Discover Kaokoland Namibia 12 Days (All rates are listed in USD.)

Departure from Swakopmund along the Atlantic Coast towards the North. Visit the lichen fields near Wlotzka’s Baken & inspect a shipwreck before continuing to Henties Bay, a small holiday resort. Onward you travel to the seal colony at Cape Cross. After visiting the seals, the journey continues via Ugabmund to the southern Skeleton Coast Park. We leave the Skeleton Coast Park in the early afternoon via Springbok Water, and you can experience the harsh transition from the Namib Desert to the Damaraland highlands with its impressive landscape and ragged valleys.

• Palmwag
  Palmwag is a nature reserve idyllically located along a palm-lined tributary of the Uniab River, halfway between Swakopmund and Etosha, providing an ideal base from which to see the sights of the Kunene region or embark on one of the many local hiking trails. Water is scarce in this area, so the river’s presence often lures elephants closer to the camps. The reserve is notable for its unusual species of palm tree, the hyphaene petersiana, and for being home to the largest population of southwestern black rhinos in Africa. Animal lovers can also get a peek at leopard, lion, cheetah, mountain zebra, Angolan giraffe, springbok, kudu, and African bush elephant.

• Palmwag Lodge Gondwana Collection Namibia
  A call from the far western wilderness beckons you to the home of the desert adapt world. With the largest predator population outside of Etosha National Park, this destination will not disappoint. With rooms and safari tents on offer, your stay will be most memorable.

Meals Included: Breakfast and Dinner
Activities Included: None
Accommodation: Palmwag Lodge Gondwana Collection Namibia (or similar)
Special Interests: Adventure, Birding, Flora, Hiking, History & Culture, Leisure, Nature, Relaxation, Star Gazing, Wildlife

This safari leads into the 5500 square kilometre private Concession Area of Palmwag Lodge. Breathtaking landscapes in mountainous area teeming with game welcome the guest – the famous desert elephant, zebras, springbok, oryx, giraffe, ostrich, jackal, hyena and occasionally the endangered black rhino and famous desert lion, provide excellent photographic opportunity for wildlife photography in this vast open wilderness area. Tonight’s camp will be erected in the wild. Enjoy a refreshing drink while the guide prepares dinner on an open fire and absorb the day’s experiences.

• Damaraland
  This vast desert landscape is known as one of the most beautiful regions in Namibia. Huge, untamed and ruggedly beautiful, Damaraland is an exceptionally scenic landscape featuring open plains, ancient valleys and spectacular rock formations. The major attractions are the sacred Spitzkoppe, the Brandberg, Twyfelfontein, Vingerklip and the otherworldly Petrified Forest. Visitors can take in the dramatic vistas, catch a glimpse of the rare desert-adapted elephant, and enjoy spectacular stargazing in crystal-clear night skies from one of the many safari camps dotting Damaraland. Other popular activities include: guided drives, nature walks and visiting the local communities. Don’t miss the opportunity to view Damaraland’s world-famous ancient rock art.

• Namibia Tracks & Trails Mobile Safari
  Namibia’s spectacular scenic beauty and diverse flora and fauna can only be truly appreciated on an adventurous camping safari into the remote and isolated regions far off the normal tourist route. Daylight hours are filled with exploring the surrounds and the nights are spent under a blanket of stars with the unique sound of the African bush for company.

Meals Included: Full Board
Activities Included: None
Accommodation: Namibia Tracks & Trails Mobile Safari (or similar)
Special Interests: None

After breakfast enjoy a short hike for a brief inspection of the night’s game activities around camp. The journey continues into the upper Mudorib River with a good chance of encountering black rhino or desert elephant in this dry and harsh desert environment. Arrive in the Hoanib River, a dry riverbed densely overgrown with nutritious acacia trees providing the necessary fodder for the desert adapted elephant. Camp will be set up in one of the side tributaries of the Hoanib River.

• Damaraland
  This vast desert landscape is known as one of the most beautiful regions in Namibia. Huge, untamed and ruggedly beautiful, Damaraland is an exceptionally scenic landscape featuring open plains, ancient valleys and spectacular rock formations. The major attractions are the sacred Spitzkoppe, the Brandberg, Twyfelfontein, Vingerklip and the otherworldly Petrified Forest. Visitors can take in the dramatic vistas, catch a glimpse of the rare desert-adapted elephant, and enjoy spectacular stargazing in crystal-clear night skies from one of the many safari camps dotting Damaraland. Other popular activities include: guided drives, nature walks and visiting the local communities. Don’t miss the opportunity to view Damaraland’s world-famous ancient rock art.

