Wildlife was abundant, the waterholes beautifully maintained and alive with activity, and the overall feeling unmistakably wild. This is a game-drive safari experience that feels genuinely exclusive, not by design, but because so few travellers ever make it here.
Khaudum is not a park you rush through – or stumble into by chance. Remote, sandy and deeply untamed, it sits on the edge of the Kalahari Basin in north-eastern Namibia, in an area we often refer to as Bushmanland, where travel is slow, encounters are earned and the wilderness still sets the pace.
This is a place of space and silence. Of long drives through sandveld and woodlands. Of waterholes where elephants gather and hours pass unnoticed. If you’re looking for fences, facilities and frequent sightings, look elsewhere. If you’re after raw wilderness – Khaudum delivers.
Khaudum’s story begins millions of years ago, when the breakup of Gondwana created the Kalahari Basin and filled it with sand. Today, those ancient sands still ripple across the park, absorbing surface water and shaping everything that lives here.
The north feels lush and surprisingly forested, with tall burkea trees and dense woodland. The south opens into grasslands and silver-leaf shrub, cut through by omiramba – shallow, seasonal riverbeds that briefly hold water after rain and quietly guide wildlife across the park.
Khaudum lies at the meeting point of arid and moist savanna, and its wildlife reflects this balance. Gemsbok thrive alongside species that favour greener habitat, including the elusive roan antelope – one of the park’s most prized sightings.
Elephants dominate the landscape. Around 3,000 live here more or less permanently, shaping vegetation around waterholes and moving seasonally into neighbouring conservancies. Predators are present but wary, and sightings are never guaranteed – which is exactly what makes them so rewarding.
Birdlife is exceptional, particularly hornbills. From the massive southern ground hornbill to the small red-billed hornbill, their calls echo through the stillness, often being the only sound for kilometres.
Game driving is the only activity in Khaudum – and it’s slow, sandy and absorbing. The park is vast, tracks are deep, and progress is unhurried. Some days you may not see another vehicle at all.
Waterholes are the focal point, especially in the dry season, while early mornings and late afternoons along the omiramba can be quietly productive. Birding in the woodlands is excellent, particularly when you give yourself time to stop and listen.
The wildlife here is still very much wild – unhabituated to vehicles and behaving entirely on its own terms.
Accommodation is simple and in keeping with the park’s character.
Outside the park, accommodation is available at Tsumkwe, Nhoma and along the Okavango River.
Khaudum rewards careful planning. While the southern section around Sikereti is more open and manageable for confident self-drivers, the northern section is significantly sandier, more technical and slower-going. When entering from the Rundu side, we strongly recommend travelling with an experienced guide and, ideally, with two vehicles.
For self-drivers, a very workable option is to stay at Sikereti and explore the southern section on day drives. This pairs naturally with Tsumkwe, where travellers can visit a Bushman community – conveniently located roughly halfway between Tsumkwe and Sikereti.
The landscapes differ noticeably across the park: the north is lush and wooded with large trees, while the south opens into grasslands and wide plains. Throughout, beautifully maintained waterholes with neat viewing hides offer excellent, respectful game viewing, particularly during the dry season.
Wildlife remains abundant and largely unhabituated to vehicles. Elephants are especially prevalent, and sightings feel raw and unscripted. There is no mobile reception and no fuel available inside the park – part of what keeps Khaudum feeling so untouched.
This is a destination where good planning makes all the difference. Get in touch with our team to discuss whether Khaudum is right for your trip, and how best to experience it.
"A dream come true"
We had the most amazing family holiday, everything worked so perfectly, the arrangements and accommodation was spectacular!
"Unforgettable trip to Namibia – Thank you Namibia Tours & Safaris!"
We are a group of four from Romania and spent 3 unforgettable weeks in Namibia. We can't recommend them enough, and for any future travels in Namibia or other parts of Africa, we will definitely use their services again.
"We had a great experience"
From the time we put the key in the ignition till we boarded the plane in Windhoek nothing went wrong.
"Unforgettable bird photography trip in Namibia"
It was a fantastic experience, everything was very well organised, went smooth and according to expectations. It was our first self drive in Africa and it was a great, unforgettable time.
