With landscapes ranging from the orange dunes of the Kalahari in the east, the Namib in the west and the desolate expanses of the Kaokoveld in the north west, there are numerous opportunities in Namibia to explore off-the-beaten-track destinations.
A good option close to Windhoek is the Isabis Trail, one of the most scenic of Namibia's four-wheel-drive trails. It is not very taxing and is comfortably completed in a day, although a minimum of two nights at the campsite is recommended. Also not particularly taxing and taking around two hours to complete, is the Kalahari Bush Breaks Trail, which is undertaken from the Kalahari Bush Breaks Lodge.
It is, however, in the more remote regions of the country that serious 4x4 enthusiasts are challenged to the full.
Trails in the remote northern areas With its landscape of rugged mountains, sandy plains and expanses littered with reddish-brown rocks, Kaokoland in north-western Namibia is perfect terrain for the do-it-yourself 4x4 traveller. Keep in mind, however, that on some tracks the average speed is little more than 10 km/h.
Well-known destinations in Kaokoland include the breathtaking Epupa Falls on the Kunene River, the Marienfluss and Hartmann valleys, the Himba settlement of Purros and the Ongongo Pools. The Palmwag concession area is renowned for its sightings of desert-dwelling elephant and black rhino.
Bordering on Botswana to the east, the Khaudum Game Reserve is characterised by deep Kalahari sand and is traversed by a network of game-viewing tracks. The park has basic wood and thatch shelters and campsites with fireplaces, hot-water showers and toilets at Sikeretti in the south and Khaudum in the north. Groups must consist of a minimum of two vehicles and sufficient fuel should be carried to cover a distance of at least 700–800 km between Grootfontein and Divundu or Rundu.
Trails in the Namib-Naukluft Park The Topnaar 4x4 Trail has been developed as a joint venture between the Topnaar community and URI Adventures and is conducted in the previously restricted area formerly known as Diamond Area No 2. It starts at the Homeb Campsite on the bank of the Kuiseb River in the Namib-Naukluft Park and leads through the Homeb Plains to Lauberville and Sandwich Harbour, ending in Walvis Bay. An extra day can be included to visit Conception Bay with its rich bird life, seal colonies and shipwrecks such as the famous Eduard Bohlen.
The 73-km-long self-guided Naukluft 4x4 Trail is regarded as the most difficult of its kind in Namibia. It takes two days to complete and the overnight camp can accommodate 16 people. Groups may not consist of more than four vehicles and participants must provide their own food, camping gear, firewood and spare parts.
Trails in the Henties Bay environs The Brandberg-West 4x4 Route heads from Henties Bay eastwards across the flat Namib plains, runs down a tributary of the Ugab River along the Brandberg-West mountains west of the Brandberg Mountain massif and eventually reaches the Ugab River Camp (Rhino Camp). On the return route to Henties Bay a visit to Cape Cross to see the Cape fur seals is highly recommended.
The Omaruru River 4x4 Route follows the D1918 to Spitzkoppe, heads in a south-westerly direction and enters the Omaruru River at Lęwater. The sand in the riverbed is thick and driving is difficult. This trip should not be done during the rainy season (November to April).
For the Welwitschia 4x4 Route take the D2303 to the Messum River where some of the biggest and best-preserved specimens of welwitschia grow. The three-day Doros Crater 4x4 Route is unmarked and requires a GPS. It passes through one of the more remote areas of north-western Damaraland and should be undertaken only by experienced 4x4 drivers, preferably in the company of other experienced drivers. The Messum Crater 4x4 Route follows the C34 in a northern direction, turns inland 2 km north of the Cape Cross turnoff and is good for viewing lichen fields and welwitschias.
The Central Damaraland Minerals Trail, which introduces visitors to some of the wonders of the geology of the Namib Desert, needs to be done in the company of at least one other vehicle or using the services of local tour guides. The Salt Mine Route centres around an old salt mine south east of Henties Bay. The man-made saltpans are still clearly visible, but you must drive around them as they are very porous and vehicles easily become bogged down. The Ugab Menhir 4x4 Route follows dry watercourses, the Menhir being an enormous solitary rock, about the height of a man, conspicuous in the stark desert landscape of desert plains and interesting rock formations. Henties Bay Tourism Office info@hentiesbaytourism.com www.hentiesbaytourism.com
