Namibia Hiking Expedition: The Naukluft Massif

“Namibia” literally means “Land of Open Spaces”, and there are few better places from which to experience the sweeping vistas of this country than the Naukluft Mountains. Situated along the Eastern edge of Africa’s largest game park, the Naukluft Massif was set apart as a sanctuary for mountain zebra, and is also home to a host of other wildlife great and small.

The Naukluft Massif is a part of the Namib-Naukluft National Park, a vast area of protected land in Southwestern Namibia. The mountains form part of the Southern African Great Escarpment, marking the outer edge of the continent’s huge central plateau. To the West, the dune fields and open country of Namibia’s coastal margins stretch away into the distance. The Naukluft range is riddled with kloofs, gorges and ravines that provide shelter for some fifty species of mammals, and the crevices and rock formations of the mountains are ideal niches for many species of birds. Plant life here finds more of a foothold than in the desert, too, fed by pockets of water collected in the kloofs and numerous natural springs in the region.

This Namibia hiking expedition - and it truly is an expedition - takes you through some astonishingly varied terrain. A real challenge awaits you at Ubusis Gorge, a deep kloof into which you’ll descend with the aid of chains attached to the rock. On the plateau, you have every chance to see the mountain zebra -larger than their plains counterparts- for which the massif was originally set apart as a reserve. The Tsams River gorge is another beautiful ravine, nearby which you’ll witness Die Valle, a 200-metre-high waterfall that is spectacular even when dry, as it is for much of the year in this arid land. Finally, near the end of your trip, you’ll be able to take in the views from Bakenskop, a reminder, once again, of why Namibia is so deserving of its name

This is a tough hike, by any standards. As is often the way, though, the rewards are immense. The whole walk covers 120 km over rough and often steep terrain. A medical certificate is required before beginning the trek, itself an indication that only those who are physically fit and in robust good health should even consider this expedition. Accommodation is basic, and you’ll be carrying all your supplies for the whole trip with you. Temperatures range from very hot during the day to very cold at night; good sleeping-bags are essential. If you’re still thinking that this trip sounds good after reading this, then you’ll probably love it.