Overview–namibia

Khaudum National Park

Khaudum is a great wilderness destination with a healthy population of wildlife. This is probably Namibia’s second-most productive wildlife destination, after Etosha, but much less visited. The park is mostly a self-drive destination for experienced 4x4 drivers who travel in convoy. Most big safari animals are present including lions and wild dogs. There are no rhinos or buffalo.

Best Time to Visit

The months of June to September make up the dry winter season, and this is the best time for wildlife viewing in Khaudum. Animals congregate at receding water sources and foliage thins out in these dry conditions, which makes sightings easier. In the Dry season, big herds of elephants migrate into the park from neighboring Botswana. During the Wet season, animals scatter and roads can become impassable.

May to October –Dry Season – Winter

Foliage thins out making sightings easier as animals gather at water sources
Big herds of elephants migrate into the park from Botswana
The warm weather isn’t overly oppressive (except during October)
The park never gets busy, not even during the country’s high season
Dust fills the air and conditions are very dry

November to April –Wet Season – Summer

Rainfall is a relief when it happens, but rains never last long
The scenery is more attractive, there are many flowers and the sky is clear of haze
Animals look healthy and baby animals are abundant
Best time for birding due to the arrival of migrant species
Animals are dispersed and wildlife viewing is less productive
Roads can become impassable after heavy rains
Heat can be overbearing
If visiting both Khaudum and Etosha; wildlife viewing in Etosha isn't very productive during the Wet season

Scenery

Most of the park has thick and varied vegetation with trees being a feature of the landscape. Large baobab trees are dotted throughout, and there are magnificent patches of teak as well. Marula trees and a variety of acacia trees are also common. In between these forested patches are grassy enclaves great for spotting wildlife.

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Good

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Nov

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Oct

Rates

From: $204 to $1,223 pp/day

Best Time to Go

From: June to September (Animals come to water)

High Season

From: July to November (The park never gets crowded)

Size

From: 3,842km² / 1,483mi²

Wildlife & Animals

For those who are well-equipped and experienced, Khaudum offers adventurous wildlife viewing. Most big safari animals are easily seen and predators are present in good numbers. Lions are sometimes spotted and this is one of the strongholds for wild dogs. Giraffe, zebra, and blue wildebeest are common and elephants are particularly abundant in the Dry season when they migrate from neighbouring Botswana.

Wildlife Highlights

There is a good variety of antelope in the park. Some are commonly seen throughout Namibia, such as greater kudu, oryx, steenbok, and duiker, but some are more unusual like the fast-running tsessebe and the endangered roan and sable antelope. Red hartebeest is also spotted occasionally. Of the smaller predators, side-striped jackal is quite common in the park.

Best Time for Wildlife Viewing

Khaudum is best visited in the dry months from May to October. During this time large herds of elephants migrate into the park from neighbouring Botswana. The vegetation tends to be very thick during the Wet season, from November to April, making animals more difficult to see and roads impassable. Wildlife also disperses this time of year.

General Wheather

The climate is hot in Khaudum National Park. The summer months correspond with the Wet season (November to April), while the winter season (May to October) experiences no rainfall.

Dry Season –May to October – Winter

Without rain, these are the coolest days of the year. As the season wears on, drought increases.

May, June, July & August – Warm clothes are necessary to deal with the cold early morning temperatures that are common at this time of year. It warms up throughout the day to upward of 27°C/81°F. There is, literally, no rain.
September & October – Temperatures pick up around winter’s end, with October being the hottest month of the year. The average temperature is 33°C/91°F, but peaks are much higher. Rains could start as early as the end of October, although it is difficult to predict.

Wet Season –November to April – Summer

Warmer early morning temperatures (16°C/61°F), sunshine, and sporadic afternoon showers are characteristic of the summer months. This is when the Wet season occurs.

November to December – The rains usually start in November, although they really gain traction in December. It’s more often dry than not, but there may be an occasional shower in the afternoon. Temperatures of 33°C/91°F are typical.
January, February & March – January and February are the wettest months with showers occurring mostly in the afternoon. It is sunny during the day and temperatures average 35°C/95°F.
April – There is a decline in rain during April. It slowly starts to cool down as summer ends.

Prons

Good wildlife viewing during the Dry season
Excellent wilderness experience
Little visited, off-the-beaten-track park

Cons

Thick vegetation, especially during the Wet season, makes animals difficult to spot
There are few accommodation options and limited facilities
Self-drive safari should only be undertaken by experienced 4x4 drivers

How To Get There

Khaudum National Park is located 796km/494 mi northeast of Windhoek. The park is rarely visited on an organized tour, but can be explored independently on a self-drive safari. Visitors must come with fully equipped 4x4 vehicles and ideally travel in pairs. The sandy roads are challenging, and self-drive safaris should only be undertaken by travelers who have a lot of experience with these sorts of expeditions.

Tours usually begin by 4x4 in Windhoek. The airport is Hosea Kutako International Airport (WDH) and can be found 40km/25 mi east of the city.

There are no scheduled flights to Khaudum National Park.

Airlines & Ticket Prices

Please check Skyscanner to see which airlines can take you to Hosea Kutako International Airport (WDH) and what tickets would cost.