Black-backed jackals, Canis mesomelas, were radio-collared and tracked at Cape Cross Seal Reserve on the Namib Desert coast, Namibia. Two methods of calculating home-range size were used giving mean areas of 24,9 sq km and 7,1 sq km. Jackal density around the seal colony was estimated at 22 jackals/km. Activity peaks were recorded at 09h00 and 18h00. Home-range size and overlap are discussed in terms of habitat structure, and prey abundance and distribution. Activity patterns are related to food availability and lack of harassment from man. Keywords: Canis mesomelas, Density, Desert, Home range, Movement.