Chameleon Holidays & Travel for Safaris & Vacations in Africa | Southern Africa | Namibia | Places Of Interest | National Parks | Towns

Namib Naukluft Park
Namibia's most versatile conservation area and one of the country's major tourist destinations is the Namib-Naukluft Park.  An amalgamation of the Namib Desert Park(proclaimed in 1907) , the Naukluft Mountain Zebra Park (created in 1966), unoccupied public land and a section of Diamond Area 2, the Namib-Naukluft Park was proclaimed in 1979 as one integrated reserve.  Following the addition in 1990 of another portion of Diamond Area 2, it now has a surface area of 49,768 square kms.  This vast wilderenss contains key features suchas Sossuslvei, Sesriem, the Welwitschia Trail, Sandwich Harbour, the Naukluft Mountains and Kuiseb Canyon.  Its managed as a wilderness area and accordingly has no large resorts.  There are, however, a large number of private accommodation establishments just outside the park especially in the vicinity of Sesriem.

Sossusvlei - Probably the most famous destination in Namibia for its towering, red sand dunes and ghostly white pan and skeletal camel thorn trees of Deadvlei, these trees are reported to be upto 600 years old.  There's nowhere else quite like it and many visitors leave the country saying there is nowhere more visually stunning!  Set within the Namib Naukluft National Park and southwest of Windhoek, the dunes are at their best for sunrise and sunset.  A definite must see!

Sesriem Canyon - Located just 4kms from Sesriem gate is the canyon where the erosion of many centuries has incised a narrow gorge of about 1km in length.  At the foot of the gorge, which plunges down 30-40m are pools that become replenished after good rains (when the Tsauchab River flows).  The name derives from a time when early pioneers tied six lengths of rawhide thongs together to draw water from the pools and provided them with one of the few fresh water sources in the region.

Sandwich Harbour - The reed-fringed lagoon at Sandwich Harbour, situated 48kms south of Walvis Bay at the foot of towering ivory-coloured dunes, is a spectacular and photoworthy destination.  It was once an open bay, which became silted up over the years.  Today it is sought after by anglers, ornithologists and nature lovers.  The lagoon is fed by fresh water seeping from an inland aquifer, and is a sanctuary for large numbers of coastal and freshwater birds.  It is also an important breeding ground for a variety of fish species.  There is also a great legend that buried somewhere in the dunes above the high water mark is a ship with a rich cargo of ivory, gold and precious stones - todate, nothing has been found but not from the lack of trying enthusiasts (of course, deep in the south of the country a shipwreck dating back to the 16th century was recently found and is likely to be one of the first European vessels - so who knows what may turn up in the future).  Visits to Sandwich Harbour are recommended with a recognised tour company who know the everchanging sand dunes well.   Bookings can be made through Chameleon.

Naukluft Section - This section of the park was created to serve as a sanctuary for Hartmann's mountain zebra, which were competing with livestock on local farms for food.  With its massive and incredible rock formations, Naukluft and the surrounding areas (including the amazing Tsaris Mountains adjacent to Naukluft) are a geologists paradise.  The intermittent layers of horizontally folded igneous rock, quartzite, dolomite and shale are impressive with their giant symmetrical pattersn.  Colours abound... Animals in addition to the mountain zebra include kudu, oryx, klipspringer, duiker, steenbok, baboon, leopard, jackal, bat-eared fox, African wild cat, caracal and aardwolf.  In the surrounding plains there's also the occasional cheetah.  Steep cliffs attract cliff breeding species of birds including black eagles.  Walking here is terrific but relatively challenging as the terrain is obviously rocky and uneven, some paths have rock pools and the only way over is to hang onto chains secured into the cliff face - not for those afraid of heights or a little shaky on their feet.  Some walks close to camp are fine, other walks include the 8-9km Olive Trail and 17km Waterkloof Trail.  In the park there is camping with shared ablutions but there are a few lodges not far outside of the park for those after more comfort though day visitors are not usually allowed.

Fish River Canyon
Eroded over many millennia, the Fish River Canyon is often reported as the second largest in the world (or the second largest natural gorge in Africa).   Set in a harsh, stony, plain dotted with drought-resistant succulents such as the distinctive quiver tree and poisonous eurphorbia , the canyon is a spectacular natural phenonmenon has taken hundreds of millions of years to evolve.  With its full length of 160km width of upto 27km and a depth of upto 550m - its most spectacular section is the 56km stretch between the northernmost and southernmost viewpoints.  There is always some water in pools in the river, and only during the rainy season can the river flow.  Experienced hikers regard the 90km hike through the base of the canyon as one of the most challenging - the hike is seasonal, takes 4-5 days to complete, and has restricted openings, on top of this bookings are normally required about a year in advance.  In the surrounding areas such as Gondwana Park, there are other hikes in the canyon just outside the National Park.  Here you can trek for several days - either with mules carrying your luggage (mule trails) or perhaps horse ride. 

Gondwana Canon Park is adjacent to the Fish River Canyon Park and is part of the Succulent Karoo, dubbed Namibia's Namaqualand as after the winter rains the land is covered with a blanket of colourful flowers. 

