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12 days trekking and camping safari for 4 - 8 people

A tour that emphasizes walking and hiking to bring clients as closely as possible in touch with nature in Kaokoland.
Due to the high temperatures in summer, this program can only be offered from mid May till mid September. It is strongly recommended that participants have done long walks/hikes before they start the tour.

Day 1 You depart in a single engine Cessna 210 from Eros airport in Windhoek at lunch time and arrive in the Marienfluss valley between 15.00 and 16.00 hours. Your tour guide takes you to Camp Syncro where you will spend the first 2 nights. Here, under the big shady Ana trees it is easy to acclimatize and relax, to bring your mind in harmony with nature around you. A "sundowner" on the little hill from where you can overlook the Marienfluss valley as well as the Kunene river and a delicious dinner from the open fire will round off your first day.

Day 2 Experience has shown that people from abroad need to adapt to the conditions in this remote north-western part of Namibia. Therefore the day will be spent with some shorter walks to an Ovahimba village in the vicinity, along the river and/or up the hills to our "crocodile spot". You will also meet your trekking companions: the donkeys and their Himba guides.

Day 3 After an early breakfast, you set out to Otomongo. 16 km along the river, with magnificent scenery and good chances to watch birds, spot small reptiles and more crocodiles and see Kunene rapids. When we arrive at our destination for lunch, camp will have been put up already (big comfortable igloo tents with stretchers), and you can take off the hiking boots. In the afternoon, we visit a garnet mine where an extremely rare precious stone is taken out.

Day 4 Again an early breakfast and hiking through totally unspoilt landscapes. 12 km through the Hartmann mountains, the last 4 km again along the river, back to Otomongo. Everybody can try his luck on fishing in the afternoon and we might find some safe pools to go for a refreshing bath.

Day 5 Over the mountains, back to the rustic huts of Camp Syncro with the prospect of a relaxed afternoon in the cosy atmosphere of our camp. You can do some washing, reading, writing, bird watching - whatever you feel like doing, while the team prepares for the next six days out. (Should a group want to end the tour after this trekking part, there are different options to spend the last afternoon before departure in the morning of day 6).

Day 6 After breakfast we drive south through the Marienfluss valley. You will enjoy magnificent views and have the chance to encounter some game (springbok, ostrich, Oryx). We stop in the Okatapati area and do some rock climbing in the late afternoon.

Day 7 Even before breakfast we walk to a fountain, hidden away and inaccessible for cars. During the day we do more hiking and you will discover unique flora and enjoy magnificent views down the Marienfluss. By now you might also prefer to do away with the tent and sleep in the open, directly under the stars.

Day 8 Passing Red Drum, the route today leads west into the Namib desert. Somewhere in the dry riverbed of the Munutum we will put up camp for the night.

Day 9 Hiking in the sand dunes will give you insight in the ecosystem of the Namib.

Day 10 Driving through seemingly endless plains and impressive granite hills, we reach the Hartmann valley. At its exit we will stop for the night. Chances are good that during this day we will encounter the famous Hartmann zebras.

Day 11 We go back to Camp Syncro and you will have a last chance to meet and visit Ovahimba people.

Day 12 The day of departure and the flight back to Windhoek.

12 days Kaokoland tour

A camping safari which combines the highlights of Kaokoland to offer you all in one: Marienfluss, Hartmann valley, Kunene river, the Ovahimba, Namib desert and the game rich riverbed of the Hoanib with the famous desert elephants.

Day 1 Early morning you depart from Eros airport in Windhoek and fly for approximately 3 hours to the remote north-western corner of Namibia. With the sun rising fast, well known landmarks like Spitzkoppe, Brandberg and the Hoanib river can be identified from the air. Upon arrival we welcome you at Camp Syncro, our private camp under the big Ana trees, right on the banks of the Kunene. It is a peaceful and secluded site with a unique atmosphere, characterized by the constant rush of the river and the warbling of the mourning dove. During this first day the emphasis lies on encounters with the Ovahimba. You will learn about the peoples' traditions, their way of living and their problems in a rapidly changing environment. Respect, not curiosity and sufficient time, not the pressure of a tight schedule determine our meetings with the people of one of the last nomadic tribes in Africa. Depending on the whereabouts of the Himba, lunch will be served somewhere along the road or back in camp. Late afternoon we offer you a "sundowner" at a carefully selected spot from where you can enjoy magnificent views on the mountains, the plains and the river. Dinner is at Camp Syncro - we serve Namibian specialities from the open fire. During talks around the campfire, you learn about the history of the area, developments and threats, old stories and new dreams.

