9 Nights and 10 Days From NAD 12100 pp

Itinerary

Day 1. Windhoek - Naukluft, via Rietoog   (285 Km)

When you walk from the airplane to the customs building at Hosea Kutako International Airport, it is the first step of many that you take in this beautiful country, Namibia.

We immediately head for the Naukluft mountain range, nestled in the west of the country. Following the undulating country roads, you catch a small glimpse of Namibia before we reach our campsite for the night, an old farmhouse. This antique manmade structure will mark both the start and the end of our trip. A hearty dinner consisting of meat and vegetables will be the last of this sort of luxury for the next eight days.

 

Day 2. Naukluft Walking Trail

We start early today from the Hiker's Haven, and the walk is mostly uphill. With the right attitude, however, nothing is too difficult. Two steep ascents later, we should reach a plateau and the walking becomes a little easier. Please note, fellow hiker, that we carry the food for the entire trail, so today we will take it easy in order to get accustomed to the walking conditions. The distance to be covered today is 14 kilometres and we set up camp at Putte.

 

Day 3. Naukluft Walking Trail

An early morning departure from Putte sees us making our way to our next destination, Ubisis Gorge. This kloof, as it is known in Afrikaans, makes for a truly spectacular walk. Descending into the canyon with the help of chains anchored into the rock is a real treat. Our total distance to be covered today is 15 kilometres and the old farmer's cottage at the end of Ubusis Gorge is a welcome sight for sore eyes and a well-deserved rest for sore muscles.

 

Day 4. Naukluft Walking Trail

Adlerhost shelter is our destination. This 12 kilometre hike is mainly on the plateau, and is, therefore, relatively easy when compared to any of the other days. Hopefully, today we will spot the animal that for which this park was designed and renowned - the mountain zebra.

 

Day 5. Naukluft Hiking Trail

We head for the halfway mark today as we steeply ascend and bypass a waterfall in the extremely beautiful Tsams River Gorge - a milestone to be noted. 17 kilometres later, we reach the shelter at Tsams-Ost.

 

Day 6.  Naukluft Hiking Trail

After an energising breakfast, we head towards Broekskeur. Although this is a fairly steep climb, once on top, it is a very nice and easy walk. We will have had to fill all our water bottles, as Fonteinpomp no longer has any water. Passing by quiver trees and euphorbias, we might also see some of the smaller animals of the park. Our camp for the night is at Die Valle, or ‘the falls' in Afrikaans.

 

Day 7. Naukluft Hiking Trail

The day starts with a steep climb of about 200 meters to reach the top of Die Valle but a spectacular view from the top is enough of a prize to justify the climb. After this, we drop down into the Arbeid Adelt Valley. Six hours later, we reach our next stop, the Tufa shelter. This will act as our safe haven for the evening.

 

Day 8.  Naukluft Hiking Trail

Today, we head for Bakenskop, which is 1,950 meter above sea level. 600 meters below Bakenskop is the Tsondab River Valley. The view that you are privileged to experience from Bakenskop is absolutely stunning and well worth the climb. The vistas that are apparent from horizon to horizon are of such beauty that it will rob you of your very breath. Suddenly, all is right with the world, and the long walk is well worth it. The sore muscles and aching joints are a thing of the past because to merely be in nature and to be rewarded with such views is the ultimate experience. From here, we cross the Kapoklaagte towards the Kapoklaagte shelter.

 

Day 9. Naukluft Hiking Trail

Today is the last day of this trail and should take between five and six hours. The trail winds down and eventually meets up with the Olive Tree Trail. We end the day at Tsauchab River Camp with a good meal and a proper bed.

 

Day 10.  Tsauchab - Windhoek  (285 Km)

We leave  Tsauchab after a long leisurely breakfast. Going back over the Gamsberg, we have another splendid view before we continue on to the bustling city of Windhoek. Our final stop is at the Windhoek International Airport, where the greetings may be sad but are not forever. Goodbyes are not often said by our guides. Instead, they say, ‘Till next time!'

 

Naukluft Notes

 

• Weather:       

Hiking is permitted from the 1^st of March to the 31^st of October every year. Although these are the colder months in Namibia, day temperatures can soar to above 30 Degrees Celsius. Walking over this kind of terrain will, thus, be a rather hot experience. Night temperatures are the extreme opposite. It can be very cold; therefore warm clothes and a good sleeping bag are necessities.

 

• Hiking:           

A medical certificate acquired not longer than 30 days before the departure date is a non-negotiable requirement.  Regular hikers find this trail tough, so be prepared. The entire trail is 120 kilometres long and covers mainly rough terrain. Accommodation on the trail is mainly open-sided wind shelters. Cold showers are available, as are pools of water on two of the days. No open fires are allowed therefore all cooking must be done on primus stoves.        

           

• The Namib Naukluft Park:   

As the biggest game park in Namibia, the Namib Naukluft Park is 49,768 square kilometres in size. The Naukluft Mountain Massif was proclaimed in 1966 for the sole purpose of creating a haven for the ever-decreasing Mountain zebra population in Namibia.  The area has a large variety of other game, which includes kudu, klipspringer, baboon and leopard. There are many birds to be seen as well for all the keen birdwatchers that will be joining us. Another stunning feature of this mountain is the large number of geological structures found in this area.