Our five best walking experiences in Namibia & bonus

Walking in Erongo Mountains

Best walking trails / tours in Namibia?

It´s hard to rank our best walking experiences in Namibia. We tend to like all the activities we book, and we like new challenges. However, based on five times in Namibia for 4-5 weeks every time, this is our “top five walking experiences in Namibia" (you are free to share links). 

The two first are shared number ones:

• Etendeka Overnight Walking Trail

Etendeka Overnight Walking Trail

Etendeka Overnight Walking Trail,
Crystal Mountain Camp

We trekked through one of Namibia’s most remote and untouched landscapes on foot in 2019. Had sundowners overlooking never ending vistas of ancient rock formations and slept under a blanket of amazing stars. This was a unique opportunity to connect with nature. Especially Crystal Mountain Camp, we found to be one of the most incredible places we have ever stayed. The only thing we would do different next time: Stay out an extra night at Crystal Mountain (3 night’s tour instead of 2). 

Read our full Etendeka Overnight Walking Trail report here: https://recollectionsafrica.blogspot.com/2019/08/etendeka-overnight-walking-trail.html ).

Also, read our description of the Etendeka Plateau, an unique hauntingly beautiful desolate landscape here: https://recollectionsafrica.blogspot.com/2019/08/etendeka-plateau-unique-hauntingly.html 

• Walking in Mundulea Private Reserve

Walking safari,
Mundulea Private Reserve

Mundulea, our tent

We did this walk 14 days ago. We walked for three days (3 nights) with the owner and specialist guide Bruno. He was an absolute extraordinary person with extreme knowledge about the nature. He literally knows all about plants, animals, insects, minerals, landscaping etc, and he is involved in multiple research projects and nature activities. Also, he has served as a photographer for National Geographic.  Our camp had the outline of a “kraal”; a fence of wooden sticks provide some protection against predators during night. We slept in simple – but fully adequate – tents with mosquito nets and an open bathroom. We checked the floor for snakes and scorpions, whenever we stepped out of our bed or entered the open-air bathroom. Our shoes were placed on hangers under the roof and bags kept zipped on tables all time. Nevertheless, we felt completely safe in this small paradise. Or as Bruno expressed it “Don´t mind all the sounds during the night, you are safe in your tent".  Every day, we did two daily walks 2-5 hours with Bruno as an extraordinary source of nature information.

Read our full Mundulea report here: https://recollectionsafrica.blogspot.com/2022/10/did-you-see-leopard.html

Read our story about “the tiger” a Mundulea here: https://recollectionsafrica.blogspot.com/2022/10/a-tiger-tiger-tiger.html

Now for the shared number two:

•  Tok Tokkie Trails in Namibrand Nature Reserve

Open air bedroom, Tok Tokkie Trails

This was a three days (2 nights) walking experience in stunning Namibrand Nature Reserve. We were exposed to extreme temperatures, but also to truly spectacular nature and an overwhelming night sky. We covered approx. 20 km in Namibrand Nature Reserve on foot and slept in open air. Wherever we looked around, we were surrounded by red / brown mountains and desert plains.

Read our full report on Tok Tokkie Trails here: https://recollectionsafrica.blogspot.com/2022/11/tok-tokkie-trails-namib-desert.html )

•  Walking with Bushmen i Kalahari Desert near Tsumkwe

Our son, Central Kalahari 2012,
(did not have 2009 photos at hand)

We stayed at Nhoma village for 2 nights in 2009 together with our children, at that time 9 and 10 years old. This is still one of our most memorable experiences in Namibia, especially doing it together with our children. We walked through Kalahari Desert with the bushmen for up to 7 hours per day and visited their nearby village. Our children learned how to make fire, make bird traps (and did catch birds!), catch a porcupine, and how to get honey from a hollow tree etc. The children played with the children in Nhoma village, and we all participated in games and dances in the evening. At the same time, we slept in nice and comfortable surroundings in Nhoma Safari Camp.

I heard there is new owners now, but from the homepage, it seems to be the same concept. Might not be an experience for everyone, especially if you don´t like to interact.

Link to Nhoma Safari Camp homepage https://www.nhomasafaricamp.com/

Least but not last:

• Quivertree George Trail / Arch Trail in Naukluft mountains

Quivertree George Trail

Quivertree George Trail, klipspringer

Rock Arch

We headed for the Quivertree George Walking Trail from BullsPort Lodge & Farmhouse. At the end of the day, this turned out to be one of the most fantastic trails we have hiked in Africa so far! Perhaps only surpassed by the "Etendeka Overnight Walking Trail" (see above) and our recent 3 days walking safari in Mundulea Private Reserve (see above). However, they were both several-days walking experiences, whereas Quivertree George Trail is a 5-7 hours tour. Next day, we took the “Arch trail”, truly magnificent! 

There are many good walking trails starting from BullsPort Lodge & Farmhouse, where we had our comfortable base and enjoyed extraordinary hospitality from the owners and genuine friendly staff.

