Nhoma Safari Camp
P.O. Box 1899
Tsumeb, Namibia
Cell: 081-2734606

Web: www.tsumkwel.iway.na
e-mail: tsumkwel@iway.na

Khaudum National Park

The 3008 square kilometer park preserves the woodland savannah eco-system found in north eastern Namibia: trees that favour sandy soils, namely Wild Syringa, False Mopane, Zambesi Teak, Transvaal Teak and Purple Terminalia are characteristic of the area. This is the preferred habitat of the endangered roan antelope and is the main reason why this park was founded in 1989. This is also the only park in Namibia where wild dogs are found, but one should consider oneself very lucky to see them. Your best chances to see them are to be at waterholes between 7 and 9 in the morning during the dry season, when they need to drink water at the waterholes. This is also the time of year when huge herds of elephants congregate at the waterholes in the late afternoon, often keeping other game from drinking. The estimated number of elephants during October in the park is 3000, but the park is not fenced and the game migrate freely to adjoining areas.  The dry season lasts from June till sometime in October, but it is only by August when all the small pans in the omurambas have dried up, that game sightings become good. The Khaudum and Nhoma omurambas (fossil river beds) traverse the area. The park is 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.

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 two unfenced camps, Khaudum and Sikereti, are neglected: the facilities are not functional and visitors should be self sufficient, except for firewood, which is still supplied. Even water is not always available and the nearest fuel stations are at Divundu, Rundu and Grootfontein. No advanced bookings can be made for the camps and no camping fees are charged. Permits are issued and entrance fees are charged at the camp offices. Sikereti camp is 57km north of Tsumkwe. Driving time to Sikereti from Tsumkwe is one-and-a-half to two hours. A map of Khaudum National Park can be purchased from us.

	Bull elephants often approach tourists, pleading for water. They associate people with the starting of the engines that turn the pumps of the artificial waterholes. These engines have to be started manually every few days by park staff.  Often, there simply aren't diesel to operate the pumps and at some water holes the pumps have to be shared. The solar pumps often malfunction and can't keep up with demand in the dry season.
	Hyenas are often seen in Khaudum Omuramba. One may not camp outside the camps, but may stay at the waterholes after sunset. Sunset and early morning are the best times to see hyenas. Hyenas also frequent the camps after sunset. They are not dangerous unless you should sleep on the ground without a tent.
	Lion numbers are increasing. Keep a good lookout for tracks on the gravel roads. Tari Kora (a corruption of words that mean "no jackals" in Ju/'hoan) is the best place to see them. They also frequent Khaudum Camp.

Because of the many trees, the animals are not spotted in the bush in between the water holes. Hides have been built at these water holes where one can spend time waiting for game to come and drink. In the rainy season there is enough water in the bush so that animals don’t need to come to the water holes.

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