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Home > Tourists

Tourists 

Namibia’s stunning wild places, wildlife and warm, welcoming people attract visitors from around the world.   Whether they come to experience the wonders of the oldest, dries desert on earth, the Namib, for the chance to see vast herds of antelope or rare and endangered species, or to learn more about Namibia’s indigenous cultures and people, the Ministry of Environment and Tourism is proud of our part in making their experience possible. 

The Ministry of Environment and Tourism (MET) is the custodian of the largest protected areas network in Africa, covering an area of 135 906.29 km² and including such iconic tourism destinations as the Etosha National Park and the Namib-Naukluft Park. Permits to enter these and other protected areas can be obtained at the respective park gates or at MET offices in Namibia.

The MET’s website offers detailed information on the all our national parks and recreation areas.  Brochures and fact sheets can be downloaded from the Home Page and the Directorate of Parks and Wildlife Management’s pages, there are park profiles with additional information.

Below is a brief summary of Namibia’s Protected Areas:

Name GazettedSize (km2) Biome/ vegetation type Important features
1. /Ai-/Ais Hot Springs / Huns Mountains 4 611 Succulent Karoo and Nama Karoo biomes

Desert/ dwarf Shrub Transition, Succulent Steppe, Dwarf Shrub Savannah, Karas Dwarf Shrubland, Riverine Woodland

 Includes the Fish River Canyon and the Huns Mountains where a number of endemic succulent plants are found. Apollo 11 rock paintings, among the oldest in the world.
2. Bwabwata National Park 6 274 Tree and shrub Savanna Biome

Caprivi Mopane Woodland,

Riverine Woodlands and Islands, Okavango Valley, Caprivi Floodplains

Bounded by Okavango River to the west and the Kwando River to the east. Important migration route from Botswana to Angola for elephant and some other species. About 5 500 people live in the park. 420 bird species in Mahango core area.
3. Cape Cross Seal Reserve 60 Namib Desert Biome

Central Desert

 World’s Cape fur seal colony. Two replicas of Diogo Cão’s Cross (Heritage Site). Remnants of Namibia’s first railway.
4. Daan Viljoen Game Park 40 Tree and shrub Savanna Biome

Highland Shrubland

 Hiking trails and overnight trail. 250 bird species.
5. Etosha National Park 22 270

(22 935 including Kaross and Koabendes)

 Lakes and salt pans, Nama Karoo and Tree and shrub savanna biomes

Karstveld, Pans, Western Kalahari, Mopane Shrubland, Etosha Grass and Dwarf Shrubland, North-eastern Kalahari Woodlands, Western Highlands, Cuvelai Drainage

 Includes the 4 590 km² Etosha Pan. World famous park important for the conservation of black rhino, elephant, leopard, cheetah, black faced impala, and Blue Crane.

Namutoni fort (National Monument). Celebrated centenary in 2007.

6. Gross Barmen Hot Springs 1 Tree and shrub Savanna Biome

Highland Shrubland

 Mainly a tourist resort known for its thermal baths. Ruins of Rhenish mission station.
7. Hardap Recreation Resort 252 Nama Karoo Biome

Dwarf Shrub Savanna

 Hardap Dam is a main feature which provides habitat for a variety of water birds. Is one of only two breeding sites in Namibia for White Pelicans. 300 bird species. Small game reserve with black rhino. Water sports, shore and boat angling.
8. Khaudum National Park 3 840 Tree and shrub Savanna Biome

Eastern Drainage

 A wilderness park that is only accessible by 4x4. Tall broad leafed woodlands with fossil drainage lines (omurambas). Elephant, lion, leopard, cheetah, roan. African wild dog often move through the park. Tourism concession shared by two conservancies and traditional authority.
9. Mamili National Park 320 Tree and shrub Savanna Biome

Caprivi Floodplain

 Extensive wetland park covering part of the floodplain of the Kwando/Linyanti river. Habitat for red lechwe. Large buffalo population. 430 bird species.
10. Mangetti National Park 420 Tree and shrub Savanna Biome

North-eastern Kalahari Woodlands

 Former game camp allocated for conservation by the Ukwangali Traditional Authority. Large eland population, sable, roan.
11. Mudumu National Park 1 010

(737 cutline)

 Tree and shrub Savanna Biome

North-eastern Kalahari woodlands

Riverine Woodlands and Islands

Caprivi Mopane Woodland and Caprivi Floodplains

 Conserves part of the Kwando River floodplain and adjoining mopane woodland. Migration route for elephant and buffalo from Botswana.
12. Namib-Naukluft Park 49 768 Namib Desert, Succulent Karoo and Nama Karoo biomes

Southern Desert, Central Desert, Desert/dwarf Shrub Transition, Central-western Escarpment and Inselbergs, Succulent Steppe, Dwarf Shrub Savanna

 Conserves spectacular desert landscapes, desert-dwelling species such as oryx, mountain zebra, springbok, ostrich, brown hyena, the endemic Dune Lark and breeding sites for Lappet faced Vultures. Highest dunes in the world at Sossusvlei. Topnaar people live along the lower Kuiseb River. Gobabeb Research & Training Centre.