• Namibia Tracks & Trails Mobile Safari
  All our safaris are offered on a non-participating basis with the entire camping equipment supplied by us. Standard equipment includes: comfortable dome tents, sleeping rolls with comfortable mattress, proper duvets, cushion, towels and linen, camping fold up beds, electric tent lantern and bedside table, solar bucket showers (1x for every 4 guests) as well as long-drop bush toilets (1x for every 4 guests).

Meals Included: Full Board
Activities Included: None
Accommodation: Namibia Tracks & Trails Mobile Safari (or similar)
Special Interests: None

Today we will enjoy a full day game drive on the lookout for more animals that made this part of the world their home. We overnight in the same camp as we did the previous night.

• Damaraland
  This vast desert landscape is known as one of the most beautiful regions in Namibia. Huge, untamed and ruggedly beautiful, Damaraland is an exceptionally scenic landscape featuring open plains, ancient valleys and spectacular rock formations. The major attractions are the sacred Spitzkoppe, the Brandberg, Twyfelfontein, Vingerklip and the otherworldly Petrified Forest. Visitors can take in the dramatic vistas, catch a glimpse of the rare desert-adapted elephant, and enjoy spectacular stargazing in crystal-clear night skies from one of the many safari camps dotting Damaraland. Other popular activities include: guided drives, nature walks and visiting the local communities. Don’t miss the opportunity to view Damaraland’s world-famous ancient rock art.

• Namibia Tracks & Trails Mobile Safari
  Three wholesome meals are served daily at table. Breakfast is “full English” style. Lunch consists of cold meats, cheese, salads, pickles, fresh vegetables and fruit. Dinner is a tasty warm meal cooked on open fire. At dinner, wine and beer are included.

Meals Included: Full Board
Activities Included: None
Accommodation: Namibia Tracks & Trails Mobile Safari (or similar)
Special Interests: None

In the early morning we continue our journey to the western part of Kaokoland. You will experience the primitive but interesting lifestyle and tradition while visiting the traditional villages en route. The usual reception from the Ovahimba is friendly and most of them are willing to engage in conversation. Today’s routing will lead the group via Purros to the Khumib valley. We will camp here tonight and conclude this day with a sundowner while enjoying the last rays of sun around the fire pit.

• Purros
  Situated in the wild north western Kunene region in Namibia, the Purros area, also known as ‘Puros’, features arid semi-desert terrain characterised by a blend of undulating hills, wooded river valleys and vast plains covered in sparse savannah, dotted with acacia and tamarisk trees. This remote area is a 4X4 enthusiast’s dream, lying deep in the heart of the Kaokoland wilderness. It is home to an array of unique desert adapted wildlife such as elephant, lion, black rhino and giraffe. Visitors can stay overnight at several lodges and camps and enjoy numerous activities including: game drives, Himba cultural tours or guided tours of a local village.

• Puros Bush Lodge and Camp
  ​Puros Bush Lodge and Camp is situated on the banks of the Hoarusib River within the Puros Conservancy, Namibia. Accommodation options consist of perfectly appointed self-catering chalets with en-suite bathrooms and comfortable beds. Additional accommodation includes five private campsites under the shade of Camel Thorn trees with water points and barbecue facilities. The lodge offers private or communal barbecue areas, a lapa, a dining area, and a bar.

Meals Included: Full Board
Activities Included: None
Accommodation: Puros Bush Lodge and Camp (or similar)
Special Interests: None

Heading east towards Opuwo, enjoy the breathtaking surrounds of Sanitatas and the Tonnesen Mountains with yet more opportunity to encounter plains game en-route. Hopefully you get to meet Ovahimba herdsmen moving their cattle in search of better grazing areas. We reach the Ovivero dam, a small depression that contains water, used by man and animals alike. We put up our overnight camp here.

