ABOUT Kaokoland
Kaokoland and Marien Fluss is the place to go, if you like extreme terrain, hidden valleys and rare, exotic culture. The Kaokoland, also called Kaokoveld, is remote, sparsely populated and lies between the Skeleton Coast Park and the Kunene River on the Angolan border.
Sparsely populated, serene and largely empty, you will find scattered settlements of semi-nomadic Himba tribes and a variety of ecosystems from desert terrains to the west and mopane savannah to the east, with mountain ranges to the north near the Kunene River.
Kaokoland is a succession of hills and mountains punctuated by endless plains. This isolated rugged region is home to the nomadic Himba, who have remained unchanged for many generations. The attraction of Kaokoland lies in its wild and uncharted valleys and mountains. It is the most isolated and undeveloped region of Namibia.
Rugged trails take you through sometimes, impossible terrain that test your vehicle and the skills of the driver.
Kaokoland Highlights
- Searching for the elusive Stonemen
- Most rugged, yet authentic travel
- Panoramic Vistas
- Isolation and Desolate Valleys
- Desert Mountains and unusual landscapes
- Desert Elephants and Lions
- Iconic Himba People
- Wild Camping
- Riverbed Driving in deep sandy tracks
- The Marienfluss Scenery
- Magnificent Trees in Riverbeds
Day 1: Departure
Traveling Arrangement
Pick Up at Windhoek Airport at 13:00 to overnight in a Guesthouse in Otjiwarongo Lodge for Passengers with Eco Ventures
Accommodation: Otjiwarongo Lodge (BB)
Dinner: Restaurant (own account)
Day 2
Self-Drive, meet us late afternoon in Opuwo the day before departure, at Kaoko Mopani Lodge.
Trip briefing and sundowners around a fire in a seating area of the Bar-Restaurant, overlooking a riverbed.
Accommodation: Lodge near Opuwo (BB)
Dinner: Restaurant (own account)
Day 3: Opuwo to Hoarusib Riverbed
New adventures await during the next days of our trip. From Opuwa we take the D3707 along the Kameelberg Mountains to the Hoarusib Riverbed. A road less travelled. From Opuwo, the stretch without Fuel is 770km of 4×4 riverbed and sand driving, and additional fuel per vehicle will have to be carried.
Accommodation: Hoarusib Wilderness Camping
Dinner: Eco Ventures Braai (DB&B)
Day 4: Etanga to Marble Camp near Onjuva
Kaokoland rocky and mountain scenery at its best, with slow-going jeep tracks.
Marble Camp is on an old marble mine site. First Stonemen, be on the lookout it is easy
to miss them.
Accommodation: House on The Hill Chalets and Marble Camp Site (DBB)
Dinner: Eco Ventures Braai
Day 5: Onjuva to Syncro Camp via Marien Fluss
Today we head north through the grass fields of the Marienfluss Valley towards the Kunene River.
Grasslands dominate the broad, central Marienfluss and Hartmann’s Valleys, with dunes covering the western section. Wildlife includes leopard, cheetah, giraffe, variety of game, mountain zebra, and crocodiles. Our campsite for the next two nights, is on the banks of the Kunene River and has toilets and shower facilities
Accommodation: Syncro Camp – camping
Dinner: Eco Ventures Braai (DB&B)
Day 6
Spend the day exploring the Marienfluss at your leisure or just relaxing at the campsite, with views of the Kunene River, crocodiles sunning on rocks and abundant bird life.
Accommodation: Syncro Camp – camping
Dinner: Eco Ventures Braai (DB&B)
Day 7: Syncro Camp via Rooidrom to Khumib River
Sadly, after breakfast, we have to leave the banks of the Kunene River behind and drive back through extraordinary scenery – the Marienfluss, and to our next destination.
Lunch stop at a famous landmark in Kaokoland called the Red Drum. The original drum was a red Caltex 45 gallon drum that Mr Ben Van Zyl left there after using it as a petrol stash. In those years you could actually leave petrol like this there without it being stolen! In the end he used it as a marker and called it Rooidrom. The original drum at Rooidrom was taken by Hereros who would fill it with river water and take it to their cattle in the Marienfluss. Chris Eyre, who was the nature conservator there, replaced it with a new drum that he painted red and it was immediately taken again. The last and third drum, he made full of holes and put gravel inside. It is still standing.
Accommodation: Khumib Riverbed Wilderness Camping
Dinner: Eco Ventures Braai (DB&B)
Day 8: Khumib Riverbed via Hoanib Riverbed to Puros
After Lunch we will stop at the best little shop in Kaokoland, in a small village called Orupembe, for an ice-cold beer. Following the Khumib River for most of the afternoon, keeping a lookout for possible sightings of Desert Elephants and other wild life. Turn into Hoarusib River which takes us all the way to Puros and our campsite.
The camp sites are rustic, but have toilets and hot-shower facilities
Accommodation: Puros Bush-Camp – Camping
Dinner: Eco Ventures Braai (DB&B)
Day 9
Rest Day at Puros, with a drive into Puros Canyon and brunch in the Canyon.
