Khaudum National Park - Day Tour
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The 3 842 square km park was only proclaimed in 1989, making it a relatively new park. The park is two hours drive away from Nhoma, just over the border in the Kavango region, bordering Botswana and the Nyae Nyae Conservancy.
The area used to be inhabited by Ju/'hoan Bushman or San groups, but they were relocated to the Nyae Nyae area when the park was proclaimed.
Except for the border with Botswana, the park is not fenced and game migrates freely into the neighbouring conservancies and into our area.
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The park was proclaimed to protect the woodland savannah biome of north eastern Namibia which is the habitat for the endangered roan antelope. They occur here at the edge of their natural distribution. Wild dogs are another endangered species that occur in the park, but they are usually only seen in September and October at waterholes before the rains start. Ground hornbills and several species of raptors are amongst the vulnerable bird life found in the park.
Game and bird viewing is only really good when the clay pans have dried up by the end of August. This is also the time of year when huge herds of elephants congregate at the waterholes, often keeping other game from drinking. The estimated number of elephants during October in the park is around 5000. Because of its inaccessibility, visitors to the park are few and animals are not accustomed to vehicles, causing them to flee.
Two fossil river beds traverse the park and are where most game is found. In between these omuramba, the roads are very sandy and crossings are recommended with minimum two cars.
Only four-wheel drive vehicles can negotiate the roads in the park and tourists should travel in groups of two vehicles - for their own security. The southern part of the park along the Nhoma omuramba is more accessible than the northern part where the tracks are very sandy. The unfenced camp in the north, Khaudum Camp, is wild and visitors should be self sufficient.
At Sikereti, the camp is renovated and suitable for camping as well as lodging. The nearest fuel stations are at Tsumkwe, Divundu, Rundu and Grootfontein. Bookings can me be made in advance (www.khaudum.com.na). Permits are issued and entrance fees are charged at the camp offices. Sikeretti is 57km north of Tsumkwe. Driving time to Sikeretti from Nhoma via Tsumkwe is two hours.
A shortcut from Sikeretti gate to Nhoma on a sandy track is existing, reducing the time to one and half hours and potential sightings of wildlife on the way. Be aware of wires from farms east of Khaudum. Elephants do not like fences.
Camping is only allowed on the campsite, but one may stay at the waterholes till sunset.
