Khaudum National Park Sand Track — Sikereti to Khaudum Camp
Deep-sand Kalahari wilderness with elephants
Khaudum is the Namibian park for people who find Etosha too tidy. It sits in the far northeast against the Botswana border, a roadless block of Kalahari woodland laced with fossil river channels called omurambas. The only way through is a network of deep sand tracks. You enter at Sikereti, drop tire pressures, and settle into low range, grinding past waterholes like Khaudum Camp’s pumped pans. Elephant, roan, sable, and wild dog all live here, and the dense bush means you hear animals before you see them. The tracks are one-way sand ruts, sometimes thick enough to bury a stock vehicle to the diffs, and the occasional old river bed adds soft spots.
This is a difficult, remote drive and the park rules back that up: high-clearance 4×4 only, ideally two vehicles traveling together, and full self-sufficiency. Carry fuel for several hundred kilometers, recovery gear, a compressor, and more water than you think you need. There is no cell coverage. Camping is limited to the designated camps, where permits and fees apply and should be booked ahead through the park authorities. Go in the dry season, May to October, when the sand is firmest and animals gather at the waterholes. It’s a hard drive that rewards patience and a good tire gauge. Have a dirty day.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Difficult |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Backcountry |
| Surface | Sand |
| Features | Camping, Remote, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 45 mi / 72.4 km |
| Duration | 2-3 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 3600 ft |
| Best season | May-October |
| Minimum vehicle | High-clearance 4x4 with low range, recovery gear, and fuel for 400+ km |
| Nearest town | Tsumkwe, Namibia |
| Land manager | Namibia Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism |
| Permit required | Yes |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | No |
| Dispersed camping | No |
| Verified | |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
| Copy both for Google Maps directionsClick to copy the directions URL · or open it directly in a new tab | |
| Find on Google | Search on Google → |
Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock 4Runner or Hilux handle the Khaudum sand track?
Only with low range, decent all-terrain tires, and the ability to air down to around 1.0-1.5 bar. Ground clearance matters less than traction and cooling here, because deep Kalahari sand is hard on drivetrains and the park won't let you in without a proper high-clearance 4x4. Carry a recovery kit with a shovel, traction boards, a tire deflator and compressor, and a snatch strap, because nobody is coming to tow you.
Is Khaudum open year-round, and when is the best time to drive it?
The best window is May to October, when the sand is dry and the elephants gather at the waterholes. During the Nov-Apr rains, tracks can flood or turn to muck and some sections may be impassable or closed. Late dry season (Sept-Oct) is hot but gives the best game viewing.
Do I need a permit for Khaudum National Park, and where do I get it?
Yes. You need park entry and camping bookings through the Namibia Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism, and you should confirm everything before you go. Don't turn up at the gate hoping for a spot, since camping is limited to designated sites at Sikereti and Khaudum.
What's the hardest part of the Sikereti to Khaudum Camp track?
The deep, soft sand ruts. They're sustained, narrow, and lined with thick bush, so there's little room to pull off or turn around once you're committed. Expect a bogged vehicle if your tire pressure is too high, and expect to average a crawl, often under 20 km/h.
Can I get fuel, water, or help along the track, and how much should I carry?
No. There's no fuel, no shops, no cell service, and no one patrolling to pull you out. Sand burns fuel fast, so carry enough for 400+ km, plus extra water and food for the 2-3 days. Don't count on fuel at Tsumkwe, and travel with at least one other vehicle if you can, and give elephants plenty of room.
Trail track
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