Go beyond the common safari experiences in Southern Africa and embrace the rugged landscapes of Namibia with these exceptional national parks.
A herd of grey and black elephants in Etosha National Park, Namibia, Africa
By Robynne Trueman
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Get off the beaten path in Southern Africa by embarking on a safari adventure, unlike those commonly experienced by tourists. While many people travel to Tanzania for game drives and safaris in Serengeti National Park or to Kenya to see the Great Migration (which can be done on a budget) in the Maasai Mara, much of Namibia’s national parks remain undiscovered by tourists. Yet, Namibia is a destination well worth visiting.
Namibia is home to 20 state-run protected areas, which cover around 17% of the nation’s land surface. Of these 20 state-run protected areas, these are 10 of the best national parks in Namibia for experiencing unique safaris that provide opportunities to see some of the Big Five and other interesting creatures.
10. Mudumu National Park
Mudumu National Park is located in Northeastern Namibia and spans 737 square kilometers. Within the park, the Kwando River runs along the border with neighboring Botswana.
The park is full of wildlife, acting as protection for the migratory corridor between Namibia, Botswana, Zambia, and Angola.
Address: WG3G+C39, Muneambuanas, Namibia
Best For Viewing: African Elephants and buffalo
Year The Park Was Established: 1990
9. Khaudum National Park
Giraffes in Namibia. Photo by Joachim Riegel on Unsplash
Khaudum National Park is among the best national parks in Namibia for safaris and is a vast game reserve in Northeastern Namibia. The large national park spans 3,842 square kilometers and is home to an abundance of wildlife.
The wildlife in the park is seasonal, with the best chance of seeing animals during the rainy season. The park sits near the border with Botswana and Angola.
Address: Namibia
Best For Viewing: Roan Antelope and African Wild Dog
Year The Park Was Established: 1989
8. Chobe National Park
Clouds just before sunset, Botswana. Photo by Hans-Jurgen Mager on Unsplash
Chobe National Park isn’t located in Namibia but in neighboring Botswana.
However, travelers who visit Namibia in the hopes of spotting wildlife on safari might find it worthwhile to cross the border into Botswana for a few days to explore the nation’s highest concentration of wildlife inside Chobe National Park.
Address: Botswana
Best For Viewing: African Elephant
Year The Park Was Established: 1967-1968
7. Nkasa Rupara National Park
Hippos in the Okavango Delta in Botswana. Photo by Colin Watts on Unsplash
Nkasa Rupara National Park is the largest wetland conservation area in Namibia. This makes it the perfect place for nature lovers and wildlife photographers to look for wetland species.
The Kwando River runs through the park, and when the river floods, the land becomes nearly as rich in wildlife as Botswana’s Okavango Delta.
Address: 1200 km from Windhoek in the Zambezi Region
Best For Viewing: Hyenas, buffalo, antelopes
Year The Park Was Established: 1990
6. Parque Nacional De Bwabwata
Cape Buffalo in Mahango, Namibia. Photo by Chris Stenger on Unsplash
The Bwabwata National Park is one of the best safari spots in Namibia and spans a whopping 6,274 square kilometers. It is located in the northeastern part of the country and was formed by combining two existing game reserves: the Caprivi Game Park and the Mahango Game Park.
Today, the Mahango Game Park exists within Bwabata National Park.
Address: WH2J+CGM, DIvundu, Namibia
Best For Viewing: Red Lechwe, Roan Antelope, Sitatunga
Year The Park Was Established: 2007
5. Waterberg Plateau National Park
Animals in Sossusvlei, Namibia. Photo by Ryan Cheng on Unsplash
Waterberg Plateau National Park is known as one of the best places in Namibia for hiking. Outdoor enthusiasts who want to experience a unique safari and embrace Africa’s rugged landscapes will appreciate this national park.
The name of the park comes from a table-like mountain rising from a plateau in the park. It’s located in Central Namibia, approximately 70 kilometers southeast of Otjiwarongo.
Address: Central Namibia
Best For Viewing: Cape Buffalo and black and southern white rhinos
Year The Park Was Established: 1972
4. Dorob National Park
Dunes at Sandwich Harbour, Namibia. Photo by Sergi Ferrete on Unsplash
Dorob National Park is a fairly new addition to Nambia’s national parks. The desert park is in Erongo on the central Namibian coast. Dorob National Park spans 7800 square kilometers.
While tourists can visit, the focus of this national park isn’t to attract travelers but rather to protect the wildlife and ecosystems in the region.
Address: Central Namibia
Best For Viewing: Springbok, oryx, and zebras
Year The Park Was Established: 2010
3. Skeleton Coast National Park
Skeleton Coast, Namibia. Photo by Joshua Kettle on Unsplash
Skeleton Coast National Park is located on the northwest coast of Namibia. This remote park has otherworldly beaches that are covered with whale skeletons (hence the name) and shipwrecks.
Many people choose to take a helicopter flight over the park in order to appreciate the view of it from a distance.
Address: Northwest Namibia
Best For Viewing: Desert-adapted elephants, rhinos, brown hyenas, jackals, and seals
Year The Park Was Established: 1971 (official in 1973)
2. Namib-Naukluft National Park
Namib-Naukluft National Park, Namibia. Photo by Joe McDaniel on Unsplash
Namib-Naukluft National Park is located in western Namibia between the Atlantic Ocean and the Great Escarpment. The park’s area is massive, covering 49,768 square kilometers, making it the largest national park in Africa.
The park is named for the areas it encompasses, which include the Namib Desert (Africa's wildest wilderness) and the Naukluft Mountain Range.
Address: Western Namibia
Best For Viewing: Gemsbok, zebra, springbok, and ostrich
Year The Park Was Established: 1907
1. Etosha National Park
Wild animals in Etosha National Park, northern Namibia. Shutterstock
Etosha National Park is a beautiful and unique nature area to visit in Namibia. This is one of the largest national parks in Africa and is easily the most popular place for travelers to go on safari while in Namibia.
Another perk is that Etosha National Park happens to be one of the most affordable safari spots in Africa (but it doesn't compromise on beauty or experiences despite this).
An interesting feature of the park is a salt pan that is so big it’s visible from space. It’s an accessible park that is easy to navigate for game drives and offers plenty of accommodation options. It is home to four out of five of the Big Five that travelers seek to spot in Africa – it’s just missing the Cape Buffalo.
Address: Northwestern Namibia
Best For Viewing: Ostrich, lion, leopard, elephant, rhino, giraffe, wildebeest, cheetah, and hyena
Year The Park Was Established: 1907
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