Namibia/Damaraland/Kaokoland - August and September 2025

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Søren Bo Poulsen

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Jan 14, 2025, 12:21:27 PM1/14/25
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Dear All,
We are a couple planning a self-drive tour through Damaraland and Kaokoland Namibia from August 24th to September 22nd, 2025. We are interested in staying at your campsite in Purros and visiting the following locations:
  1. Spitzkoppe
  2. Brandberg (with a stay at White Lady Lodge)
  3. Twyfelfontein (we haven't selected a campsite yet)
  4. Warmguelle (possibly staying at Ongongo Waterfall Campsite, but we're aware that water might be limited in September)
  5. Purros for a few days (Puros Bush Lodge and Camp)
  6. Sesfontein
  7. Then to Opuwo to restock
  8. After Opuwo to Epupa
  9. From Epupa by D3700 to Rucana

We are flexible on the itinerary and would like your information for the final planning on the following:
  • Campsites: Are there any other recommended campsites along our route?
  • Travel time: How long should we expect to travel between each location?
  • Shopping and fuel options: Where can we find fuel and basic supplies along the way?
  • "Wild camping": Do you offer a "wild camping" option with a guide, as we are interested in experiencing the remote areas?
  • D3700 route: Is it feasible to travel from Epupa to Rucana in one day in September, or would it be better to split it into two days?
We would also love to connect with other travellers who will be in the area during this time. If you have any recommendations or contacts, we would be grateful.

Thank you in advance for your time and assistance.

Regards,
Søren Bo Poulsen

L B

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Jan 14, 2025, 12:52:16 PM1/14/25
to Søren Bo Poulsen, tracks...@googlegroups.com
Hello Soren,

Not sure how much time you have but a potential, and beautiful, detour could take you through the Palmwag Concession via the Crowther Trail looping back to Warmquelle along the Hoanib riverbed. You will have a chance to do some wild camping along Crowther in a moonlike desolate landscape dotted with conical volcanoes. The picturesque Hoanib is a not to miss drive. Plus the old Elephant Camp has been fixed and is up and running again. We drove this route in 2017 when the Elephant Song Camp was in disarray but the Hoanib and the wild camping along the Crowther Trail were one of the highlights of our safari. Good elephant viewing along the riverbed as well.

We were short on time and did the trail in two days. We didn't find it difficult from a technical driving side and did not see any lions.

Yes, it is truly amazing!

This is where we camped.



Good luck with your adventure.

Best,
Lev



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Lizette Swart

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Jan 15, 2025, 6:02:40 AM1/15/25
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Hallo Soren,

Very nice trip, it is a part of Namibia still relatively unknown to me.

Jy kan use the T4A trip planner, to work out your routes and determine travel times: https://map.tracks4africa.co.za/map - there is a blog here on how to use it: https://blog.tracks4africa.co.za/the-tracks4africa-online-trip-planner-in-beta/

You can also turn on the icons for camping on the right hand side, and you will see all the campsites along your routes. The ones you mentioned above are great. You can also see where the shopping and refueling points are, by turning on those icons. 

At Twyfelfontein there are no camping options nearby - if you feel like a night of luxury, the Twyfelfontein Country Lodge is a lovely setting and you can join them on a game drive. They have a fuel stop there - just call ahead and ask if they do have fuel rather than rely on filling your tanks here, I always just top up here but in 2021 (my last visit) they had plenty of fuel. 

If you only want to camp, the Aba-Huab Community Camp is the nearest - I've found them quite busy with Overlanding Trucks (huge groups) in the past, but I don't know what it is like now. Else I've camped at Aabadi Mountain Camp, about 45minutes away from the rock carvings - basic campsite but in a lovely setting, with peace and quiet. Be prepared for the tabby cat that will hang around looking for scraps. There is also Mowani Mountain Camp which is a lot more upmarket - I've never stayed here.

Presuming you are going to camp at Epupa Falls Lodge  (green with envy, still on the bucket list!) - speak to them about the D3700. In September it should be very dry and easy enough to travel, depending on how heavy the rain is now (lots of rain north of South Africa at the moment).

Namibia does not allow "wild camping" - most of the remote areas are divided into concession areas, where the local community earns a living from tourism. It would be best to speak to these concession areas (tough to get hold of) or a nearby lodge about assisting with a wild camping experience. Our trip planner should also indicate where the concession areas are, but if you are stuck, let me know and I will see if I can help.

Enjoy!


Regards/Groete

Lizette

Lizette Swart



Bobby Stodel

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Jan 15, 2025, 6:18:08 AM1/15/25
to Lizette Swart, Søren Bo Poulsen, tracks...@googlegroups.com

Mowani Mountain Camp has spectacular camp sites nestled in the rocks

 

Bobby Stodel

Hannes Thirion

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Jan 15, 2025, 2:21:51 PM1/15/25
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Søren,
We are also in the planning phase of a Kaokoland and Damaraland trip.  
We have not decided on a date yet.
May I ask why you decided on August and September for your trip?
I will follow your planning and updates with interest.
Kind regards
Hannes Thirion






Steve and Nicole Charnon

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Jan 15, 2025, 5:11:38 PM1/15/25
to Hannes Thirion, Tracks4Africa Forum
Hello Soren,

Your trip sounds excellent.

I second Lev’s Hoanib recommendations.  We thought Elephant Song Community Camp and the Hoanib River was a special place (June 2024).  In 2024, Tracks and Trails handled reservations for Elephant Song :  reserv...@namibia-tracks-and-trails.com.  Magnes is the camp host, please see the attached photo for his contact info and services offered.  

We did self-drive day day trips along the Hoanib and did not use any of Magnes’ guiding services, however, he has been in the area for years and from our conversations and interactions with Magnes while staying at Elephant Song, I would highly recommend him.  A genuinely nice person, professional, and he keeps Elephant Camp tidy.    

Opuwo -  We camped at Opuwo Country Lodge for our resupply stops.  T4A description is accurate https://tracks4africa.co.za/listings/item/w140994/opuwo-country-lodge-campsite/. Picnic tables were shaded.  The lodge restaurant is available to campers, along with the pool area.  Bring earplugs, noise and music from Opuwo moves up the hillside; it isn’t bad but be aware.  Great spot for resupply.

Etaambura Camp is an incredible place to stay, albeit much more expensive and luxurious than camping.  Well positioned to/from the northern valleys.  Marble Mine Community camp is nearby, but we did not look at their facilities.  

D3703 - rough track between Opuwo and Otmenje, slow going, long days drive.

Another option to consider:

From Brandberg, head to the coast and then up to the Skeleton Coast NP - highlights being the coast itself, Cape Cross Seal Reserve and Terrace Bay (T-Bay = lodging only, no camping, fuel possible, this is the farthest north you can go without booking a trip with a company that has concession access). Go back south along the coast to Tora bay and head back inland.  
 

All the best and have fun!

Steve Charnon

3A17941C-D144-459A-8501-EE063519F1DC_1_105_c.jpeg


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