Faces of the Namib

The Kaokoland is one of the last remaining wilderness areas … a barren inaccessible
region with lots of mystique, scenic beauty and the nomadic Himba culture. The
latter still live according to ancient traditions. The Kaokoland is also the home of the
famous desert elephant, lion and giraffe that have adapted through time to survive in
these conditions. The northern section of this region borders the Cunene River, the
natural boundary between Namibia and Angola. Awesome scenes of beautiful
waterfalls, palm trees, rugged mountains and dune landscapes are to be found along
this river belt.

The highlights of the interior include the vast expand of the Marienfluss with the
mysterious “fairy circles” and the open plains of the Hartmansvlakte where herds of
Springbok roam.

You will not leave the Kaokoland untouched…. it leaves everlasting impressions. We
are not just driving through this wilderness area, but promise to take you places few
have visited before you. This will be a tour of a lifetime.

This tour is going to be an expedition. The itinerary serves as an indication of the
route, but due to road conditions and unforeseen circumstances, the day-to-day
programme may be adjusted.

Sunday, 20 June 2010
Day 0: Kunene River Lodge
Plan your programme to arrive no later that 13:00 at the Shell Garage in Ruacana.
Your guide and tour leader will meet you there. This is also a last opportunity to
refuel your vehicle and fill up your jerry cans. Proceed from there in convoy to the
Kunene River Lodge. It is a beautiful drive running parallel with the Cunene River.
The Kunene River Lodge is situated on the river bank under shady trees.

Set-up camp and enjoy this pieceful environment.
Dinner at the camp.
O/N Camping Kunene River Lodge (dinner)
(hot showers and toilets)

Monday, 21 June 2010
Day 1 West along the Cunene
Depart from the lodge and drive in a western direction. En route we stop at the
monument that commemorates the Dorsland Trekkers. We also briefly stop at
Swartbooisdrift where the Dorsland Trekkers crossed the Cunene into Angola.

We will be following one of the most scenic 4 x 4 tracks in the world as we drive
along the Cunene with hundreds of Makalani Palms along the river and passing the
Zebra Mountains.

Tonight we will set-up a bush camp.
O/N Bush Camp (brunch, dinner)
no facilities – camp shower

Tuesday, 22 June – Wednesday, 23 June 2010
Day 2 – 3: To Epupa
Today we continue further along the Cunene driving through tree arches formed by
the branches of huge trees. Progress is slow due to bad road conditions, but that
allows plenty of time to take in this amazing scenery.

Arrive late afternoon at Epupa … a wonderful sight awaits you. Here the waters of
the Cunene plunge to 60 meters below at the main stream with the river splitting up
in hundreds of small waterfalls … a sight you will never forget.

Set-up camp at one of the campsites at Epupa.
Here you will also get closer acquainted with the Himbas and learn about their
ancient culture.
O/N: Day 2 – 3: Campsite at Epupa (brunch, dinner)
(showers and toilets)

Thursday, 24 June – Friday, 25 June 2010
Day 4 – 5: Van Zyl’s Pass
Early departure from Epupa as we will need to negotiate Van Zyl’s Pass either today
or tomorrow depending on progress – the true Kaokoland awaits you. The road to
Van Zyl’s Pass is very rocky and for this reason a vehicle with high ground
clearance is a requirement (also off road trailers). The pass was named after
Ben van Zyl, the “Bantu” Commissioner of the Kaokoveld in 1960. He and his righthand man, Jeremiah, together with a team of Himba’s built various routes in the
Kaokoland.

The sight across the Marienfluss from the summit of Van Zyl’s Pass is awesome.
Van Zyl’s Pass (Otjihipa mountains) ends in the Marienfluss. This beautiful grass
plain is a wonderful sight.

O/N Day 4 – 5: Bush Camp (brunch, dinner)
No facilities – camp shower

Saturday, 26 June 2010
Day 6: Hartmansvallei
Today we explore the beautiful landscape to the north. We will travel to the border of
the Skeleton Coast Park, see wide-open plains, sand dunes and granite “koppies”.
Our overnight stop will be close to the Skeleton Coast Park in the Hartmansvallei
near the Krokodil Mountain amongst the sand dunes.
O/N Bush Camp (brunch, dinner)
No facilities – camp shower

Sunday, 27 June 2010
Day 7: Orupembe
Today we head south through a dune landscape en route to the rugged Kaokoland.
We are entering the domain of the desert elephant. Be on the lookout for these
elephants that have adapted over time to survive in these harsh conditions. These
desert elephants are one of a group of only two desert dwelling elephants found in
the world … the other in Mali.

O/N Bush Camp near Orupembe (brunch, dinner)
No facilities – camp shower

Monday, 28 June – Tuesday 29 June 2010
Day 8 – 9: Puros
Today we will follow the dry riverbed of the Khumib River. We cross over to the
Hoariseb River with a good chance of spotting the desert elephants. You will notice
the body mass of these elephants are lesser while their feet are bigger than the rest
of their species that live in better conditions else where in Africa.
You can also be on the lookout for back rhino and lion. Our overnight stop is Puros
where we will spend two nights – this is to allow us to go in search of the elephants,
rhino and lion.

O/N Day 8 – 9: Bush Camp at Puros (brunch, dinner)
Basic camp facilities – cold shower and long drops

Wednesday, 30 June 2010
Day 10: Gainas Plain
From Puros we travel south along the boarder of the Skeleton Coast Park and
through the Gainas Plain. To the Huanib River. Here we will set-up a bush camp in
the dry riverbed.

O/N Bush Camp (brunch, dinner)
No facilities – camp shower

Thursday, 01 July 2010
Day 11: Huanib River
Enjoy a game drive in the Huanib River. This is truly a game viewing paradise. Be
on the lookout for giraffe, gemsbokke and desert elephants. The mountains are
beautiful and the sunset fantastic.

We arrive at the Palmwag Lodge where we will spend our last night together. Set-up
camp and enjoy dinner

O/N Camping at Palmwag Lodge (brunch, dinner)
Shower and toilets

Friday, 02 July 2010
Day 12: End of Tour
After breakfast it is time for sad farewells. Break-up camp and depart at own pace
home. Khorixas is about 170 km from Palmwag.