Namibia 4×4 Trails
Aussenkehr Nature Trails (Quiver Tree Forest Trail) & (German Outpost Trail)
Closest Town/s: Noordoewer, 49 km
Grade (1 – 5): 1 – 2
Type of Terrain: Sand, Dunes
Distance: More than 100 km
Driving Time (estimated): 1 – 3 Days
Contact: Entry permits are obtainable from the Aussenkehr Spar
Telephone: +264(0)63 297 094 / +264(0)81 227 9180 / +264(0)81 438 9606
Email: n/a
GPS: -28.360395, 17.410275 (Permits @ Spar) / Quiver Tree Forest Trail / German Outpost Trail
Website: tracks4africa.co.za/aussenkehr-nature-reserve
BüllsPort Lodge & Farm
Closest Town/s: Rietoog, 50 km
Grade (1 – 5): 2 – 3
Type of Terrain: Rocky, Desert Sands
Distance (total):
Driving Time (estimated): 5 Hours
Contact: Receptionist
Telephone: +264 06 369 3371
Email: info@buellsport.com
GPS: -24.14882388, 16.363140803
Website: https://buellsport-naukluft.com/en/experiences/
Desert Explorers Adventure Centre
Closest Town/s: Swakopmund, 20 km
Grade (1 – 5): Various 1 – 5
Type of Terrain: Sand and more sand
Distance: Various
Driving Time (estimated): Various
Contact: Desert Explorers Reception
Telephone: +264 (0)81 124 1386 / +264 (0)81 129 2380
Email: info@namibiadesertexplorers.com
Website: www.namibiadesertexplorers.com
Elisenheim 4×4 Trails
Closest Town/s: Windhoek, 15 km
Grade (1 – 5): 3 – 4
Type of Terrain: Rocky, Sand Dunes, Desert Terrain
Distance: 25 km
Driving Time (estimated): 3 – 5 Hours
Contact: Andreas & Christina Werner
Telephone: +264 81 124 4373 / +264 61 264 429
Email: elisenheimgf@afol.com.na
Website: www.natron.net
Isabis 4×4 Trails
Closest Town/s: Windhoek, 130 km
Grade (1 – 5): 1 – 3
Type of Terrain: Canyon Gorges, Desert Sands, River Crossing
Distance: 16 – 40 km
Driving Time (estimated): 3 – 8 Hours
Contact: Joachim Cranz
Telephone: +264 81 124 5588 /
Email: info@isabis4x4.com
Website: www.isabis4x4.com
Kalahari Bush Breaks
Closest Town/s: Gobais, 85 km
Grade (1 – 5): 1 – 3
Type of Terrain: Game / Scenic Drive, White Kalahari Sands
Distance (total): 20 km
Driving Time (estimated): 2 – 5 Hours
Contact: Ronnie & Elsaie Barnard
Telephone: +264 64 464 144
Email: logufa@africaonline.com.na
Website: www.kalaharibushbreaks.com
Klein Aus Vista Trail
Closest Town/s: Aus, 2 km
Grade (1 – 5):
Type of Terrain:
Distance:
Driving Time (estimated):
Contact:
Telephone: +264 06 325 8021
Email: info@klein-aus-vista.com
Website: http://www.klein-aus-vista.com/
NamibRand Family Hideout
Closest Town/s: Sossusvlei, 110 km
Grade (1 – 5): 1 – 2
Type of Terrain: Grassy, Sand Dunes, Scenic Drive
Distance: 13 km
Driving Time (estimated): 2 Hours
Contact: Andreas and Mandy Brückner
Telephone: +264 81 1272957 /+264 61 226803
Email: ambruck@mweb.co.na
Website: http://www.nrfhideout.com/
Koichab Dune Trail
Closest Town/s: Luderitz, 11 km
Grade (1 – 5): 2 – 3
Type of Terrain: Sand Dunes, Rocky, Mountainous Terrain, Scenic Drive
Distance: 280 km
Driving Time (estimated): 8 – 10 Hours
Contact: Butch
Telephone: +264 81 128 8050
Email: buchtbookings@gmail.com
Website: n/a
Naukluft 4×4 Trails
Closest Town/s: Sossusvlei, 13 km
Grade (1 – 5):
Type of Terrain: Rocky, Sand, Mountain, Plateau, Nature/Scenic Drive
Distance: 73 Km
Driving Time (estimated): n/a
Contact: Madeleine Cronje
Telephone: 021 422 3761
Email: n/a
Website: www.namibweb.com/n4x4trail.htm
Norotshama River Resort
Closest Town/s: Noordoewer, 50 Km
Grade (1 – 5): 1 – 3
Type of Terrain: Canyon, Rocky, Desert,
Distance (total): n/a
Driving Time (estimated): n/a
Contact: Wynand van Zyl
Telephone: +264 81 128 6247 / 264 63 297 2156
Email: norotshama@africaonline.com.na
Website: http://norotshamaresort.com/
Oanob Nature Trail
