Namibia Highlights
with Kaokoveld

On arrival you will be met by a representative of Caprivi Car & 4x4 Hire. Your tour will start by driving 42km to Windhoek the capital and largest city of the Republic of Namibia. You will receive a comprehensive 1-2 hours briefing of the vehicle, camping equipment & the route you will be driving. Following this you can buy provisions in Windhoek for the next 15 days self-drive adventure. Your first night spend will be overnighting in Windhoek in a Guesthouse.

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If your flight are schedule to arrive after 15H00 no vehicle handover will take place only on day 2 but you would be transferred to your first nights’ accommodation.

 

If flights are schedule to arrive before 10H00 am we can change first night in Windhoek to first night outside Windhoek to make day 2’s driving a bit less.

 

Notable landmarks to visit in Windhoek are:  Parliament Gardens, Christ Church (Lutheran church opened in 1910, built in the gothic revival style with Art Nouveau elements.), Tintenpalast (Ink Palace -within Parliament Gardens, the seat of both chambers of the Parliament of Namibia. Built between 1912 and 1913 and situated just north of Robert Mugabe Avenue), Alte Feste (built in 1890 and houses the National Museum), Reiterdenkmal (Equestrian Monument - a statue celebrating the victory of the German Empire over the Herero and Nama in the Herero and Namaqua War of 1904–1907), Supreme Court of Namibia Built between 1994 and 1996 it is Windhoek's only building erected post-independence in an African style of architecture.

 

Dinner at Stellenbosch Wine Bar Restaurant or at Joes Beerhouse would be a wonderful start to an African experience meal.

Today's journey takes you to southern Namibia via the Tropic of Capricorn, Namib Naukluft Park, and Khomas Highlands, with breathtaking views from the Spreetshoogte Pass.

 

Spreetshoogte Pass connects the Namib Desert to the Khomas Highlands, traversing the Great Escarpment. It is Namibia's steepest pass, with gradients of 1:4.5 to 1:6, and descends nearly 1,000 meters within 4 kilometers. The top features a resting spot with stunning views of the Namib. Built during World War II by farmer Nicolaas Spreeth, it remains a marvel of engineering and natural beauty.

 

Next, you’ll arrive in Solitaire, a small, unique settlement named by Elsie Sophia van Coller. Its name reflects dual meanings: a solitary diamond and solitude, symbolizing a rare and precious place. Situated at the junction of the C14 (Walvis Bay - Bethanie) and C19 (Sesriem - Sossusvlei), Solitaire is a key stop for travelers. It offers a petrol station, restrooms, a restaurant, bakery with world-famous apfel strudel, a tire repair shop, and a motel.

 

In the afternoon, enjoy your lodge’s activities, relax by the swimming pool, or visit Sesriem Canyon. Sesriem Canyon is a natural marvel carved by the Tsauchab River over millions of years, offering a glimpse into Namibia's geological history.

 

Overnight in the Naukluft Park surroundings.

Today is a leisure day to explore the breathtaking sights of Sossusvlei Dunes, Dead Vlei, and Sesriem Canyon.

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Sesriem Canyon is named after early Afrikaner trekkers who used six leather thongs ("ses riem") to lower buckets to the water below. Its sheltered depth allows it to hold water well into the dry season.

 

The Sossusvlei dunes in the Namib Desert are among the world’s highest. Sunrise and sunset offer stunning views, with ever-changing colors that are a photographer's dream. Midday heat can be intense, making shade a welcome retreat. 'Vlei,' Afrikaans for a shallow depression or pan, describes the iconic Sossusvlei, which occasionally fills with water during rare rainy seasons when the Tsauchab River flows. The dunes are about 60 km from the Sesriem gate, roughly an hour’s drive.

 

Other notable spots include Naravlei, surrounded by cucumber-like melons that sustain desert life, and Dead Vlei, home to eerie, 800-year-old dead camelthorn trees. Hiddenvlei, tucked behind a dune, offers a quiet escape just out of view from the 2x4 parking area.

 

Overnight in the Namib Naukluft Park surroundings.

Enjoy your breakfast with a view before departing through the rugged Namib Desert toward Walvis Bay via the Kuiseb and Gaub Passes.

 

The Namib Desert, the world’s oldest desert at 43 million years, spans nearly 50,000 km². It includes the Namib Naukluft Park, the southern diamond area, and the Skeleton Coast, now part of the Dorob National Park. Highlights include the Swakop and Kuiseb River Canyons, which typically remain dry except during rare, heavy rains.

Overnight in one of Swakopmund's fabulous guesthouses.

 

The next day is for leisure and activities (please book in advance). Swakopmund, located on Namibia’s west coast 350 km from Windhoek, is a prime holiday destination. Founded in 1892 as the main harbor for German South-West Africa, much of its population remains German-speaking. Iconic landmarks include the jetty, once used for offloading boats, and numerous colonial-era buildings like the old train station-turned-hotel, Woermann House (now a library and shops), the lighthouse, and the jetty restaurant.

 

Swakopmund offers rich attractions, including the National Marine Aquarium, Crystal Gallery, and Martin Luther steam locomotive. Activities range from fishing, dolphin cruises, and quad biking to dune riding, skydiving, ballooning, and camel rides. The town is also known for excellent shopping and dining.

