Tsau ǁKhaeb Sperrgebiet National Park, Namibia

From giant rock arches, meteor craters, and fossil and archaeological sites to Africa’s most important shipwreck discovery and some of the most pristine and wild landscapes on the planet, the newly proclaimed Tsau ǁKhaeb  Sperrgebiet National Park (SNP) is a jewel in Namibia’s protected area network.

Closed to the public following the discovery of a diamond at Kolmanskop near Lüderitz by a railway worker – hence the name Sperrgebiet meaning ‘Prohibited Area’ in German – large parts of the area were left undisturbed for nearly a century. Although this was done to protect the mineral wealth of the area, it also contributed to safeguarding the Succulent Karoo ecosystem, which has the highest diversity of succulent flora worldwide.

Some 1,050 plant species are known to occur in the Tsau ǁKhaeb Sperrgebiet National Park, which contributes to nearly 25% of the entire flora of Namibia on less than three per cent of the land area of the country. This led to the listing of the Succulent Karoo as one of the world’s Top 34 Biodiversity Hotspots.

Measuring 10,000 square miles in area, it features sandy shores along the coast in the south as well as rocky headlands and inlets in the north. At least 17 islands occur off the coast adjoining the Tsau ǁKhaeb Sperrgebiet National Park. Sandy and gravel inland plains, sand dunes, mountain ranges and the Orange River valley can also be seen here.

The wildlife found here includes the brown hyena, gemsbok, springbok, South African fur seal, grey rhebok, Heaviside’s dolphin, and the southern right whale. Almost 60 wetland birds along the Orange River and 120 terrestrial bird species have been sighted, including the African Penguin, Cape Gannet, Bank Cormorant, Purple Heron, Lappet-faced Vulture, Karoo Korhaan, Ludwig’s Bustard, and Cape Francolin. There are almost 100 reptile species, 16 frog species and a great number of insects and other invertebrates. It is estimated that 90% or more of the invertebrates found in the Tsau ǁKhaeb Sperrgebiet National Park  have not been described by science.

If you would like more information about visiting the Tsau ǁKhaeb Sperrgebiet National Park, please call Visit Namibia at +264 61 290 6000 or email at info@visitnamibia.com.na