The Namib-Naukluft National Park covers 49,768km², making it one of the largest conservation areas in the world and the largest in Namibia. Most visitors treat it as synonymous with the Sossusvlei dune area, which occupies a relatively small section of the park’s south-eastern corner. The full park extends from the Skeleton Coast in the north to the Orange River approaches in the south, covering gravel plains, mountain massifs, coastal fog desert, and the dune sea in a single protected area of extraordinary ecological diversity.
The Park’s Sections
The Dune Sea (Sossusvlei area): The section covered by all other articles in this silo. The star dune system centred on Sossusvlei and Deadvlei, accessed from Sesriem Gate.
The Naukluft Mountains: The limestone massif at the eastern boundary. Multi-day hiking, permanent springs, klipspringer, leopard. See the Naukluft Mountains guide.
The Central Namib Gravel Plains: The vast gravel desert between the dune sea and the Naukluft, and between the dune sea and the coast. Welwitschia mirabilis, desert-adapted fauna, and the fog zone. Crossed by the roads between Sesriem and Swakopmund.
Welwitschia Flats (near Swakopmund): A Welwitschia mirabilis reserve within the broader park, accessible from the C28 east of Swakopmund. Some individual Welwitschia plants here are estimated at over 1,500 years old.
Sandwich Harbour: The coastal lagoon and tidal zone at the southern limit of the dune-coast interface, administered as part of the park.
The Brandberg Foothills (northern): The park boundary extends north to include the approaches to the Brandberg area, connecting loosely to the Damaraland region.
Regulations
| Regulation | Detail |
|---|---|
| Gate hours | Open 1 hour before sunrise; close 1 hour after sunset (inside-gate guests pre-gate access) |
| Speed limit | 60km/h on gravel roads |
| Vehicle exit | Not permitted on main circuit roads |
| Off-road driving | Not permitted; designated roads only |
| Dune climbing | Permitted on all designated dunes |
| Tree climbing (Deadvlei) | Prohibited; substantial fine |
| Collecting | No collection of any material (sand, rocks, plants) |
| Camping | Designated NWR sites only; no wild camping inside the park |
| Drones | Prohibited without specific NWR authorisation |
| Pets | Not permitted inside the park |
Entry fees: Per person and per vehicle, payable at Sesriem Gate. Current rates at nwr.com.na.
Gate and Camp Contacts
Sesriem Gate and camp: Accessible via the C19 from Solitaire or the C28 from Swakopmund. NWR reception at the camp handles accommodation queries, road condition updates, and current entry fee information.
Naukluft section: Entered from the D854 gravel road; managed separately from Sesriem. Advance booking for the Naukluft Trail through nwr.com.na.
Contact Mat-Travel for assistance with NWR bookings and park entry planning.