Closest Town/s: Rehoboth, 10 Km
Grade (1 – 5): 2 – 3
Type of Terrain: Game / Scenic Drive, Grassy
Distance: n/a
Driving Time (estimated):
Contact: Chris Benade
Telephone: 00264 81 124 0874 / 00264 62 522 370
Email: reservations@oanob.com.na
Website: www.oanob.com.na
Okahandja roete
Closest Town/s: Okahandja, 15 Km
Grade (1 – 5): 3 – 4
Type of Terrain: Mountain, Gorge, Rocky
Distance: 25 Km
Driving Time (estimated): 2 – 4 Hours
Contact: n/a
Telephone: 00264 61 234 607
Email: n/a
Website: n/a
Sandtracks Guided Dune Trails
Closest Town/s: n/a
Grade (1 – 5): 1 – 2
Type of Terrain: Scenic Drive, Dunes, Desert Sand
Distance: n/a
Driving Time (estimated): n/a
Contact: Louis & Piet Reichert
Telephone: 002 648 1124 1839
Email: n/a
Website: n/a
More Namibia 4×4 Trails:
- Canyon Adventure Guest Farm
- Faces of the Desert
- Hentiesbaai 4×4 Trail
- Karas Mountain 4×4
- Namib Rest Camp 4×4
-
Four Wheel Drive trails in Namibia
While Southern Africa has some of the toughest off-road trails in the world, Namibia has the largest number of trails that can only be followed with the aid of maps and GPS devices. In fact, in some places, trails completely disappear in the greater desert, and successfully completing these trails depends on navigation skills as much as on technical driving ability. These trails are not for the faint hearted, and maps on which GPS waypoints are marked are required, as is your own camping and recovery gear, water, food, and as many spare tyres as you have room for. Moreover, to prevent the distinct possibility of getting lost on these wilderness trails, it is essential to let someone know which direction you are heading in, and most importantly, when you will be back.
In addition, always bear in mind that Namibia is criss-crossed with dry riverbeds, gulleys, and other watercourses that can (and often do), turn into raging torrents during flash floods in the wet season so do not camp in them, and avoid driving in any watercourse during rain.
Namib-Naukluft 4×4 Trail
The fact that this relatively short (73 kms)-long trail requires a minimum of two days to complete is eloquent proof of its challenging nature. Stretching northwards from Luderitz through the spectacular Namib Naukluft Park, this self-drive route over ridiculously steep, rocky gradients is widely regarded as one of the toughest self-drive routes in the world today.
This trail covers sharp rocks, steep gradients, and thick sand. You need to be highly skilled in technical driving to prevent vehicle damage and/or personal injury. Wide, soft-walled sand or mud tyres are not recommended because of the many sharp rocks on the narrow, mountainous trail, and you need to have a good supply of recovery gear, spare parts, and several spare wheels as well. In addition, you must bring all your food, water, firewood, and camping gear, since the campsite on this trail is very basic, consisting of A-frame shelters fitted with bunk beds. Only 16 persons in a maximum of four vehicles are allowed on the trail at any one time, and reservations to traverse this trail should be made at least eight weeks in advance.
Isabis 4×4 Trail
Located in the Gamsberg area, this trail is suitable for novice drivers, and can be completed in less than a day. There are no seriously challenging obstacles, but the area is extremely scenic, which is ample compensation for the lack of difficult obstacles. However, you must be self-sufficient in food, water, camping gear, spare parts, and other supplies. The trail boasts a campsite with toilets and a shower, but only one group with a maximum of four vehicles at a time are allowed on the trail.