Day 2 Today we concentrate on the Marienfluss valley, a unique combination of river, mountain ranges and sandy plains. We take you for drives and walks and strolls to discover fauna and flora and to learn about the ecology of this sensitive area. You might meet with a herd of lively springbok or spot one of the big Kunene crocodiles. Hidden fountains, secret side valleys, a Ludwig's bustard, a bat-eared fox might as well be part of today's outings. For the "sundowner" we take you to our "crocodile spot". Dinner will again be served at the camp. The silence of a starlit night along the Kunene will remain an unforgettable memory.

Day 3 We leave the Marienfluss driving southwards out of the valley. Once again you will be fascinated by the magnificent landscape while springbok, Oryx antelopes and ostriches might cross our way. At Ondau, a small mountain with ruins of very old "strandlooper" huts, we stop for lunch. After we have passed "Red Drum", a famous landmark from the old times, we turn west into the dry bed of the river Engo. Here, at the entrance to the Hartmann valley, in the so-called Pro-Namib we get to our first camping place. Spacious igloo-tents, portable shower, toilet and cold drinks are waiting for you.

Day 4 Passing sand dunes and granite hills, we move into the Hartmann valley where we will set up camp today. There will be enough time for leisurely strolls but also for more serious walks - excellent opportunities to take in the atmosphere of the Hartmann valley and to experience the unique flora while climbing one of the many small hills or to discover some of the ancient structures which prove that there was human life many, many years ago. We hope to be able to show you the famous Hartmann zebras and Oryx antelopes which are called "gemsbok" by the Namibians.

Day 5 Even before breakfast we take you for a walk through the sand dunes, beautifully coloured by the rising sun. You will be introduced to particular aspects of the sensitive ecosystem of the desert. After a late breakfast - actually more a brunch - we leave the Hartmann valley and move into the Namib desert, where we stay overnight.

Day 6 Via Orupembe, the "place where the plains start", we travel through the impressive scenery of the gravel desert passing plants that are thousands of years old: Welwitschia mirabilis and visiting the Ogams fountain. At the "bear rock" we put up camp.

Day 7 Today we travel through the dry bed of the Khumib river into the bed of the Hoarusib, a big river that is called "the father of all rivers". At Purros, the local community runs a camp site nicely situated under old Camelthorn trees where we stay for the night. You will enjoy the running water and a refreshing shower.

Days 8 - 10 We travel into the game rich Hoanib, another of the dry river beds which became very famous because of the desert elephants. You will watch herds of springbok, Oryx and ostriches roaming through this magnificent area, you will meet with the elephants and we trust that we can even show you giraffes and rhinos in total freedom. These days in the Hoanib concentrate on the observation of game and will let you realize under which kind of extreme conditions animals manage to survive. The intensity of this experience, the encounters with game at very close range will grip you!

Day 11 Leaving the Hoanib, we travel towards Sesfontein, the "place of the six fountains". At the old German fort, we set up camp for the last time.

Day 12 After breakfast it is time to say good-bye. You have come to the end of an unforgettable authentic experience. The airplane will take you back to Windhoek Eros airport where you should land just before lunch.

6 days fly-in safari

The Marienfluss valley in the West Kaokoland is regarded as one of our earth's last pristine areas. Here we create the setting for a unique experience. We would like you to have your own individual adventure - in the total freedom of rugged and wild areas, yet with sufficient comforts to make you feel relaxed and at ease. The 6-day tour has been developed specifically for visitors who would like to escape the hectic rush of modern civilisation and decide on their own program day by day. Such absolute flexibility is granted by a well-experienced guide. Koos Verwey is a born and bred Namibian who speaks English, German, Afrikaans and some Otjiherero. Ten years of experience with the Marienfluss area and its people allows him to respond to the individual requests of his guests.
Early morning you depart from Eros airport in Windhoek and fly for approximately 3 hours to the remote north-western corner of Namibia. With the sun rising fast, well known landmarks like Spitzkoppe, Brandberg and the Hoanib river can be identified from the air.
The first three nights are spent in the central and southern part of the valley. You sleep on beds in comfortable igloo tents with portable shower and chemical toilet being provided. Every day towards sunset we offer you a "sundowner" at carefully selected spots with fantastic views. 
You might come across springbok, oryx antelopes and ostrich and - with some luck - even zebra and cheetah. You may go for relaxed strolls, longer hikes or more strenuous climbs up the mountains just as you desire. Whichever way you choose, you have a chance to directly experience the fragile ecosystem of a majestic landscape. Through interested observation some of the secrets of fauna, flora and geology will disclose themselves.
Your encounters with the Ovahimba are meetings rather than visits. Owing to the mutual trust that has developed over the years between Kaokohimba Safaris and the local communities you have the opportunity to directly observe the daily activities of the Ovahimba, feel part of their daily life and gain insight in their different living conditions. It is respect for these people and their culture, and not mere curiosity or the hectic rush of a tight schedule which determines the length of our encounters.
During talks around the campfire, you learn about the history of the area, developments and threats, old stories and new dreams...
Between the mountain ranges of Hartmann and Otjihipa mountains, we travel north on day 4 until we reach the Kunene river. Camp Syncro under the big Ana trees will be our resting-place for the last two nights. It is a peaceful and secluded site with a unique atmosphere, characterised by the constant rush of the river and the warbling of the mourning dove. 
From here we take you for scenic drives into the beautiful side valleys of the Marienfluss where you can visit an old garnet mine and the remains of age old settlements. You are also likely to spot one of the big Kunene crocodiles. Highlight of the last day will be a bath at the rapids where we know of a natural "Jacuzzi".
After breakfast on day 6 the airplane takes you back to Windhoek.

