Khaudum National Park

Khaudum National Park is a 3,842-square-kilometer nature reserve situated in northeastern Namibia along the border with Botswana, just west of the Zambezi region. Initially established as a game reserve in 1989 and proclaimed a national park in 2007, the park lies within the Kalahari Sandveld biome. Its terrain is characterized by deep Kalahari sand dunes, broadleaved tree and shrub savannas, and omurambas—fossilized dry riverbeds that temporarily collect surface water during the rainy season and serve as natural migration channels for wildlife.The park is a critical sanctuary for biodiversity, hosting rare and endangered species such as the African wild dog and roan antelope. Massive elephant herds roam freely across the park's unfenced northern and southern boundaries into surrounding community conservancies, alongside large populations of giraffes, elands, gemsboks, kudus, and tsessebes. Predators inhabiting the reserve include lions, leopards, cheetahs, spotted hyenas, and black-backed jackals. Additionally, over 320 bird species have been recorded, including all six Namibian hornbill species, ground hornbills, and numerous raptors.Khaudum is managed by Namibia's Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism in cooperation with local conservancies as part of the Kavango Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area (KAZA TFCA). The park is famous for its remote wilderness atmosphere and challenging terrain, accessible exclusively via four-wheel-drive vehicles due to deep sand tracks. Visitor infrastructure remains minimal to preserve its wild character, featuring artificial waterholes with viewing hides and limited accommodation options including campsites at Sikereti and Khaudum Camp as well as Xaudum Lodge.