Kaokoland Damaraland Namibia 2026
Overview
Namibia is one of those destinations where it is difficult to say why it is a must do. The reason is that it is just one of those magical places.
We visit two regions of significance culturally:
Kaokoland was an administrative unit in northern South West Africa, in the Kaokoveld ecoregion, and it was intended to be a self-governing homeland of the OvaHimba. In the same way Damaraland was intended by the apartheid government to be a self-governing homeland for the Damara people.
Further to their cultural history we can today experience the geological history in all its splendour.
Global plate movements of around 560 million years ago pushed many areas together to form the supercontinent Gondwana, which included most of the landmasses which make up today’s continents of the Southern Hemisphere. During the millions of years that followed the only changes to the shape of the Damara mountains came from weather erosion and subsidence. Another period of mountain creation in Namibia began, named the Karoo time, which dramatically changed the face of Namibia. At that time Namibia was closer to the Antarctic and much of the interior was covered with glaciers.
To bare witness today to this awesome landscape is truly an honour. Here the un spoilt nature is still un spoilt.
The tour requires a bit of off road driving, and then rewards you with the most spectacular landscape scenery you have ever seen.
We take it slow look for the Lone Men, and have a few days of relaxing.
We drive the Kunene river, visit Etosha, experience Marienfluss, one or two famous rivers around Phuros and Sesfontein. Experience the Namib desert. Truly a magical two weeks.
Join us on this spectacular tour and do a few things you might not have done before.
You don’t need any experience as a 4×4 driver and you only need a basic 4×4 with low range. Nothing fancy. I am there and will help through the technical areas.
The Itinerary
This tour starts in Windhoek and finishes in Swakopmund.
Day 1.
We start our journey in the heart of Windhoek. A good campsite with nice restaurant. We meet here for our first night.
Day 2.
We continue our journey and head North. We will be staying at a lodge at the entrance of Etosha. We sleep at this lodge for two nights.
Day 3.
We enter Etosha National Park and spend the day in the park exploring. Many have not been there before and this is a good time to see what is what in the park.
Day 4.
We continue on and head north towards Ruacana. Our camp on the Kunene river.
Day 5.
After breakfast we set off to do the Cunene 4 x 4 trail. This trail can be done in one day and we had towards our Campsite at Epupa falls for the next 2 nights.
Day 6.
We take a well deserved rest day and relax under the trees, reading a book or just sleeping in a little bit. There are some activities available if you feel like it. Maybe a lunch or catching up with laundry?
Day 7.
After breakfast we continue our journey towards the Marienfluss and travel down to Opuwo for a bit of shopping. We head north and travel to where we can before making camp. Depending on our progress this might be a bush camp.
Day 8.
We traveled down the breathtaking escarpment in to the desert area and make our way to our campsite in the Marienfluss. We will not be using van Zyls pass, I am using a more user friendly road which is much more scenic. Still a little challenging depending on rainfall. We camp in the Fluss for the night.
Day 9.
We take a rest day on the banks of the Kunene river, do a bit of washing, or just relaxing.
Day 10.
After breakfast we head south through the western side of the Fluss. We enjoy the splendour of this area. We travel south towards Damaraland.
We hug the edge of the Namib in a breathtaking driving day. We finally end up at a bush camp under the Namib stars for the night.
Day 11.
Then further south through spectacular landscape via Orupembe and very spectacular scenes and on to Phuros for the night.
Day 12.
From here we will take a slow day to drive up to Palmwag area. We stop at Fort Sesfontein for lunch.
Day 13.
We transition over in to the Damaraland area where we visit Twyfelfontein rock art world heritage site. Then on to the Brandberg area for the night.
Day 14.
For our last night we head down to Swakop. Here you can stay an extra day or head down to Sossousvlei. A lovely little tourist town.
Day 15.
This is where our journey ends and I start heading home.
Tour specific comments
van Zyls pass:
I have now driven Van Zyls pass and the alternative routes several times. Personally I think too much is said and written about the pass. I think it takes you away from more spectacular scenery.
On this tour I am not doing van Zyls pass. If you wanted to see what it is like here is a short video that will show you.
The alternative routes has similar 4×4 driving but are much more spectacular.
Vehicle:
A normal 4×4 with low range as you buy them from the shop floor. No special kit required.
Drivers:
No experience required, I personally guide the tour and will give you everything you need as we go.
Towing:
Between Marble and Marienfluss we will pass over klein van Zyls, so I prefer no towing please.
However, if you have a capable vehicle and you have the skill and you are towing something small like an off road trailer, I will not stop you from towing.
Remember the roads wash away every year and I do not know what the condition would be like when we get there. We will have to figure it out as we go.
Other:
There is 220V power available from time to time but nothing to rely on.