Tsau //Khaeb (Sperrgebiet) National Park
Overview
Namibia Parks
Anthony is a renowned Africa expert and author of many Lonely Planet guidebooks, including the 'Botswana & Namibia' guide.
Tsau //Khaeb National Park (formerly Sperrgebiet National Park) is a former diamond mining site where the spectacular sand-dune landscape of the Namib Desert now takes center stage. It is the most biodiverse region in Namibia with a remarkable wealth of flora, especially succulents. Most of the park can only be visited with certain tour operators and special permits are required. Exceptions include Kolmanskop (a haunting ghost town and relic of the diamond era) and Agate Beach.
Pros & Cons
Wildlife
Tsau //Khaeb isn’t really a wildlife destination, but some desert-adapted animals are present. You might be lucky to see a black-backed jackal trotting along, or a brown hyena skulking around at dawn or dusk. Gemsbok and springbok are the most common antelope. Marine wildlife includes Heaviside’s dolphin and southern right whale.
Scenery
Tsau //Khaeb consists of desert sand dunes, grasslands and granite mountains with rocky outcrops. The park’s arid regions are very stark and some parts resemble a lunar landscape. The pristine Succulent Karoo ecosystem has the highest diversity of succulent flora in the world. Despite being part of a desert, it is listed as one of the world’s top 36 biodiversity hot spots.
Activities
Most travelers visit Tsau //Khaeb to go birding or to explore the evocative, abandoned mining town of Kolmanskop. The park is also popular with 4WD enthusiasts. Self-drive options are limited, but possible 4WD tours include a weeklong traverse from Lüderitz to Walvis Bay, which is only for those with considerable off-road experience.
Weather & Climate
The weather of Tsau //Khaeb is governed by two seasons: winter, which marks the Dry season (May to October), and summer, which corresponds with the Wet season (November to April). There is not much rain, but a little can fall at any time.
Best Time To Visit
The cooler winter months (May to October) are the best time to visit Tsau //Khaeb. It tends to be very hot in the summer months (November to April), but bird watching is spectacular at that time.
