Hoanib River Valley
Hoanib
A seasonal river valley in the desert, the best place to see desert elephants, desert lions and giraffes, and home to fly-in camps.
The Hoanib River is a seasonal river that flows only briefly in the rainy season. Acacia and mesquite woodland along its banks forms a green corridor through the desert, supporting dozens of desert-adapted elephants, as well as desert lions, giraffes, greater kudu and zebras. The middle section of the valley has high-end fly-in camps, where guides drive out to track the animals. Visitors can also head to the flood plains at the river mouth to see the coast. Self-drive visitors need a four-wheel-drive vehicle and should travel in convoys of at least two cars. The riverbed sand is deep, so keep a safe distance from the elephants.
Opening hours
Daytime (camp activities or 4WD self-drive)
Nearby sights
- Möwe Bay
- Skeleton Coast
- Fort Sesfontein
- Terrace Bay
- Purros
- Hoarusib River Valley
- Ongongo Waterfall
- Khowarib Gorge