Read our full report Quivertree George Trail here: https://recollectionsafrica.blogspot.com/2022/10/quivertree-gorge-trail-excellent-route.html ) 

Finally, two recommended experiences outside Namibia:

Chimanimani Mountains, Zimbabwe 1997

• Another amazing experience was to trek through the Chimanimani Mountains in Zimbabwe 1997  – but that is not Namibia
•  And walking alone in the untouched tropical rainforest of Nyungwe National Park in Rwanda for two days (take a guide!! - but that is another story)

 Link to https://www.nyungweforestnationalpark.org/untouched-tropical-rainforest/

Tok Tokkie Trails & Namib desert

Bedroom Tok Tokkie Trails

We arrive at the Tok Tokkie reception after some wonderful days around BullsPort Lodge & Farmhouse (link). When we look around, we are surrounded by mountains in all directions. We are in the Namibrand Nature Reserve, which is located in the Namib Desert. This should be the largest desert in the world?! It´s 2000 km in length and 100 km in width, and it only receives 100 mm rain per year, although some years no rain at all. It´s also supposed to be the oldest desert in the world (however that is determined?).

The next 3 days (2 nights), we expect extreme temperatures and spectacular nature when we cover approx. 20 km on foot. We come well prepared, first thanks to a very experienced guide who has done this tour numerous times, but also thanks to high factor sunscreen, good walking boots, lots of water, and a positive attitude. 

Tok Tokkie Trails, view desert

Before heading into the desert, we visit a place called “NaDEET Centre” which focus on sustainable living. The centre was awarded with the UNESCO price in 2018 for their extraordinary work teaching Namibian schoolchildren how to save the sparse resources. It´s an extraordinary place and worth a visit.   

NaDEET Centre, Tok Tokkie Trails

Late afternoon, we leave the Tok Tokkie reception. We have about 1,5 hour walk for our first overnight camp, the “Horseshoe Camp”. We drive to the starting point, eight persons in total. Beside my wife and I, a couple from Switzerland and two couples from France. All wonderful people. During the whole 3 days (2 nights) trip, our experienced guide Sebastian shows us big and small things in the desert; plants, animals, insects, tracks, etc. A bit like our tour at Etendeka Overnight Walking Trail (link) although more sand and less stones.

On the way to the starting point, Tok Tokkie Trails

The surroundings are magnificent. Red sand everywhere, with scattered trees and mountains in the distance. We line up one behind the other when we climb dunes in the heath.

Landscape, Tok Tokkie Trails

When we reach Horseshoe Camp, the table is set for dinner!

 Set for dinner, Tok Tokkie Trails

We are shown our “open AirB&B bedroom" in a private sand dune. We have two simple field beds with bedrolls. In addition, a bag of water serve as a sink as well as "racks" and "tables" to keep luggage above ground in consideration of snakes and scorpions.

Demonstration bedroom, Tok Tokkie Trails

Bedroom, Horseshoe Camp, Tok Tokkie Trails

Before dinner, we get the mandatory sundowner G&T with a view of the desert. The chef prepares our dinner, which is eaten under the starry sky to the sounds of the desert, especially geckos. We are lucky to have an unobstructed view of the starry sky and Milky Way.

Sebastian points out the Southern Cross, Jupiter and two galaxies. This is a UNESCO "dark sky" area with no disturbing light for several hundred kilometers around.

UNESCO "dark sky" area,
Tok Tokkie Trails

After dinner, we crawl into shelter in our lovely bedrolls, which consist of a waterproof bivouac cover with bedding inside. You lie comfortably protected, high above the ground. “Biological errands” are done at a nearby dry dump with an unobstructed view of the desert.

It is fantastic to sleep in the open air on the back with an unobstructed view of the starry sky. In this area, there are i.e. leopards and hyenas, but luckily they keep their distance from humans (and we don't wander around at night)

The next morning, we are awakened with coffee at the bed (!) at 06.00. At 06.30, breakfast is ready. At 07.30, we venture into the desert towards a mountain pass.

Coffee at the bed, Tok Tokkie Trails 

View from bedroom, Tok Tokkie Trails

On our way 2nd day, Tok Tokkie Trails

Mountain pass, Tok Tokkie Trails

After approx. 4 hours, we reach our lunch and siesta place on the other side of the pass. Here, we enjoy a 4-hour break in the middle of the day, as it is too hot to hike at this time. All eight of us + guide sleep in in the comfortable deck chairs under a canvas, next to a large tree below a mountain range. One of the very few large trees we see on this part of the trip.

Siesta in middle of 2nd day, Tok Tokkie Trails

At the end of the day, the temperature has dropped to below 30C so we can walk the last 2 hours to “Dune Camp”. An equally enchanting camp in the middle of the red dunes. 

Tok Tokkie Trails, near 2nd camp

We have another delicious dinner, but now under cloudy sky with a few drops of rain - a very rare event in the Namib Desert. 

Before dinner, we take a bath in the primitive shower cabin with "bucket shower" and unobstructed view of an Oryx passing by. An assistant guide provides perfectly tempered water (!). This is truly luxury in the desert.

Bucket shover, Tok Tokkie Trails

We enjoy the time with the other guests. It is a privilege and pleasure to meet people from all over the world. We are encouraged to jump from dunes together while photo memories from Tok Tokkie are taken.

Tok Tokkie Trails group of 8 persons

The two of us ;-)

At night, we hear a herd of hyenas passing by. Sebastian is ready with a flashlight, so they avoid the
camp. We both sleep like babies...

Bedroom 2nd camp, Tok Tokkie Trails

Last day, approx. two hour walk back to reception through the red dunes. An adventurous trip is complete. We just manage to see a snake before the end of the trip, the "Namib Sand Snake". It´s harmless.

 "Namib Sand Snake" Tok Tokkie Trails

Tok Tokkie Trails comes with our best recommendation! Also, our guide Sebastian & helpers, our Chef Tiresa and the assistant guide Stefan.

Tok Tokkie Trails 2022