The Damaraland / Kaokoland Tour is a 10 day camping tour into Damaraland and Kaokoland, regions of instantly recognizable landmarks, dramatically changing mountain sceneries, desert-adapted flora and fauna and into the land of the nomadic and pastoral Himba people. The safari starts and ends in Namibia's capital city of Windhoek, heading north-west on both tarred and gravel roads to Brandberg, a highlight of any tour. The journey continues through a rugged, but spectacular landscape tracking and in search of desert-adapted elephant and the elusive black rhino, following prehistoric water courses that are now dry river beds - home to a vast array of desert life.

An added attraction of this tour is spending time tracking and searching for desert-adapted elephant and black rhino, as well as other specialist desert wildlife species.

First stop is one of Namibia's most notable landmarks - the Brandberg Mountain (burning mountain) which rises sharply out of the flat, coastal plains. It houses an abundance of rock paintings, created when it was once home to the ancient San people. As it is only 50km from the coast, the Brandberg offers visitors a unique selection of plants and animals, including the Welwitschia mirabilis, proof of a long and fascinating period of evolution and adaptation.

The long drive into Kaokoland is well-worth it and although the region is harsh and offers little respite at midday, the rugged landscape is especially attractive during the early morning and late afternoon when it is transformed into softly glowing pastel shades. Expect to see rugged mountains which are dissected by numerous watercourses, changing north of the Hoarusib River to a scenery dominated by table-top koppies. Both Damaraland and Kaokoland are a refuge for the rare desert dwelling elephant and black rhino.

Highlights include:

• The Brandberg - Namibia's highest mountain and home to the famous 'White Lady' Bushman Painting.
• The Palmwag Concession Area - 2 full days in a region that supports the largest free roaming population of black rhino in Africa, as well as desert-adapted elephants, prolific bird life, large populations of Hartmann's mountain zebra and large concentrations of lion roaming the countryside in search of prey.
• Bush-camping on dry river beds.
• Twyfelfontein - the site contains around 2,000 rock engravings; one of the largest and most important concentrations of rock art in Africa,. It was proclaimed a National Monument in 1952.

Overnight stops are in a combination of bush camps and camping sites. This is not a schedule safari and departures are on request for your group. To ensure the highest level of personal service group sizes are limited to a maximum of 4 participants.

We can design variations of this safari to suit your time (longer or shorter trips) & to take into account any special interests.

Camping Safaris | Namibia

Pre Departure Day:

You will be collected from the airport & transferred to your accommodation in Windhoek. Here you will have a pre-safari briefing and then have what is left of the day to explore the city.
Meals: Dinner
Accommodation: Guest House in Windhoek

Day 1: Windhoek to Brandberg West Area

Passengers will be collected from their accommodation in Windhoek before driving a scenic route to the Brandberg West Area. Once the bush camp has been set up, there will be time to visit Namibia's highest mountain, whose highest peak is called 'Königstein'. The name 'fire mountain', is associated with Brandberg because of the effect created by the setting sun on its western face, which causes the granite massif to resemble a burning slag-heap glowing red. The Herero name, 'Omukuruvaro', means 'mountain of the Gods'.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Camping in the Brandberg Area

Days 2 & 3: (Brandberg West Area to) Palmwag Concession

A long drive north to the Palmwag Concession enables the tour to spend a full 2 days in the concession area tracking and searching for desert-adapted elephant and black rhino (under the management of the Save the Rhino Trust). The large populations of Hartmann's mountain zebra, giraffe, oryx, springbok and kudu attract the largest predator population outside of the Etosha National Park. There are over 100 lions, cheetah, leopard, brown and spotted hyena in the concession and Ornithologists will delight in the prolific and diverse birdlife, with most of Namibia's endemics present.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Camping in the Palmwag Concession

Day 4: Palmwag to Hoanib River

After breakfast, the safari heads easterly to the nearby Hoanib River, with more probing around the desert en-route for desert-adapted flora and fauna. Camping is in the dunes and hills surrounding the dry river bed.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Camping in the Hoanib River bed

Day 5: Hoanib River to Khumib Valley Area

Today the vehicles aim for another dry river bed, the Hoarusib via the settlement of Puros. Once again desert-adapted wildlife will remain the focus and as always photographic opportunities abound.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Camping in the Khumib Valley area

Day 6: Khumib Valley Area to Ongongo Campground

It's back eastwards inland to a 'nice place' or Ongongo as it is more commonly known. Once the campsite has been established, it's into the crystal clear natural rock pool for a refreshing and well-earned splash.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Ongongo Campground

Day 7: Ongongo Campground to Twyfelfontein

On the way to the overnight camp site, the tour will stop off at Twyfelfontein, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to over 2,000 rock engravings that are over 5,000 years old. Twyfelfontein (meaning doubtful fountain in Afrikaans) has one of the most prominent collections of rock paintings and engravings in Namibia.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Aabadi Mountain Camp

Day 8: Twyfelfontein to Brandberg

The penultimate journey is back to Brandberg, where it all started. The afternoon can be enjoyed at your leisure, with the pool at the lodge featuring prominently.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Camping at White Lady Lodge

Day 9: Brandberg to Windhoek

After breakfast and once the camp has been stuck, all that remains of the tour is to travel back to the capital city. Arrival time is scheduled for around lunchtime, where you will be dropped off at their respective accommodation in Windhoek or airport if preferred.
Meals:Breakfast

General

This safari is classed as full participation. This means everyone helps to put up tents and on and off-load the equipment and participates in general camp chores

Overnight stops are in a combination of bush camps and camping sites.

Included

Transport in a well equipped 4x4 Landcruiser

Services of an expereinced professional Namibian safari guide

Entrance fees & campsite costs

Excluded

Beverages
Sleeping Bag (can be hired)
Tips
Travel Insurance