Wildlife Reserve & Sanctuary in Namibia
Red dunes and meerkats
The Namibian Kalahari is a landscape of red dunes, camel thorn trees and wide grass plains in the south-east of the country, near the town of Mariental. It is a semi-desert, home to gemsbok, springbok, meerkats and a rich birdlife, and the light at dawn and dusk is warm and golden.
The lodges here offer a quiet, relaxed stay. Guests go on nature drives and walks, learn from San guides about desert survival, ride across the dunes and watch the stars. It is an easy stopover on the way between Windhoek and Fish River Canyon or South Africa.
The red dunes are home to gemsbok, springbok, eland, ostrich, giraffe and meerkats. Black-maned lions and cheetah live in some private reserves, and small creatures include ground squirrels, geckos and tiny snakes.
Chance of seeing
Our estimate for a stay of two or three nights with a good guide. Wildlife is wild, so nothing is promised.
Parallel red dunes covered in golden grass, with camelthorn trees and wide, empty horizons.
Activities here
The Kalahari is hot in summer, with daytime temperatures of 33°C to 38°C, and mild in winter, with cold nights. Rain falls mostly between January and April.
| Month | Day °C | Night °C | Rain mm |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 35 | 20 | 60 |
| Feb | 34 | 20 | 70 |
| Mar | 32 | 18 | 80 |
| Apr | 29 | 14 | 40 |
| May | 26 | 9 | 10 |
| Jun | 22 | 5 | 2 |
| Jul | 22 | 4 | 0 |
| Aug | 25 | 7 | 0 |
| Sep | 29 | 12 | 2 |
| Oct | 32 | 16 | 10 |
| Nov | 34 | 18 | 20 |
| Dec | 35 | 19 | 30 |
Approximate long-term averages. Higher ground is cooler, and forests can rain in any month.
May to October is dry and clear, with cool days and cold nights. It is the most comfortable time to visit.
January to April brings storms and green grass, and the dunes are covered in flowers after good rain.
April to October is the best time to visit, with comfortable temperatures. The summer months are hot, but the landscape is green after the rains.
Best time to visit Apr to Oct
The Kalahari is about 260 kilometres south of Windhoek, a drive of three to four hours to Mariental, and about 400 kilometres from Fish River Canyon. It lies on the main road to South Africa.
Visitors from many countries, including the UK and US, need a Namibian visa, which can be applied for online or on arrival (about N$1,600 at the time of writing). Please check the rules for your passport.
The Kalahari is dry and hot in summer, so bring sun protection and plenty of water. The area is malaria-free.
Scenic AreaSossusvlei and the NamibThe world's tallest red dunes
National ParkEtosha National ParkWaterholes that draw everything in
RegionDamaralandDesert elephants and ancient rock art
National ParkSkeleton CoastFog, shipwrecks and roaring seal colonies
City & TownSwakopmundSeaside town between dunes and ocean
City & TownWindhoekNamibia's small, friendly capitalOur take
“Our take”
The Kalahari is a good first or last night, with a sunset dune walk and a long, dark sky.
Safaris from
US$3,666 per person
Plan your time in Kalahari
Every safari we run is private and built around you. Tell us your dates and what you hope to see, and we will shape the route, the lodges and the permits.
Made to measure
Tell us how you like to travel and we will build a private journey around it: the right lodges, the right pace and the permits already in hand.
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