Kaokoland - Kunene River

Depart from Swakopmund travelling along the Atlantic Coast towards the North. Visit the lichen fields near Wlotzka’s Baken before continuing to Henties Bay, a small holiday resort. Onwards to the seal colony at Cape Cross. After visiting the seals, the journey continues via Ugabmund to the southern Skeleton Coast Park to inspect a shipwreck. Enjoy a picnic lunch and cold refreshments then to the old deserted Toscanini Diamond Mine and also an abandoned oilrig. We leave the Skeleton Coast Park in the early afternoon via Springbokwasser and guests can experience the harsh transition from the Namib Desert to the Damaraland highlands with its impressive landscape and ragged valleys. Here one can perhaps sight the first springbok, zebra and oryx and, with some luck, the desert elephants.

Overnight stay in at Palmwag Lodge, a rustic but refined bush lodge. After enjoying a drink and a delicious supper, guests can let the day’s impressions sink in.

Departure en route to Sesfontein and Opuwo over the Sesfontein Pass. The trail continues in a westerly direction to Kaoko Otavi. After a visit there, the journey continues into the Hoarusib River Valley. Encounter various Ovahimba families.

Camping in the Hoarusib River.

Time and again one meets Ovahimba families and the guest will have, if not today, the opportunity to explore an Ovahimba village as well as a traditional hut. The guest learns about the old customs and way of life of this nomadic tribe. The Ovahimba gratefully accept sugar, confectionery, tobacco and other trinkets as gifts.

Overnight open camp in the region of Orupembe, a large Ovahimba settlement.

We continue into the western part of Kaokoland, the Hartmann Valley. Our destination today is Camp Serra Cafema. Fully furnished 2bed tents en suite, with hot and cold water, a swimming pool, small bar – all this in a relaxing atmosphere under lovely shady anatrees (Faidherbia albida) on the banks of the mighty Kunene River.

Overnight in Serra Cafema.

Today guests are indulged with guided 4 x 4 sightseeing tours, hikes in the gorges and valleys of the Hartmann Valley, a boat trip on the Kunene River and a visit to an Ovahimba family living in the vicinity of the Camp. The Hartmann Valley is unique and offers the guests the opportunity to enjoy, in perfect solitude, nature at its purest.

Overnight in Camp Serra Cafema.

Today we say “Adieu Camp Cafema” and embark on our return journey. Via Rooidrom we continue our journey through the northwestern Kaokoland to Orupembe. We traverse almost deserted contrasting landscapes, ranging from desert to Kaokohighland.

Camping in the open.

After breakfast, we leave in southerly direction through the beautiful Hoarusib River valley with Ovahimba settlings and high palm trees. With some luck, will we encounter the desert elephant.

Camping in one of the side arms of the Hoanib River. Often small herds of elephant pass the camp.

Break up camp, we then go on a game drive in search of the desert elephant. We continue in the Hoanib Riverbed towards Sesfontein. Encounter with game species such as zebra, oryx, giraffe, springbok and ostrich along the way.

After a short sojourn at Sesfontein, a one-time Schutztruppen outpost with six water springs situated above the settlement, our journey takes us back to Palmwag Lodge.

Overnight in bungalows at Palmwag Lodge

Early departure to Twyfelfontein to visit the rock engravings. We continue via the “Burnt Mountain” to Uis, a small mining town. As we pass the highest mountain of Namibia, the ± 2800 meter high Brandberg, it appears almost surreal. Return to Swakopmund in the late afternoon. End of Tour.