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Recommended restaurants: Jetty 1905, Swakopmund Brauhaus, The Tug, Kucki’s Pub, and Tiger Reef.

Overnight again in Swakopmund.

After breakfast, spend your morning in Swakopmund shopping for souvenirs before journeying along the Namibian coastline. Discover a shipwreck and visit Cape Cross, home to a large seal colony and historic crosses marking Portuguese exploration. Inland, head toward Spitzkoppe, a striking granite peak often called Namibia’s “Matterhorn.” At 1,784 meters, Spitzkoppe is surrounded by flat plains and features Bushmen rock art. It was also a filming location for 2001: A Space Odyssey.

Overnight in the Spitzkoppe Mountains.

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The next day, travel into Damaraland, passing the town of Uis at the foot of Brandberg, Namibia’s highest mountain. Visit the famous White Lady rock painting before continuing to Twyfelfontein, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its ancient rock engravings and the Organ Pipes. Keep an eye out for desert-adapted elephants on the way.

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Damaraland is a ruggedly beautiful region, offering dramatic landscapes of prehistoric riverbeds, grasslands, granite koppies, and sandy deserts. Despite the harsh environment, wildlife such as desert-adapted elephants, black rhinos, giraffes, and springbok thrive here. Elephants travel up to 70 km daily in search of food and water, navigating the euphorbia bush without damaging trees.

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Twyfelfontein has been inhabited for thousands of years, first by Stone Age hunter-gatherers who created most of the engravings, and later by the Khoikhoi, who added their own rock art. The area’s history and culture are as rich as its natural beauty.

Overnight in the Twyfelfontein surroundings.

Today, travel along gravel roads to Kaokoland and Opuwo, the capital of the Kunene Region in northwestern Namibia. Play Hotel California as you drive the dusty roads and prepare to meet the Himba, one of Namibia’s 13 ethnic groups.

 

The name Opuwo, meaning "it’s enough for me," was given in 1974 after orthographic reform. Originally called Otjihinamaparero, the name dates back to Commissioner Hugo Hahn, who requested land to build an office. Despite being offered more land, he insisted the small plot was sufficient, coining the name Opuwo.

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The Himba (OvaHimba) are indigenous, semi-nomadic pastoralists with an estimated population of 50,000, living primarily in the Kunene Region of Namibia and across the Kunene River in Angola. Some groups, like the OvaTwa, are hunter-gatherers. The Himba are culturally distinct from the Herero people and speak OtjiHimba, a Bantu language. Known as Namibia's last semi-nomadic people, they maintain their traditional lifestyle, relying on livestock herding and unique cultural practices.

 

Overnight in the Kunene Region.

Today will only be a short drive up to the boarder of Namibia and Angola to the Epupa Falls. The route to Epupa Falls includes spectacular landscapes, baobab trees and some more Himba Villages which you can also visit, as they differ from the ones at ‘Opuwo region. At Epupa falls you can have a view of the falls and take a hike or just relax and enjoy the bird watching opportunities.

 

The Epupa Falls (also known as Monte Negro Falls in Angola) are created by the Kunene River on the border of Angola and Namibia, in the Kaokoland area of the Kunene Region. The river is 0.5 km wide and drops in a series of waterfalls spread over 1.5 km, with the greatest single drop being 37 m. The name "Epupa" is a Herero word for "foam", in reference to the foam created by the falling water.

 

Overnight close to the Kunene River

Today, head back to Opuwo for your final chance to refuel and shop before entering Etosha National Park via Galton Gate, open to the public since 2014. Along the way, look out for the magnificent Baobab Tree if you missed it on the route from Opuwo to Epupa. Known as the "King of Trees," the baobab, with its massive trunk and upside-down appearance, has inspired myths and offers shelter, food, and medicinal benefits.

Overnight on the west side of Etosha Park.

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Spend the next two days exploring Etosha National Park, a haven for wildlife and one of Namibia’s top destinations. The park is home to hundreds of species, including endangered black rhinos, as well as abundant mammals, birds, and reptiles. The name "Etosha," meaning "great white area," refers to the park's massive salt pan, a striking feature of the landscape.

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Etosha is renowned for its floodlit waterholes at main camps, offering exceptional wildlife viewing opportunities, even at night. It’s a photographer’s paradise, with endless chances to capture Namibia’s iconic wildlife. Declared a game reserve on March 22, 1907, by Dr. Friedrich von Lindequist, the park remains a must-visit for nature lovers.

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Overnight in the Etosha Park surroundings.

Today, drive through Tsumeb to the Waterberg Plateau Park, with an optional stop at the Hoba meteorite.

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The Hoba meteorite, discovered in 1920 by farmer Jacobus Hermanus Brits, is the largest known intact meteorite. Declared a national monument in 1955, it was later donated for educational purposes, and a tourist center was opened in 1987 to protect it from vandalism. Today, it draws thousands of visitors annually.

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The Waterberg Plateau Park is a haven for wildlife and geology enthusiasts. Home to over 200 bird species and rare small antelopes, its rock strata date back 850 million years, with dinosaur tracks from 200 million years ago. Spend your afternoon hiking, watching wildlife, or enjoying the tranquil scenery.

Overnight at the Waterberg Plateau Park.