Drive in convoy with your own 4×4 rental vehicle

“HEAVY OFFROAD” KAOKOLAND TOUR

Experience pure adventure on the “Heavy Offroad” Kaokoland Tour as you explore the dramatic landscapes of Damaraland and Kaokoland!

The “Heavy Offroad” Kaokoland Tour
This expedition is not just another journey – it’s a challenge for the senses and a profound encounter with Namibia’s wild northwest.

Choose between a guided self-drive tour in convoy style or a comfortable ride as a passenger in the guide’s vehicle. Accommodation ranges from public campsites and remote wilderness camps to selected lodges – with optional lodge upgrades available on several nights.

Tour Highlights & Route
Our route takes you deep into the heart of Damaraland and Kaokoland – across long off-road tracks through dramatic desert landscapes, rocky valleys, and truly remote areas. The undisputed highlight: crossing the legendary Van Zyl’s Pass – one of the most spectacular and challenging off-road trails in Africa. But don’t worry – your experienced guide will lead you through every step, helping you confidently navigate even the toughest terrain. No prior off-road experience is necessary – all you need is a spirit of adventure!

Wilderness Meets Comfort
Even at our wild camps, you don’t need to go without basic comforts: enjoy a hot outdoor shower with a mobile shower cabin, a camp toilet, and hearty meals prepared by your guide over the campfire – true wilderness luxury. Get ready for an immersive nature experience filled with jaw-dropping scenery, fascinating geology, and – with a bit of luck – sightings of desert elephants, giraffes, antelope, black rhinos, and even lions.

Tour Dates
Tour Start: 28 September 2026 (meeting in the afternoon at Spitzkoppe)
Tour End: 8 October 2026 (farewell in the morning at Khowarib Lodge)

Tour Duration: Minimum 11 days
– 9 days guided off-road convoy through Kaokoland including Van Zyl’s Pass
– 2 individual self-drive travel days (pre- and post-tour – please plan at least 1 day each)

Pre- and post-tour extensions are available – we’re happy to advise you!

Pricing

Brief Itinerary

Good to Know

Detailed Itinerary

Route Kaokoland “Heavy Offroad”

Meeting with the guide and the tour group at Spitzkoppe.

Individual program before the start of the tour possible, or the guide can be accompanied on his journey from Windhoek to Spitzkoppe.

The meeting of all tour participants and the guide will take place this afternoon at one of the campsites of the Spitzkoppe Restcamp, where we will then set up our shared camp. In the evening, during a barbecue around the campfire, a short briefing will be held and the tour will be discussed in detail. Here we camp at the foot of the mighty Spitzkoppe and enjoy the night under the Namibian starry sky.

Dinner is included in the tour price, drinks are to be brought by each guest.

Tour start and introduction drive into off-road driving.

After a good night’s sleep in the rooftop tents and a delicious breakfast, our off-road adventure through the remote Damaraland begins. We travel in convoy towards Brandberg, the highest mountain in Namibia. On the first day of driving, you will get to know your vehicle on easy off-road tracks. All vehicles are connected via radio, allowing the guide to provide you with tips and tricks during the drive.

Rugged mountain ranges and steep slopes with dry valleys dominate Damaraland. With some of the most beautiful landscapes in Namibia, Damaraland is a realm of untouched wilderness where you can explore savannas, gorges, sandy slopes, and mountains. Observe the animals thriving in this barren place and braving the scorching heat.

Our beautiful wild camp is located near the massive Brandberg. A hill of large granite boulders provides shelter from the southwest wind, which often blows here in the afternoon. Enjoy the fantastic panorama over the barren desert plains with views of Namibia’s highest mountain. Our wild bush camp will have a mobile shower and a bush toilet. We will sleep in rooftop tents on the cars and enjoy a perfect night under the stars – without artificial lights that spoil the view of the starry sky. Dinner will be cooked over the campfire. Together, we will sit around the campfire and enjoy the tranquility of the desert.

As part of the tour package, breakfast, a picnic lunch, and dinner are provided, while drinks are not included and guests are welcome to bring their own.

We conquer a demanding canyon.

After a restful night in our tents, we’ll enjoy a delicious breakfast with a spectacular view that will start our day off right.

As we continue our journey north, we’ll traverse the fascinating desert landscapes of Damaraland. The first challenge of the tour awaits at the start of the day, where we’ll need to conquer one of the stoney canyons in the remote northwest of Namibia. However, with the guide at your side, providing guidance and support, you’ll be well-equipped to tackle this challenge with confidence.

The journey continues through beautiful plains and dry rivers, where you may have the opportunity to see some of the desert animals that thrive in this environment. Our second night will be spent in the deserted wilderness, where we’ll have the freedom to enjoy the beautiful wild camp surroundings. It’s an incredible opportunity to experience the natural beauty of Namibia up close and personal.

As part of the tour package, breakfast, a picnic lunch, and dinner are provided, while drinks are not included and guests are welcome to bring their own.

On the lookout for the desert elephants..

After a good night’s rest in our tents, we’ll enjoy a hearty breakfast before packing up our campsite and continuing the tour north. As we make our way through the river bed of the Huab River, keep an eye out for desert elephants. These magnificent animals are known to frequent the area, although we’ll always maintain a safe distance and observe them with care.

Parts of the route are driven on gravel roads that will eventually bring us to Palmwag. We’ll spend the night at the stunning Palmwag Lodge campsite, and if you’d like to upgrade to one of the lodge’s rooms, please let us know when booking the tour.

Nestled among tall palm trees on the banks of the dry Uanib River in Damaraland, north-western Namibia, Palmwag Lodge is one of the oldest and most popular tourist destinations in the country. It’s renowned for its stunning scenery, diverse desert wildlife, and unique opportunity to encounter the endangered black rhino.

