NamibRand Nature Reserve

Pros & Cons

• Beautiful desert scenery
• Exclusive accommodation choices
• Desert wildlife
• Never crowded
• Incredible night skies
• No budget accommodations
• Low wildlife densities

Wildlife

The wildlife is not the main reason to visit NamibRand, but there’s still plenty to see. Most commonly sighted is springbok, gemsbok, Burchell’s zebra, black-backed jackal, Cape fox and ostrich. In the small acacia woodland in the northeast, look for giraffe and greater kudu, while rocky areas shelter leopard, mountain zebra, klipspringer and rock hyrax. Three of the four hyena species (Spotted hyena, brown hyena and aardwolf) sometimes pass through. Look for red hartebeest in the south.

Scenery

NamibRand’s scenery is some of the most beautiful in the Namib Desert. It is glorious at sunrise and sunset. Within the reserve’s boundaries, which it shares for 100km/62mi with the Namib-Naukluft National Park, are diverse landscapes. This includes the rugged Nubib Mountains, as well as chains of red sand dunes, gravel plains, stands of acacia, desert grasslands and savannah, and freestanding rocky monoliths known as inselbergs.

Activities

All activities in the reserve take place through your accommodations. No self-drive activities are allowed. Activities can include quad biking, horseback riding, hot-air balloon safaris, nature walks and guided game drives. You’ll likely pay extra for hot-air balloon safaris, even on all-inclusive safari packages. As NamibRand is considered a Dark Sky Reserve where light pollution is minimized, night drives are not permitted.

Weather & Climate

The weather and climate of NamibRand is similar to that of Namib-Naukluft National Park. More info:

• Weather & Climate – Namib-Naukluft NP

Best Time To Visit

The best time to be in NamibRand is from May to September, which falls during the Dry season (May to October). Throughout these months, the nights can be very cold, but daytime temperatures are also milder, which makes conditions more pleasant. May and June, in particular, promise decent weather and lower visitor numbers. From October to April, it can be very hot.

Getting There

Access to NamibRand Nature Reserve is restricted and private vehicles are allowed only on lodge access roads or to designated pickup points. Only 4WD vehicles from NamibRand and its accommodations are allowed to drive within the reserve. You can also fly into one of the reserve’s airstrips on a charter flight from the capital, Windhoek, or elsewhere.

Health & Safety

Please read our malaria and vaccinations page for Namibia, and our general ‘Wildlife Viewing Safety Precautions’ below for more info:

• Malaria & Vaccinations – Namibia
• Wildlife Viewing Safety Precautions

Want To Visit NamibRand NR?

NamibRand Safaris

• NamibRand Safaris & Tours
• Tour Operators for NamibRand