /Ai /Ais-Richtersveld Transfrontier Park and conservation area is home to the world’s second-biggest Fish River Canyon. You can obtain the best view of the canyon by hiking around 85 km to reach the viewpoint. This long, tough trail is open to visitors between May and September. At the trail’s end are hot mineral springs where weary hikers can take a dip. Soothing waters are available in both indoor and outdoor pools. The /Ai- /Ais Hot Springs has America’s biggest natural gorge, one of the richest botanical reserves, and a few of the world’s oldest rock paintings.
Location: Alexander Bay South Africa
Entry Fee: 150 NAD (per person), 50 NAD (Namibians)
Timings: 7:30 AM – 5 PM (Monday to Friday)
Namibia is a unique tourist destination due to its natural and rugged landscape. Namibia has plenty to offer, be it the oldest of deserts with the highest sand dunes, huge canyons and boundless areas of wildlife conservatories. National Parks in Namibia are home to some of the rare and exotic species of flora and fauna that have been preserved carefully. Plan your vacation to visit these natural wonders in Namibia through TriipXL and create memories for a lifetime.
Cover Photo: Bruno Almeida / Unsplash
