Faces of the Namib

Day 0: Kunene Island Camp
Plan your programme to arrive no later that 17:00 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 Island Camp. It is a beautiful drive running parallel with the Cunene River.
The Kunene Island Camp 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 Island Camp (dinner)
(hot showers and toilets)

Day 1 West along the Cunene
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

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)

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. The pass was named after Ben van Zyl, the “Bantu” Commissioner of the Kaokoveld in 1960. He and his right-hand 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

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

Day 7: Orupembe
Today we head south through a dune landscape en route to the rugged Kaokoland.
O/N Bush Camp near Orupembe (brunch, dinner)
No facilities – camp shower

Day 8: Puros
TToday we will follow the dry riverbed of the Khumib River. 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. 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.
Our overnight stop is Puros
O/N Day 8: Bush Camp at Puros (brunch, dinner)
Basic camp facilities – cold shower and long drops

Day 9: Gainas Plain
From Puros we travel south along the boarder of the Skeleton Coast Park and through the Gainas Plain. To the Hoanib River. Here we will set-up a bush camp in the dry riverbed.
O/N Bush Camp (brunch, dinner)
No facilities – camp shower

Day 10: Hoanib River
Enjoy a game drive in the Hoanib 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. Depending on progress we set up camp close to Sesfontein in one of the community camp sites (Ongongo or Khowarib)
O/N Community Camp (brunch, dinner)
shower and toilets

Day 11: Palmwag
Say ‘good bye’ to Kaokoland and start the journey back home. 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

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.