Visit Kaokoland, Northern Namibia

The Kaokoveld is unexplored and will appeal to the adventurer who likes to get off-the-beaten-track. Getting around isn't easy but it has its rewards when you see sights such as Epupa Falls, or local Himba culture.

Himba Woman

Himba WomanDry riverbed, KaokolandThe Epupa FallsDesert elephant in a dry river bedRoad in the KaokoveldHimba boyHimba braceletsRoad sign, NamibiaRocks in a canyon

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The Kaokoveld is unexplored and will appeal to the adventurer who likes to get off-the-beaten-track.

Big mountain ranges such as the Etendeka, Tonnesen, Hartmann and Baynes are found here. To the north you find the Kunene River which separates Angola from Namibia.

Getting around Kaokoveld

Rain in the area is much less than in the rest of the country, but when it rains, muddy roads are everywhere. Even dry riverbeds hide soft traps of deeps sand, whilst the few which seem damp and hard may turn to quicksand within metres. This area is not recommended when you are without a guide.

Opuwo is the administrative capital of Kaokoland. It has shops, a bakery, several garages, a large school and even a short stretch of tarred road in the centre of town. It's found over a low hillside with no apparent centre. The outskirts fade into groups of round Himba huts and irrigated maize fields.

Epupa Falls

Epupa Falls is one of the highlights in this vast area. The river is surrounded by a thin band of makalani palm forest. Away from the river the vegetation dwindles into a land that is dry, harsh and seemingly inhospitable. If you look closely though there is desert adapted flora which supports highly nomadic groups of game. Desert-adapted elephant trudge across gravel plains to find water, giraffe nibble on acacias in dry river beds and gemsbok can be seen crossing the dunes.

Himba culture

A number of Himba communities are found in this region. A highly skilled tribe, they herd cattle and live in one of the world’s harshest environments. Distinctive for the ochre they put on their skin and traditional leather clothing many people want to meet Himba communities. This is possible, but we recommend carefully selecting a responsible guide who respects their culture and customs.

Other places within Northern Namibia

Damaraland

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• {3DC60EDB-52EA-41D7-BE04-AF397EE9659F}
• Damaraland has a wild and rugged landscape and is one of Namibia’s least populated areas. As well as rock art dating back 6,000 years, you can also see game such as desert-adapted elephant and black rhino.
• -20.0507711311268
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Etosha National Park

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• Etosha is one of Africa’s largest game parks. As well as a vast array of birdlife, it has large populations of lion, leopard and cheetah. Elephant occur in hundred-strong herds, whilst black and white rhino are also present.
• -18.7295019990721
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Khaudum National Park

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• Khaudum National Park is little known and vastly underrated. In the dry season its permanent water holes are a magnet for large numbers of game. There is no accommodation in the Khaudum, just designated camping spots.
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Nyae Nyae Conservancy

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• The Nyae Nyae Conservancy is most famous for the Ju’hoansi (also classified as Kung, Bushmen or San) people. It's a place of scattered villages, prehistoric dunes, huge baobab trees and nomadic game.
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• 20.665283203125

Swakopmund and Pelican Point

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• {77F76206-9E38-41D3-A683-A93A047AE028}
• Swakopmund's German colonial history is reflected in its architecture. Within a short drive of the town you'll see seals and flamingos in their thousands. Pelican Point is excellent for a gentle kayaking trips.
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• 14.5337104797363

The Central Highlands

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• Running down Namibia's spine the Central Highlands separate the Kalahari from the dunes of the Namib. The area is home to plenty of wildlife as well as the 'Africat Foundation'.
• -22.2585967409757
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The Skeleton Coast

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• The Skeleton Coast is a barren area and particularly well named; many early explorers’ ships were wrecked here. Surprisingly, there is considerable wildlife further inland. The best way to visit is a fly-in safari.
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• 11.942138671875

Walvis Bay

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• {DEE04897-5365-474C-91F7-EC397FDB881E}
• Walvis Bay is a small quirky town, 30 kilometres south of Swakopmund. It's ideal as a base to explore the surrounding area, which is good for marine and birdlife in particular.
• -22.9479607052794
• 14.5137548446655

Windhoek

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• {1DC08273-337F-4ED1-B1CC-B5AE122F5AC7}
• Although small for a capital city, Windhoek remains the political, economic and cultural centre of the country. The traffic is minimal, the air is clear and skies seem to be permanently blue.
• -22.5749441023192
• 17.0805215835571

Kaokoland

View place

• {A46DD276-5920-4BAD-9282-B0F91CEDA6A2}
• The Kaokoveld is unexplored and will appeal to the adventurer who likes to get off-the-beaten-track. Getting around isn't easy but it has its rewards when you see sights such as Epupa Falls, or local Himba culture.
• -18.0361980634149
• 13.6285400390625

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