​User Reviews – Namib-Naukluft NP

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Maarten Elings   –  
Netherlands NL
Visited: November 2016 Reviewed: Jun 8, 2017

Email Maarten Elings  |  20-35 years of age  |  Experience level: over 5 safaris

Overall rating
5/5

This is truly a must-see in Namibia. It was our first experience with the desert in our lives and it was absolutely breath-taking.

Start your days early (the ground temperature can rise to 80°C) and visit the Deadvlei, Sossusvlei and climb the Dune 45 (before 11:00, because of the exposure and heat).
Be sure to bring plenty of water and sunscreen. The view from Dune 45 is astonishing. It gives a broad overview of the area and you’ll be able to see the massive Big Daddy and Big Momma dunes.

An advice we learned while visiting: if you go early enough then climb it on your bare feet. If you can’t make it to the dune early in the morning then climb it while wearing socks.
The soft sand makes it hard to walk on either sneakers or walking shoes.

Most campsites have waterholes for the Oryx’s. In our case we had one just a few meters from our cottage so during the day (and especially the night!) it was swarming with desert foxes and Oryx’s.
If there is a pool near your campsite/cottage then make sure to visit it at night. It usually attracts thirsty wildlife.

Anna Wikman   –  
Ethiopia ET
Visited: November 2015 Reviewed: Mar 22, 2016

Email Anna Wikman  |  20-35 years of age  |  Experience level: over 5 safaris

For sand lovers <3
Overall rating
5/5

Driving from Windhoek to Sesriem entrance gate was one of the most liberating things I'v done in a long time. We rented a 4x4 Toyota Hilux in Windhoek, packed out things and drove into the wild. No guide, only our guide book.

First stop was Desert camp in Sossusvlei, just outside theNamib Naukluft National Park entrance . The camp has a gas station next door equipped with cold beer, ice cream, bbq stuff and outside the store by the camping tables a mist raining over you when you're eating your ice-cream. Big plus in the heat.

Gates open between 6.00-6.45am (depending on season), but be at the gate at least 15-20 min before. We came just 5 min before and had a whole caravan before us waiting at the gate.

The morning drive was just amazing, no pot holes, red dunes, a few oryxes running in the sun rise. We drove to the Sossusvlei area to do the morning desert drive, prepared to do it ourselves in out powerful 4x4. Arriving to the end of the tarmac road though we spotted the first 4x$ stuck in the sand, we quickly decided to take the park service. No doubt would it been fun to drive around in the sand, but the heat comes quickly and if you want to save time and energy, take the service.

Hiking in the sand is tough, bring water, sun screen and a hat. Arriving to Deadvlie we spotted a beautiful fashion shooting taking place, which says something about the scenery. If you are planning to hike up the Sossusvlei dune, do that in the early morning.

Solitaire is a great stop on the way, great coffee and apple cake and a lot of vintage cars having out in the back ground makes great scenery.





reggief340   –  
Russia RU
Visited: December 2009 Reviewed: May 1, 2012

Email reggief340  |  35-50 years of age

Travelling alone I experienced the most wonderful experience on the senses in this Park.
Overall rating
5/5

For the past ten years I have travelled alone to some outstanding destinations and most where you would question if that was the right decision. Namibia opened up a huge new world that I had never experienced before. From the tarmac roads to dusty gravel roads that disappeared into the horizon; the route down to Namib Naukluft National Park was just a taster of the most wonderful sights.
I arose early before dawn and with haste headed of into the park to ensure that I was there to experience the sunrise. The sun rose to as a bright electric orange orb cresting over the dunes. Their dark shadows cast across the floor of the park whilst ostrich stirred shaking the sand from their wings and heading off to find more shade. The tourist balloons were up and in the stillness you could hear their chatter and the whoosh as the hot air filled the balloon and took them higher.
I drove further on and left the car in the designated area to be transported by 4 wheeled vehicles deeper to the bigger dunes and Sossusvlei.
Climbing along the ridge to the summit I was surprised how quiet and how few tourists were here but in the distance you could see more arriving. The sun by 10:00 was already high and burning the sand beneath my feet. To the left the parched trees and bushes were shade for more ostrich. To the right was the dried out water source, crusty and dusty underfoot with just a few soft patches where the sun didn't quite reach.
When I look back at my trip to Namibia this sticks very clearly in my mind. This truely is one of the wonders of Africa