Naukluft hiking trail and 4x4 route.

13. National West Coast Recreational Area (National Park) 7 800 Namib Desert Biome

Central Desert

 Conserves important lichen fields and Damara Tern breeding sites along the Namib Coast. Angling and camping sites.
14. Naute Recreation Resort 225 Nama Karoo Biome

Dwarf Shrub Savannah, Karas Dwarf Shrubland

 Includes the Naute Dam which provides habitat for water birds. Mainly a tourist resort for angling and water sports.
15. Popa Game Park 0.25 Tree and shrub Savanna Biome

Okavango Valley

 Mainly a tourist resort but conserves a small area of riverine vegetation on the Okavango River and includes part of the rapids known as Popa Falls. Excellent bird watching. Two rare fish – Broadhead Catfish & Oscillated Spiny Eel.
16. Skeleton Coast Park 16 390 Namib Desert Biome

Northern Desert,

Central Desert,

North-western Escarpment and

Inselbergs

 Conserves gravel plains and dune areas of the Namib coast and protects the Kunene River Mouth. Famous for the “coastal” lions which sometimes visit the beach to scavenge for food. Shipwrecks including the Dunedin Star.
17. South West Nature Park 0.04 Tree and shrub Savanna Biome

Highland Shrubland

 Managed by the National Botanical Research Institute as part of the National Botanical Gardens.
18. Sperrgebiet

National Park

22 000 Succulent Karoo, Namib Desert and Savanna biomes

Succulent Steppe, Southern Desert,

Riverine Woodland

 Conserves spectacular desert landscapes, endemic succulent plants, and the near endemic Barlow’s Lark. Famous as a “forbidden area” because of the diamond workings along the coast, but guided tourism into the park is now possible. Bogenfels rock arch, Kolmanskop & other “ghost” towns. First Marine PA in Namibia.
19. Von Bach 20. Recreation Resort 43 Tree and shrub Savanna Biome

Thornbush Shrubland,

Highland Shrubland

 Includes the Von Bach Dam, an important water supply for Windhoek, and habitat for water birds. Mainly a tourist resort for water sports & angling.
20. Waterberg Plateau Park 405 Tree and shrub Savanna Biome

Northern Kalahari

Thornbush Shrubland

 50 km-long porous sandstone mountain massif with guided and unguided hiking trails. Breeding area for species such as black rhino, roan and sable, surplus numbers of which are translocated elsewhere. Last known breeding colony of Cape Vultures in Namibia. Historic site of fighting between German colonial troops and Herero.

Accommodation and travel information

Within the MET, the Directorate of Tourism works closely with the tourism industry to formulate policy for the benefit of the industry and the country as a whole.  However, the MET is not in the business of tourism.  This is the reserve of the private sector and our two parastatals partners, the Namibian Tourist Board (NTB) and Namibia Wildlife Resorts (NWR). 

For more information on tourism, including accommodation and travel options in Namibia, please visit the following websites: 

Visitor Information

Area:  824, 268 square kilometers – four times the size of Great Britain and about the same size as France and Germany combined or 4 times the size of Great Britain 

Capital City:  Windhoek

Official Language:  English

Other languages: 16 languages and dialects, including Afrikaans, German and indigenous languages include Oshivambo, Herero and Nama.

Population:  2.1 million, with a density of 2.2 per square kilometer, Namibia is the second most sparsely populated country in the world.

Rainfall:  Average rainfall varies from 10mm along the coast to 700mm in the northeast.

Climate: Namibia has a desert climate, generally hot and dry.   The coolest temperatures are found along the coast. The hottest months are December to March.

Currency: Namibian Dollar. The South African Rand is also legal tender

Namibia's International Airport: Hosea Kutako International Airport lies 28 miles (45 km) east of Namibia's capital, Windhoek (airport code: WDH).

Namibia's Embassies/Visas: Most tourists do not need to get a visa to visit Namibia as long as they don’t stay longer than 90 days. For more information contact the Ministry of Home Affairs or a Namibian Embassy close to you. 

Last Modified: 9/18/2010 17:29
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