Omaruru 4×4 Trail
This 270 km-long route, in the Henties Bay area, mainly follows the course of the Omaruru River, and much of the trail is driven in the dry riverbed over thick sand, so make point of bringing extra fuel, and a GPS, since some sections of the route are unmarked. The main attraction of this route lays in the spectacular sandstone formations on the way, such as the 1,784 meter-high Spitzkoppe, and Skoenklip, a gigantic boulder in the shape of a shoe- hence the name.
NOTE:
Do not attempt this trail during the rainy season- the dry riverbed can turn into a raging torrent in a matter of minutes during thundershowers, and it is not always possible to escape the floodwater in time. The month of May is the best time to attempt this route because this time marks the end of the rainy season, and rain is thus very unlikely at this time.
The Dorsland Trek 4X4 Route
This epic, 2000 km-long self-guided route closely follows the route of the Dorsland Trekkers from the Marico area in South Africa, to end at Humpata in Angola. In 1878, several pioneer families attempted to relocate to greener pastures, so to speak, and many died in the attempt. This modern recreation of the attempt leads through a large part of Namibia, and in parts follows the actual Dorsland Trek route through one of the most remote and inhospitable areas in Namibia- Kaokoland, which has landscapes that are as awe-inspiring as any you are likely to find anywhere in the world.
The route requires a minimum of eight days, and takes you past the dramatic and spectacular Epupa Falls, through the Mahango Game Reserve, across the Omuramba Omatako River, as well as through much of the world famous Etosha National Park. This route has it all: thick sand, deep mud, steep, and rocky gradients and is therefore NOT recommended for novice drivers or softroaders. It is also best to attempt this route with more than one vehicle to carry enough fuel and supplies, including all food, water, camping and recovery gear, and several spare wheels/ tyres since supply points are few, and far between.
Kalahari-Namib Eco 4×4 Route
This is not exactly a “route”- it is more in the nature of a “Let’s See Where the Roads Lead”, kind of experience. The possible routes span both the Kalahari and Namib Deserts, and include dozens of off-road driving trails, routes, and experiences, with the imagination being the only limiting factor apart from the capabilities of drivers and their vehicles. Some of the sights and challenges in this region include the spectacular Small- and Great Karas Mountains, the Fish River Canyon, and between them, the Tiras Mountains and Ai-Ais. The entire region offers 4×4 trips through game-rich Parks and Reserves, past great campsites, and through some of the most jaw-dropping scenery in all of Africa. Allow at least ten days to cover this area.
The few examples of the type of off-road driving opportunities in Namibia that are listed here are but a small fraction of the total available to the off-road tourist in Namibia, and it is no exaggeration to say that after the Western Cape, Namibia has the most, and certainly the most challenging, off-road driving conditions on the African Continent. However, while off-road tourism in Namibia is favoured by the fact that less than 10% of the roads in Namibia are paved, it would be a mistake to assume that off-road driving in Namibia is always easy and/or safe.
While there are many clearly marked and demarcated gravel roads in Namibia, many roads are not so clearly marked. Roads that start off well often fizzle out in the desert areas, and without GPS devices, good paper maps, above average navigation skills, and most importantly, a means of maintaining contact with the outside world, the off-road tourist in Namibia can find himself in very serious difficulties.
Large parts of Namibia have no cell phone coverage, which means that should your off-road driving adventure be interrupted because of vehicle breakdowns, being lost, or worse, personal injury, you could be dead in three days or less if you do not have sufficient water, or a means to summon assistance. Of course, all experienced off-road tourists know all of this, but if you are new to off-road tourism, and especially off-road tourism in Namibia, play it safe by always carrying at least five litres of water per person per day, a satellite phone with spare batteries, current road maps, two GPS devices that are NOT supported by Smartphone technology, and always making sure someone knows where you are at all times.
Namibia is a spectacular off-road tourism destination but it is utterly unforgiving of mistakes in planning and lack of being prepared, so stick to the basics; plan your routes properly, carry enough water, do not attempt routes and obstacles you and your vehicle are not able to deal with, and tell people where you are going, and when you could be expected back. This way, you get to enjoy everything this great country has to offer, and no one has to spend several days looking for you because you did not tell anyone where you were going, or were not prepared for what you might find. More on Namibia Tourism for the Off-road Traveler >>
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