Marleen Horsten Visited: September 2011 Reviewed: Apr 26, 2012

The review below is the personal opinion of Marleen Horsten and not that of SafariBookings.
It's an unique landscape which you have to experience.
Overall rating
3/5

This part of Namibia is famous because of its beautiful scenery. Wildlife is not spectacular, but oryx, springbok and ostrich are frequently spotted, cheetah and caracal are less commun. But there is a lot to experience in the desert. A "gogga tour" in the Namib desert is beautiful and you'll be surprised to learn about the little 5 of the desert. (Tommy's tours and safaris, Swakopmund). Snakes, spiders, lizards, scorpions and chameleons, besides beautiful landscapes and unique desert vegetations. A scenic flight is wonderfull ( by plane from Swakop to Tsau //Khaeb and back)
Accommodations: From basic campsites to luxurious lodges are available in the enviroment. Generally the food in the lodges is good/very good, mostly buffet.

John Carthy   –  
United Kingdom UK
Visited: September 2007 Reviewed: Feb 1, 2012

Email John Carthy  |  20-35 years of age

Overall rating
4/5

Stunning park with great scenary and good wildlife (although not as good for wildlife as other Namibian parks). You would need to be mental to miss this place if you're going to Namibia.

bianca   –  
South Africa ZA
Visited: November 2011 Reviewed: Nov 22, 2011

Email bianca  |  35-50 years of age

Overall rating
5/5

Landscapes. The Namib Naukluft is all about landscapes. The colours of the sand dunes at sunrise, the rugged rock formations of the Kuiseb canyon and the ancient leaves of the Welwitchia plant all invite you to get out and explore this fascinating desert. My favourite place is Dead Vlei, where camelthorn trees that have been dead for 500 years stretch their black limbs towards an impossibly blue sky. The scene reminds me of a Dali painting and I am always double checking if their are any clocks draped over the tree branches.

Mindy McAdams   –  
United States US
Visited: July 2010 Reviewed: Aug 26, 2011

50-65 years of age

Overall rating
5/5

The way to see Sossusvlei (a stunning clay pan in the central Namib Desert) is to go in on foot with an experienced guide who will show you all the signs of life in the seemingly empty expanse of sand and cracked, rock-hard former waterholes. Lizards, birds, spiders, and even the occasional antelope family walk here too. The scenery in incredible, like nothing else on earth. Wear a wide-brimmed hat and take a BIG bottle of water.

Javier Jerez   –  
Spain ES
Visited: August 2023 Reviewed: Jan 7, 2024

Email Javier Jerez  |  20-35 years of age  |  Experience level: first safari

Overall rating
5/5

Awesome

Elena Zambrelli   –  
Italy IT
Visited: June 2023 Reviewed: Aug 1, 2023

Email Elena Zambrelli  |  35-50 years of age  |  Experience level: first safari

Overall rating
5/5

Big Dunes close to the sea. Seawildlife

Paula Moon   –  
South Africa ZA
Visited: March 2023 Reviewed: Apr 11, 2023

65+ years of age  |  Experience level: over 5 safaris

Overall rating
5/5

Again not many birds or animals but the dunes and the overall experience amazing

Average User Rating

  • 4.7/5
  • Wildlife
  • Scenery
  • Bush Vibe
  • Birding

Rating Breakdown

  • 5 star 51
  • 4 star 13
  • 3 star 4
  • 2 star 1
  • 1 star 0
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