• Opuwo
  Opuwo, meaning ‘the end’ in Herero, lies in the north western Kunene region of Namibia. It serves as the capital of the region and is known as the gateway to the magnificent Epupa Falls. The surrounding landscape is characterised by low-lying hills, and vast dry desert plains inhabited by a wealth of desert-adapted wildlife. It serves as the central hub for the Himba culture. The town provides a perfect base for visitors wishing to explore the Kaokoland area and visit the local villages of the itinerant Himba people. The town and the Opuwo surrounding area is known as one of the cultural highlights of a trip to Namibia as it features an incredibly rich cultural heritage. Don’t miss an opportunity to learn about the fascinating Himba community within this starkly beautiful landscape.

• Namibia Tracks & Trails Mobile Safari
  Namibia’s spectacular scenic beauty and diverse flora and fauna can only be truly appreciated on an adventurous camping safari into the remote and isolated regions far off the normal tourist route. Daylight hours are filled with exploring the surrounds and the nights are spent under a blanket of stars with the unique sound of the African bush for company.

Meals Included: Full Board
Activities Included: None
Accommodation: Namibia Tracks & Trails Mobile Safari (or similar)
Special Interests: None

Driving past the village of Okangwati, we reach Epupa Falls on the mighty Kunene River, which forms the border between Namibia and Angola. Enough time is spent to explore the majestic falls on an adventurous walk along the falls followed by a welcoming swim in one of the upper rapids of the falls. Camp is pitched on the banks of the Kunene River.

• Epupa Falls
  Epupa Falls lies in Namibia’s remote far north, on the Kunene River close to the Angolan border, where desert landscapes give way to a surprising ribbon of water and life. Here, a series of wide, tumbling cascades cut through rugged rock, creating pockets of mist, cool shade and clusters of ancient baobabs. The atmosphere is tranquil yet powerful, with the low thunder of the falls echoing across an otherwise arid valley. Travellers can enjoy gentle walks along the river, meet Himba communities who have long called this region home, or watch the shifting colours of the cliffs at sunset. It’s a place of raw beauty and quiet contrasts, ideal for those seeking nature in its most elemental form.

• Namibia Tracks & Trails Mobile Safari
  All our safaris are offered on a non-participating basis with the entire camping equipment supplied by us. Standard equipment includes: comfortable dome tents, sleeping rolls with comfortable mattress, proper duvets, cushion, towels and linen, camping fold up beds, electric tent lantern and bedside table, solar bucket showers (1x for every 4 guests) as well as long-drop bush toilets (1x for every 4 guests).

Meals Included: Full Board
Activities Included: None
Accommodation: Namibia Tracks & Trails Mobile Safari (or similar)
Special Interests: None

In the morning we drive along the riverbank, exploring this fascinating area. Travel with the river through mountains and valleys. Receive a friendly and warm welcome from the inhabitants of the Ovahimba settlement. Learn about the ancient customs and way of life of this fascinating tribe and explore the village with its traditional huts. In the late afternoon we will return to our overnight camp.

• Epupa Falls
  Epupa Falls lies in Namibia’s remote far north, on the Kunene River close to the Angolan border, where desert landscapes give way to a surprising ribbon of water and life. Here, a series of wide, tumbling cascades cut through rugged rock, creating pockets of mist, cool shade and clusters of ancient baobabs. The atmosphere is tranquil yet powerful, with the low thunder of the falls echoing across an otherwise arid valley. Travellers can enjoy gentle walks along the river, meet Himba communities who have long called this region home, or watch the shifting colours of the cliffs at sunset. It’s a place of raw beauty and quiet contrasts, ideal for those seeking nature in its most elemental form.

• Namibia Tracks & Trails Mobile Safari
  Three wholesome meals are served daily at table. Breakfast is “full English” style. Lunch consists of cold meats, cheese, salads, pickles, fresh vegetables and fruit. Dinner is a tasty warm meal cooked on open fire. At dinner, wine and beer are included.

Meals Included: Full Board
Activities Included: Visit Ovahimba Settlement
Accommodation: Namibia Tracks & Trails Mobile Safari (or similar)
Special Interests: None

This morning we depart early and drive via the small town of Opuwo on to Hobatere Lodge, located in the #Khoadi//Hoas Conservancy, where we overnight in lodge rooms. Hobatere offers the visitor the opportunity to experience game drives in open vehicles and nature walks with well-knowledgeable rangers. Early morning and night drives are part of the activities on offer where many nocturnal animals, such as aardvark, cape fox, bat-eared fox, aardwolf, genet and many more are encountered.