Possible Elephants sightings in camp and in the Canyon, as well as giraffes and other game.
Accommodation: Puros Bush-Camp – Camping
Dinner: Eco Ventures Braai (DB&B)
Day 10: Puros Canyon via Amspoort to Hoanib riverbed
Through Puros Canyon we will be heading down the Hoarusib River, crossing over to the Hoanib River at Amspoort. A day of driving through a moon landscape and dry-riverbed driving with huge Camel Thorn Trees. Sightings of Giraffes, Elephants other game and even lions.
Accommodation: Hoanib Riverbed Wilderness Camping
Dinner: Eco Ventures Braai (DB&B)
Day 11: Hoanib Riverbed and into Palmwag Conservancy
A long but beautiful day, and we will search for elephants, rhino and other wildlife and experiencing the ever-changing landscapes of Kaokoland. Wild camp in Hoanib riverbed.
Accommodation: Riverbed Wilderness Camping
Dinner: Eco Ventures Braai (DB&B)
Day 12: Along 4-wheel drive tracks via Sesfontein to Palmwag Lodge
A morning drive looking out for Rhino, Elephant and other game.
Relaxing afternoon at Plamwag Lodge, with our last evening around a camp fire
Accommodation: Luxury en-suited Tented Chalets
Dinner: Eco Ventures Braai
Day 13: Palmwag via Windhoek to overnight in Mariental
The support team leave early for Mariental and you are welcome to join.
Gravel Travel 4×4 Road-Trip Tours
Africa Eco Ventures offers Guided African Safari’s and expeditions with a combination of Camping and Lodge accommodation. with enough – bush – in style
Either join one of our tour’s from the privacy of your own vehicle, or join as passenger with us, in one of our double cab 4×4 vehicles.
Do not own your own 4×4 vehicle, but would like to self-drive? Hire a club cab 4×4 vehicle from us.
You do not need to have previous 4 x 4 driving experience to join in the fun, and the two-way radios we provide to every vehicle, enables the tour leader to effectively communicate with the convoy, ensuring your safety whilst in transit and at the same time involving everyone in the ecological, historical, cultural, ornithological components of the areas we visit.
Groups vary between 4 and 6 vehicles, with small group numbers, not more than 14.
While on tour, our mobile bush kitchen will treat you a hearty breakfast and dinner is always enjoyed around the campfire.
Whilst we offer a selection of meat-based meals that include traditional favourites like braaivleis and homecooked bobotie, we are also able to cater for vegetarian meal preferences, provided we are notified in advance.
Meals are accompanied by fresh salad and/or vegetables.
While in camp – tea, coffee and early morning homemade rusks are yours to enjoy!
Our bush kitchen provides crockery, cutlery, coffee mugs and wine glasses.
We will have ice ready for your sundowners
Important to note, alcoholic beverages and refreshments and of course, your own snacks are your own responsibility.
Passengers driving with us will be provided with dome tents (2.5m x 2.5m x 1.8m high) ground cover, camping chair, a tent light and small bedside table,
as well as a stretcher and mattress.
Bring your own sleeping bag and pillow
We can provide camping gear for self-drive clients, as well.
Prior to the start of each tour, you will receive comprehensive information on what is needed to prepare yourselves for the adventure that lies ahead – this includes recommended overnight accommodation en route, directional & route info, what you need for your vehicle, border crossing info, what to pack!
Tours spanning throughout Southern Africa – Botswana, Namibia, and of course, our own beautiful South Africa, we pride ourselves on being able to offer something for everyone.
Personalised small group tours and no extreme technical skills needed for 4×4 driving. Sometimes rocky sections and deep sand, but mostly we assist you for safety and to get to know your vehicle.
Rather enjoy nature with shorter distances per day
WE PROVIDE
ACCOMMODATION – Combination of TENTS AND CHALETS/LODGE
We provide camping gear
Dome tents 3m x3m x 1.82m high- go together with a light, a stretcher, mattress and bedside table.
Upgrade to chalets, with no camping is available
MEALS
Our fully equipped BUSH kitchen (including crockery, cutlery and coffee mugs) will treat you with a hearty breakfast that varies from continental to bacon/boerewors and eggs.
Dinner is always around a camp fire – South African Braai and homecooked meals like bobotie. Always accompanied by fresh salad and vegetables.
COFFEE Station – tea and coffee are yours to enjoy in camp – with early morning homemade rusks
ICE Bucket is ready before Wine O’Clock for sundowners.
SUPPORT Vehicle with Guides and 2-way radios for each vehicle
YOUR ESSENTIAL LIST
SELF DRIVE with own vehicle
Own 4×4 Vehicle or 2×4 with good ground clearance and off-road tyres. Own Alcoholic beverages/ refreshments, drinking water and snacks. Sleeping bag, pillow and your own camp chairs. Park entry fees, Road Tax and Restaurant meals as per itinerary.
YOUR ESSENTIAL LIST
AS PASSENGER WITH ECO VENTURES
Transport in Double Cab 4×4 Vehicle
Sleeping bag, pillow and alcoholic beverages/refreshments and your own snacks.
Park entry fees and restaurant meals as per itinerary.
