Overview–namibia

Tsau Khaeb National Park

The Tsau //Khaeb National Park (formerly Sperrgebiet NP) is a former diamond mining site. It is the most biodiverse region in Namibia with a remarkable wealth of flora, especially succulents. Most of the park can only be visited by certain tour operators and special permits are required. The exception is Kolmanskop (a ghost town and relic of the diamond era) and Agate Beach.

Best Time to Visit

Tsau //Khaeb (formerly Sperrgebiet NP) can be visited throughout the year, but in general, the best time to go is in the cooler months from May to October.

May to October –Dry Season – Winter

Cooler around midday (except for October)
It is cold in the early morning
Lüderitz, the base for exploring the park, can get busy in high season

November to April –Wet Season – Summer

Bird watching is a big attraction, especially when migrants are present
Low-season rates might apply to hotels in Lüderitz from December to June
It can be very hot
If visiting both Tsau //Khaeb NP and Etosha NP; wildlife viewing in Etosha isn't that productive

Scenery

The park consists of desert, grassland with Granite Mountains and rocky outcrops. The arid area is very stark and some parts resemble a moon landscape. The pristine Succulent Karoo ecosystem has the highest diversity of succulent flora in the world and is listed as one of the world’s top 34 biodiversity hotspots.

Excellent

Good

Fair

Poor

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sept

Oct

Jan

Feb

Mar

April

Nov

Dec

Rates

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

Best Time to Go

From: May to October (It is cooler)

High Season

From: July to November (Lüderitz gets busy)

Size

From: 22,000km² / 8,494mi²

Wildlife & Animals

Tsau //Khaeb (formerly Sperrgebiet NP) isn’t a wildlife destination, but lucky visitors might encounter a few species. There are small populations of oryx, springbok, grey rhebok, leopard, aardwolf, black-backed jackal, brown hyena and even cheetah. Some of the smaller creatures that might be encountered are the African wild cat, bat-eared fox and clawless otters.

Wildlife Highlights

Most of Tsau //Khaeb’s wildlife can be found offshore. Thirty five species of whales and dolphins have been recorded. Heaviside's dolphins, which occur in the region, are one of the rarest dolphin species in the world. There are two seal species in the park, the enormous Southern elephant seal and the more common Cape fur seals.

Best Time for Wildlife Viewing

Tsau //Khaeb can be visited throughout the year as wildlife viewing is hit-and-miss at any time. There is very little rain and, when it does rain, it is usually welcome. The cooler winter months from May to September are the most pleasant for a visit.

General Wheather

Tsau //Khaeb National Park (formerly Sperrgebiet) has a warm and dry climate. It is mostly sunny and there is minimal rainfall.

The altitude in the park varies widely, from sea level (0m/0ft) to 1,488m/4,882ft. Temperatures drop by about 6.5°C for every increase of 1,000m (or 3.5°F per 1,000ft), resulting in wide-ranging contrasts in climate within the park. Most tourism is at lower altitudes and those areas get hotter than the averages shown in the chart above.

Winter –May to October

The coolest time of year brings very little rainfall.

May, June, July & August – Abundant sun goes hand-in-hand with the dry conditions. Afternoon temperatures average approximately 22°C/72°F. It will get much hotter in lower altitude areas. It is cold in the early morning (bring warm winter clothes!) with temperatures averaging 7°C/45°F.
September & October – The dry, sunny conditions continue as winter comes to an end. Average temperatures increase to 24°C/75°F and are higher at lower altitudes. Early mornings are warmer, but still chilly, with average temperatures of around 9°C/48°F.

Summer –November to April

These are the warm, summer months. Rainfall increases slightly from February to April and peaks in March. Early mornings are less bitter than during the winter months and temperatures range up to about 13°C/55°F.

November, December & January – It is still very dry and temperatures increase to an average of 27°C/81°F during most afternoons. It will get a great deal warmer at lower altitude areas, where most visitors go.
February, March & April – These are the only months when good rainfall might occur. It is still mostly dry and sunny. Occasional afternoon storms can be expected. It usually cools down after rain and average daytime temperatures are around 26°C/79F.

Prons

Biodiversity hotspot with great botanical interest
Easy daytrip from the town of Lüderitz
Interesting desert scenery

Cons

Most of the park can only be visited with special permits and through certain tour operators
Very few animals, both in variety and numbers

How To Get There

Tsau //Khaeb National Park (formerly Sperrgebiet National Park) is located a few kilometers/miles from Lüderitz town. There is no accommodation in the park and visitors usually stay in Lüderitz, located about 680km/423mi from Windhoek. The road from Windhoek to Lüderitz is accessible by normal 2WD car and the drive takes about 8 hours*. To visit most places in the park you need to book a trip with a local tour operator and special permits are required. Agate Beach, on the edge of the park, and Kolmanskop can be visited independently by self-drive visitors using a 4x4 vehicle.

All tours (self-drive and organized safaris) normally start in Windhoek by way of 4x4 vehicles. The main point of entry into Namibia is Hosea Kutako International Airport (WDH), located 40km/25mi east of Windhoek.

There are currently no scheduled domestic flights to Tsau //Khaeb. Charter flights, leaving Eros Airport (ERS), are usually organized by your tour operator.

*Driving times are only a rough indication. You should always consider the possibility of significant delays.

Airlines & Ticket Prices

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