3 days fly-in tour

A wonderful opportunity to briefly escape the everyday life and spend three days at the Kunene and in the Marienfluss.

Day 1 You depart from Eros airport in Windhoek early morning and fly for approximately 3 hours towards the remote north-western part of Namibia. With the sun rising fast, well known landmarks like Spitzkoppe, Brandberg and the Hoanib river can be identified from the air. Having crossed the Zebra Mountains you approach the Epupa Falls, which have gained quite a bit of popularity recently owing to the plans of the Namibian Government to establish a hydropower scheme right there. The envisaged storage lake would cover the falls completely and also the lovely oasis of Makalani palms and Baobab trees surrounding them. Enjoy the - possibly final - view of the waterfalls, which are especially beautiful during the rainy season from the air. After that you will have yet another special experience: 20 minutes beautifully scenic flight all along the meandering Kunene river until you reach the sandy landing strip in the Marienfluss valley. Here we will be waiting to take you to Camp Syncro, right on the banks of the Kunene. It is a peaceful and secluded site with a unique atmosphere, characterised by the big Ana trees, the constant rush of the river and the warbling of the mourning dove.
Make yourselves comfortable in the little stone houses, have a refreshing cup of tea and then let us take you for a stroll over the hills to the "crocodile spot". From there one can frequently observe the crocodiles taking a sunbath and the colourful bee-eaters catching insects. 
After lunch there will be time for a siesta - most welcome after an early morning departure. 
In the afternoon we take you downstream to the Kunene rapids where you could go for a refreshing bath in a "natural jacuzzi" or - With some luck - spot one of the big crocodiles.
The "sundowner" will be offered at a carefully selected spot from where you can enjoy magnificent views on the mountain ranges, the sandy plains and the river. Dinner - Namibian specialities from the open fire - is back at the camp.
During talks around the campfire, you learn about the history of the area, developments and threats, old stories and new dreams...

Day 2 Today we concentrate on the Ovahimba, their traditions and their culture. We will take you for an extended visit to one of the Ovahimba villages in the area where you can watch them going about their daily tasks. You learn about their way of living and their problems in a rapidly changing environment. Respect, not curiosity and sufficient time, not the pressure of a tight schedule determine our meetings with the people of one of the last nomadic tribes in Africa. Depending on the whereabouts of the Himba, we serve lunch at Camp Syncro or somewhere along the road. In the afternoon we will take you to a desert plain - an opportunity to experience the silence! The "sundowner" spot will allow you another breathtaking view and dinner might be served in a magic circle. The silence of a starlit night along the Kunene will remain an unforgettable memory.

Day 3 Today our emphasis lies on the Marienfluss valley. We take you for drives and walks and strolls to discover fauna and flora, to learn about the ecology, to experience the unique combination of valley, mountains and river. Hidden fountains, an extraordinary garnet mine, secret side valleys, a Ludwig's bustard, a bat-eared fox... might be part of today's outings. Some time during mid-afternoon, after a last cup of tea or coffee, it is time to depart again. You bid farewell to Camp Syncro and return to the aircraft. An unforgettable, authentic experience comes to an end when you arrive in Windhoek with sunset.
This program is subject to changes depending on the weather conditions, the movements of the semi nomadic Ovahimba but also individual wishes of our clients.

Rates: on request

Included in the price: the flights from Windhoek to Kaokoland and back, all drives in our specially equipped 4x4 vehicles, accommodation in 2 bed huts, beds with bedding and mosquito nets, full board, access to our field library. With all our tours we try to be flexible enough to first and foremost meet the requests of our clients: We could pick you up or drop you at any other place if you wish.
Please bring along: proof that your insurance covers all costs in case of an emergency, comfortable clothing (prepare for possibly chilly nights and warm / hot days), good walking shoes, a hat, toiletries and towel, water bottle, binoculars, torch, sunglasses, suntan lotion, insect repellent, Malaria prophylaxis.
The maximum baggage allowance is 10 kg per passenger in soft bags (no suitcases or big rucksacks please!).
Be aware that NO overweight can be accepted!

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Reservations are only accepted in writing: by fax or via e-mail.
Final availability confirmation: in writing: by fax or via e-mail.

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