In the evening, we’ll have dinner together at the lodge restaurant, where you can unwind and relax after a full day of adventure.

As part of the tour package, breakfast, a picnic lunch, and dinner are provided, while drinks are not included and guests are welcome to bring their own.

Experiencing the real Africa.

Today’s route takes us north over dusty gravel roads, where we’ll travel through communal land, experiencing the real Africa for the next few days. Along the way, we’ll pass small villages, some of which are home to various tribes. As always, it’s essential to drive carefully, watching out for cattle, small livestock, and even children on the side of the road.

About 30km before Opuwo, we’ll cross a hilly landscape where rare baobab trees grow. It’s worth stopping here to marvel at the sheer size of these majestic giants. Once we arrive in Opuwo, it’s crucial to fill up our vehicles and any additional canisters, as we’ll be facing about 900km of off-road driving before the next fuel stop. You can also stock up on any necessary supplies at the supermarket in Opuwo.

Our beautiful accommodation is situated high on a hill overlooking Opuwo. We plan to spend the night at the lodge’s campsite, but you also have the option of upgrading to one of the rooms. Please let us know when booking the tour if you’d like to take advantage of this option. In the evening, we’ll enjoy a joint dinner at the lodge restaurant, where you can unwind and enjoy a delicious meal after another full day of adventure.

Optional: Those who wish can visit a Himba village near Opuwo in the afternoon. Here you will learn a lot about this semi-nomad people, who still mostly live traditionally in the remote Kaokoland. Your guide will be happy to accompany you on this activity.

As part of the tour package, breakfast, a picnic lunch, and dinner are provided, while drinks are not included and guests are welcome to bring their own.

Drive to Van Zyls Pass.

Today we leave Opuwo and follow the gravel roads that take us past small Himba villages until we reach the charming village of Okangwati.

From here we continue on small, challenging tracks through the highlands of Kaokoland until we finally get to the point where the trail suddenly drops. The infamous van Zyls Pass slowly leads us into the low-lying steppes of Kaokoland. But this breathtaking challenge awaits us tomorrow. For tonight we have chosen a wild camp very close to the pass to prepare for the task ahead.

As part of the tour package, breakfast, a picnic lunch, and dinner are provided, while drinks are not included and guests are welcome to bring their own.

Two mountain passes have to be conquered.

We’ll need the entire morning to conquer the 10km long van Zyls Pass, a famous challenge that the guide will walk you through step by step, ensuring that you get through it safely and unscathed. By noon, we’ll reach the stunning Marien River, where we can take a break and enjoy a delicious lunch.

After lunch, we’ll take on another pass that will lead us to the Hartmann Mountains. There, we’ll set up our wild camp and review the day’s excitement with a cold beer or wine, taking in the breathtaking views around us.

As part of the tour package, breakfast, a picnic lunch, and dinner are provided, while drinks are not included and guests are welcome to bring their own.

The Hartmans Valley.

Today’s journey takes us south through the breathtaking Hartmans Valley, as we navigate small, mostly rocky slopes over the mountains and valleys of the stunning Kaokoland. There are several notable waypoints in this area, including the “Rooi Drom,” a red-painted barrel where we’ll turn towards Marble Camp. The challenging Rooi Drom Pass will take us to an abandoned marble mine where we can take a well-deserved rest.

Next, we’ll continue on a rocky path to the Khumib River, where we’ll drive a few kilometers before settling down for the night. Our rest camp will be set up on the dry river course of the Khumib district, under an ancient ancestral tree. Here, we’ll revel in the tranquility and freedom that nature offers us.

As part of the tour package, breakfast, a picnic lunch, and dinner are provided, while drinks are not included and guests are welcome to bring their own.

The fascinating dry rivers of the Kaokoland.

Today, we’ll be navigating various dry rivers throughout the day, primarily on sandy ground. After crossing the Khumib River, we’ll follow the breathtaking course of the Hoarusib Dry River, then drive over barren desert areas to the banks of the Hoanib River. These two rivers are the most fascinating dry rivers in Kaokoland and offer a chance to spot desert animals like giraffes, elephants, lions, and antelopes.

We’ll set up our last wild camp near the Hoanib River today and enjoy the serenity of this deserted world, taking in the stunning natural surroundings.

As part of the tour package, breakfast, a picnic lunch, and dinner are provided, while drinks are not included and guests are welcome to bring their own.

In search of the desert animals of Kaokoland.

Our journey takes us along the riverbed of the Hoanib for quite some time. These river courses are a lifeline in the desert, providing food and water for the desert animals that call this area home. You can expect to see desert elephants, giraffes, big cats such as lions, leopards, and cheetahs, as well as various types of antelope such as oryx, kudu, and springbok. Zebras and ostriches are also commonly spotted.

In the afternoon, we’ll leave the Hoanib and travel through dusty areas, passing through the village of Sesfontein, and eventually arrive at our beautiful campsite, located at Khowarib Lodge.

Khowarib Lodge is situated directly on the Hoanib River, where the river flows through a narrow gorge known as Khowarib. We’ll spend the night at the lodge’s campsite, and those interested in an upgrade can choose to spend the night in one of the lodge’s rooms (please inform us when registering for the tour).

We’ll enjoy dinner together in the lodge restaurant, and as always, breakfast, a picnic lunch, and dinner are included in the tour price while guests provide their own drinks.

The guide leaves you today.

As the tour comes to a close, we enjoy a final breakfast together before everyone goes their separate ways. If you would like, you are welcome to accompany the guide on their return journey to Windhoek.

If you wish to extend your trip, we would be delighted to help plan and book your additional program.

Breakfast is included in the tour price.