• Etosha West
  Situated in the western part of Etosha National park, a world-famous wildlife sanctuary in the northwestern part of Namibia, Etosha West is the wilder western region accessed through Galton Gate. Visitors to Etosha West can look forward to exploring the magnificent scenery of this remote north Namibian landscape characterised by lush undulating terrain and a reddish-brown soil, which is a stark contrast to the white dusty clay soil of Etosha East’s flat expansive plains. This area is home to several species not found in the rest of the park: baboons, Mountain Zebra, and Brown Hyena, as well as several unique plants. The area also boasts numerous waterholes attracting elephant, rhino, leopard, lion, a variety of buck, and around 300 bird species.

• Hobatere Lodge Games Drives
  Hobatere Lodge is located 80 km north of Kamanjab on the western border of the Etosha National park, situated in a concession area of 32 000 ha. The concession area is home to a wide selection of game including lion, leopard, oryx, eland, cheetah, aardvark, giraffe, Hartmann’s mountain zebra and elephant. The lodge offers early morning and night game drives in open safari vehicles. The activity includes professionally trained rangers and refreshments.

• Hobatere Lodge
  Hobatere Lodge is strategically located 65 km north of Kamanjab on the western border of the Etosha National Park. The lodge has an airstrip and is situated in a concession area of 8,808 ha which is home to a wide selection of game, including elephant, giraffe, eland, and Hartmann’s zebra.

Meals Included: Breakfast and Dinner
Activities Included: Game Drives and Guided Nature Walks
Accommodation: Etosha Mountain Lodge (or similar)
Special Interests: Birding, Flora, Nature, Wildlife

Today, we drive to the Ongava Reserve. We arrive at Andersson’s Camp in the late afternoon, where we will overnight for two nights and enjoy game drives with the guide in the tour vehicle.

• Ongava Private Game Reserve
  Sharing the southern boundary with Etosha National Park, the prolific 30 000-hectare private Ongava Game Reserve is considered one of the top private game reserves in the region, enjoying global recognition for exceptional conservation, groundbreaking research and exciting safari experiences. The landscape is characterised by vast open plains dotted with salt plans and abundant wildlife. Visitors can easily access Etosha through Andersson’s Gate in the south. 

• Anderssons at Ongava
  With pressing environmental issues threatening our future, Ongava is once again responding to the needs of the planet and our guests with the creation of Anderssons at Ongava and the Ongava Research Centre (ORC), the next generation in eco-tourism. Taking a lesson from the wild in the power of symbiotic relationships, Anderssons at Ongava provides an interactive hub for guests to be a part of conservation science, where cutting edge technology meets hands on, field-based research.

Meals Included: Breakfast and Dinner
Activities Included: Guided Game Drives
Accommodation: Anderssons at Ongava (or similar)
Special Interests: Birding, Flora, Hiking, Leisure, Nature, Relaxation, Star Gazing, Wildlife

Today you get to enjoy the Reserve in all it’s glory, you can have drinks at the pool or partake in the activities offered such as nature walks and guided game drives.

• Ongava Private Game Reserve
  Sharing the southern boundary with Etosha National Park, the prolific 30 000-hectare private Ongava Game Reserve is considered one of the top private game reserves in the region, enjoying global recognition for exceptional conservation, groundbreaking research and exciting safari experiences. The landscape is characterised by vast open plains dotted with salt plans and abundant wildlife. Visitors can easily access Etosha through Andersson’s Gate in the south. 

• Anderssons at Ongava
  With pressing environmental issues threatening our future, Ongava is once again responding to the needs of the planet and our guests with the creation of Anderssons at Ongava and the Ongava Research Centre (ORC), the next generation in eco-tourism. Taking a lesson from the wild in the power of symbiotic relationships, Anderssons at Ongava provides an interactive hub for guests to be a part of conservation science, where cutting edge technology meets hands on, field-based research.

Meals Included: Breakfast and Dinner
Activities Included: Guided Game Drives
Accommodation: Anderssons at Ongava (or similar)
Special Interests: Birding, Flora, Hiking, Leisure, Nature, Relaxation, Star Gazing, Wildlife

We bid farewell to Ongava and return to Windhoek via Okahandja. Okahandja is an important centre for
woodcarvers from the north. They practice their ancient skills at the Woodcarvers Market next to the main road. This is a great place to stop for those wishing to pick up their last souvenir.

Arrival in Windhoek in the late afternoon.