Kunene Region - including Damaraland, Opuwo etc
This sparsely populated region is home to stunning landscapes, ancient plants, free roaming black rhino, desert adapted elephant and Twyfelfontein, a World Heritage site.

Opuwo and further North  - The most northerly part of Kunene and north west Namibia is often regarded as one of the last "wild" areas in Southern Africa and landscapes include mountains, grassy plains and rugged terrains.  Opuwo is the main town in the north of the region and is the place to get supplies and fuel before venturing further into surrounding areas.  There's a range of community campsites and limited accommodation.  There is also an information centre and you can arrange a local guide to take you into a Himba village/community from here.  Many roads lead in and out of Opuwo - further north you can visit Epupa Falls - a series of cascades where the Kunene River drops - the largest drop being about 32m, the greenness, palms and grass fronds lie either side of the river yet the desert pushes the boundaries to this oasis area just a few metres away.  Ruacana Falls is more a distant memory - a dam was built for the power plant a few years ago and its only in high water (after rains) that the Falls surge past the intake weir and actually flow.

Sesfontein and Purros - located in the heart of the Kunene, the name Sesfontein originates from six fresh water springs in the valley.  A fort was also built at the turn of last century and was used to assist in anti-poaching  and gun running before becoming a police outpost until falling into disrepair.  More recently it has been renovated to a lodge and a camp site.  For travellers passing through, fuel can be purchased along with basic meals.  Sesfontein is the final town before Purros - another 100km into the region.  The road is relatively easily negotiated though we do not recommend this in a small car and can be difficult in the rainy season when the rivers flow and wash away the road (you have to drive through river beds to get here).  Purros itself is a small village, there is a community camp site and to ensure sustainable tourism in the area various projects run.  On the other side of the village is a luxury lodge offering all mod cons yet nestles into the landscape.  You are able to take a guide from either the camp or the lodge (activities with the lodge included) to search the riverbeds for desert elephant.  This is not something we recommend without a guide!  Other game abounds such as giraffe, oryx, lion, mountain zebra etc etc.. A very unique region.  There are other areas to reach but driving requires a lot of experience, support and an intimate knowledge of the region and not something we suggest for the majority of visitors.  If you wish to visit this area in contact us for further information.

Heading south in the north! The region of Damaraland offers truly incredible scenery - flat topped mountains with ancient plants and strange trees, granite kopjies and the changing colours of the mountains make it a must see destination for many - don't underestimate the place as many visitors pass through staying just one night between Etosha and Swakopmund, however, for those that spend a little more time you can track desert elephant and the endangered black rhino.
As you continue south the main points of interest have to include Twyfelfontein, a UNESCO World Heritage Site - recognising the huge collections of about 2500 rock etchings and paintings and to ensure that this unique collection is not only protected for future generations to come but also the importance of the history that may date back to around 300BC.   Close to this is the Organ Pipes and Burnt Mountain, both are of interest to geologists but create little interest for others.  Brandberg is Namibia's highest mountain and Konigstein the peak reaches 2573m.  Nestled amongst the rocks are more rock paintings - the most famous being "White Lady" - you can take a local guide from the base to show you this and other paintings as well as learn about some of the endemic plants.  The walk takes you over rocks and over a river bed so good walking shoes needed.  This mountain is stunning at sunrise and sunset when it lives up to its name "Fire Mountain".  Spitzkoppe is affectionately known as the Matterhorn of Africa.  This granite formation (along with Brandberg and the Pontoks) are all ancient volcanoes and sit majestically amongst the gravel plains.  Spitzkoppe provides a playground for young and old alike to scamper over rocks, enjoying incredible formations, splash in some pools (after the rains) and see ancient bushman paintings.  A local community camp site is based here and accommodation is further afield.  The Erongo Mountains located close to Spitzkoppe are scenic and offer great walking, there's various levels of accommodation and camping available.

Caprivi - Wedged between Angola and Botswana, this strip of land links Namibia with Zambia and Zimbabwe.  In this northerly section the country and vegetation differs vastly from much of Namibia.  Rivers and wetlands, an abundance of game and birdlife make it unique and one of the forgotten jewels of Namibia. Katima Mulilo is the Capital of the Caprivi and also provides a border crossing into Zambia.  Here, shops, banks, and plenty of accommodation on edge of the Zambezi River are offered.  Boat trips, fishing, sunset cruises, quad biking and some excellent game viewing are all offered.  Just a few hours away is Chobe National Park in Botswana and not forgetting Victoria Falls so day trips from here are readily available.
The whole region has over 430 species of bird, huge herds of elephant and other water dependent game such as hippo, crocodiles, red lechwe, waterbuck etc - many of these species are not found in Etosha and therefore a visit to the region will give the visitor a chance to see other sights.  Sit on the bank of a river listening to the cries of a fish eagle, the honk of a hippo with the river flowing and a stunning sunset and Namibia will certainly appear different from the image of dry desert landscapes.  Game reserves include Mudumu, Mahango and Mamili - each small and unique with migrating species of game, huge baobab trees and deciduous woodlands dominated by teaks and seringas  
This region is home to the Caprivian people, around 80,000 people live in the East Caprivi and rely on subsistence farming for much of the time.