The rushing Kunene River, surrounded by scrubland, rocks and mountains, and the thunderous cascades of the Epupa Falls and the Ruacana Falls lie to the north of Kaokoland. The area is as beautiful as it is remote, with table topped mountains and open plains dotted with a few prominent rocks. The Epupa Falls has a number of drops, some falling a staggering 60 meters. These fall over a distance of 1.5 meters. Upstream, roughly 135 kilometres, you’ll come upon the Ruacana Falls. These falls reach a height of 120 meters and stretch 700 meters across.

The Marienfluss, a gentle valley filled with soft grass, is another must-see attraction while in Kaokoland. When the grass is thick, it covers the land in green and gold tufts while beyond the grass lies mountain ranges. This stunning natural wonder lies between the Otjihipa Mountains and the Hartmann Mountains, with sandy roads leading travellers through the ever-moving grassy savannah.

One of the many highlights of the Kaokoland Namibia Tour is Van Zyl’s Pass. It is the ultimate adventure challenge and only 4×4 vehicles can safely traverse the landscape. Generally, the track is travelled downhill (from east to west). The track, we can hardly call it a road, consists of sand and rocks.

Although Kaokoland is not the most populated area in Namibia, you will be passing a few villages inhabited by local tribes. One of the best-known tribes is the Himba. The Himba people are easy to identify, with their hair and bodies covered with clay. The tribe is nomadic and they travel from area to area with herds of cattle, something that you will have to be well aware of when driving. They live in traditional huts and they have various holy shrines in Kaokoland. It is important that you respect them and their traditions. When visiting Kaokoland, be eco-conscious, do no harm, and leave no trace.

Kaokoland is home to some of the most beautiful landscapes in the world. Of the wildlife you may fleetingly encounter, Gemsbok, Hartmann’s Mountain Zebra, Springbok and desert Elephants are some of the rare but heartrending sightings.

Namibia is an astonishing place to travel. With sandy deserts that stretch towards the horizon, waves of dunes that glint golden under the African sun (or take on a fierce red depending on the time of day), open plains with grass gently rising and falling to the wind, and cool coastlines and sparkling oceans, Namibia is its own kind of paradise. Cross Over Africa offers guests the perfect way to see this amazing land and experience the ultimate Namib Desert 4×4 tour.

Other information that you might find helpful has to do with the climate. Throughout the country, the climate is more or less the same, but keep in mind that this is a massive span of land and some places are guaranteed to be hotter/colder than others. To give you a basic idea of what to expect climate-wise, here is a breakdown of the climate on a month to month basis:

• December to March: High humidity and rain are quite normal during these hot summer months. You can also expect afternoon and evening thundershowers.
• April to May: These are considered to be the best months to visit Namibia. With plenty of greenery, clean air, and warm days. Although this is the high season, our tours will take you to quieter, more exclusive destinations.
• June to August: During this time of the year, the country is in the midst of winter and you can expect cool days and cold nights, especially if you are in the desert. Regardless of the cool temperatures, this remains the most popular time of the year to visit.
• September to October: The cold winter days are over and the air is warming up and filling with the first delicate smells of spring flowers.

Practical Information for Guided Namibia Safaris:

• Just like South Africa, England and Australia, drivers stay left and pass on the right when using any Namibian roads.
• The local currency is the Namibian Dollar, which is on par with the South African Rand with the exchange rate being the same.
• When looking for accommodation in Namibia, your best option is to camp. Camping sites are found all over the country.
• English is the main language spoken in Namibia, but you are also likely to hear Afrikaans and German spoken alongside the indigenous languages Wambo, Nama, and Damara.
• While you can drink tap water, you might not like the taste! And when camping in the wilderness, you will not find a tap (of course). The best thing to do is to buy bottled water.
• You should be aware that in certain seasons you could get malaria in the North East region.
• You are likely to need a visa when travelling to Namibia. Most visitors can apply for a free 90-day Visitor Visa when arriving at the borders.

Damaraland, much like Kaokoland, is situated in the north of Namibia. When travelling here, the first thing you notice is just how serenely quiet it is. The land is as still as it is vast. Rivers and streams cut through the mountains and create challenging mountain passes such as Van Zyl’s Pass, which can only be manoeuvred through with a powerful 4×4 vehicle. The Hoarusib and Hoanib Rivers, both of which flood during the rainy season, meander through the desert and when in flood bring life to an otherwise dry region.

To the south of Damaraland, you’ll find the Brandberg Mountains, one of the more famous attractions in the area.
These mountains are an adventure all on their own, with their ancient honeycombed caves and rock overhangs which are covered with bushman paintings making them a popular attraction. The Brandberg Mountains are the largest in Namibia and should you be a keen rock climber, time spent at Spitzkoppe exploring the cliff faces is a must.

While Damaraland is not itself a nature reserve, there are plenty of animals to be seen here. There are a few private nature reserves to spend a day or two, where you might catch a glimpse of elephant, rhino, lion, leopard, zebra, kudu, and giraffe. The animals tend to stay in the east of Damaraland, where there are more grazing opportunities.
Wildlife and amazing landscapes are not the only alluring qualities of Damaraland. There are a few historical and geologically important places that you have to visit. At Twyfelfontein, there are thousands of Bushman engravings which have been well taken care of over the years and there is also the Petrified Forest which is roughly 2.5 million years old. Other notable sights include the fascinating limestone finger known as the Vingerklip (finger rock) and a formation of dolomite columns known as the Organ Pipes. Damaraland is without a doubt every geological enthusiast’s dream destination!

It feels as though time stands still when you visit Damaraland. It’s the place to put away your phone, forget the world for a moment and just be one with the surrounding nature. This break from the busy world can leave you feeling as though each day is made up of more than 24 hours, and a tour here will bring some peace and tranquillity back into your soul. Damaraland is a great place to visit when you want to be reminded that there is so much more to life.

Some say that Damaraland is Namibia’s best-kept secret. And we agree. Allow us to introduce you to this slice of heaven by booking your tour with Cross Over Africa.

Information that you might find helpful when planning your trip to Namibia relates to the climate. It can help you to determine the best time of the year to travel.

• December to March: The humidity reaches boiling point and beautiful summer rainstorms can be enjoyed in various places across the country.
• April to May: These two months are easy contenders for the best time of the year to visit. The days are warm, the skies are sparkling and the rains have left lush vegetation in certain places.
• June to August: The days are cooler as the Southern Hemisphere is in the middle of winter. If you travel at this time of the year, be sure to pack enough warm clothing.
• September to October: Spring is in the air and the days are warming up. The nights can still be a little cool so you should still bring some warm clothing along.

Practical Information for Guided Namibia Safaris:

• Drivers stay on the left and pass on the right when driving on urban roads (off-road driving is often a different matter)
• The local currency is the Namibian Dollar. The exchange rate is the same as the South African Rand.
• Camping is often the best accommodation there is, especially when out in the wildness on tour.
• English is the most commonly spoken tongue in Namibia, but you’ll also hear German, Afrikaans, Wambo, Damara and Nama spoken.
• It is best to stick to bottled water when visiting. Although the tap water is quite safe, bottled water is more convenient.
• During certain times of the year, the north east of Namibia becomes a malaria zone.
• You will need a Visitor Visa when travelling to Namibia, and you can apply for a free, 90-day visa upon entry.