Namibia Hiking Opportunities: Top Trails for Active Travelers

For anyone with a passion for magnificent desert scenery, hiking in Namibia is a must. Get under the skin of the vast Namib, with its towering dunes, endless horizons, earthy colors and intriguing desert wildlife. Discovering this wilderness on foot gives you an intimate knowledge of the desert’s rhythms, it’s seductive landscapes and its star-spangled skies.

From short loops easily tackled in a day, to multi-stage treks covering substantial distances, there are plenty of possibilities for the keen hiker among Namibia’s awesome scenery. Working from the advice of our local partners, we’ve put together a sample hiking itinerary in this blog to help you get inspired. But remember: all our trips are tailor-made. With their expertise as a baseline, you can collaborate to come up with the perfect Namibia hiking itinerary for your unique needs.

Let’s take a look at some of the most enticing trails for hiking in Namibia. Whether you’re looking for gentle ambles that last just a few hours or your interest runs to multi-phase hikes that last  for days or even a week, you’re sure to find treks to your liking. 

Fish River Canyon trek: A tough hike you’ll never forget

If you’re hoping to follow the rugged route through the gorge of Fish River Canyon for the four to six days required to complete it, you need to visit Namibia between May and August. Outside of those months, it simply won’t be possible to tackle the 56-mile (90 kilometer) hike. The heat is just too fierce during the first and final thirds of the year, with daily highs around 90 degrees Fahrenheit (about 32 Celsius) in both periods.

Your experience will also be influenced by the water level of the Fish River. Because when it gets higher, you’re likely to get your feet wet at times and follow higher paths. You will also need to bring enough food and camping supplies for your entire trip, and prepare for the rigors of several days in the wilderness.

In the canyon, it’s wise to rise early and cover some ground before it gets too hot. But despite the heat and the rocky terrain, the whole experience is worth the effort required to complete it. You’ll view many incredible landscapes along the way, and feel an extraordinary sense of achievement when you’re finally finished with your journey. It’s the sort of hike that’s impossible to forget.

The Tok Tokkie Trail: Beauty on the ground and in the skies

Usually split into three manageable days, this route is better suited to less experienced hikers than Fish River Canyon. Also, it takes you through some of the most enticing scenery in the NamibRand Nature Reserve, one of Namibia’s most beautiful landscapes. Ponder the origins of the mysterious fairy circles (patches of particularly barren land that form unusual patterns), and enjoy sleeping out under a stunning night sky. (The NamibRand is one of the world’s International Dark Sky Reserves: areas designated for their remarkable stargazing opportunities.)

Far from being rare due to aridity, life surrounding the Tok Tokkie Trail is actually quite abundant. You may come across the Tok Tokkie beetles for which the trail is named. They perform a mating call by tapping their bodies against a solid surface, making a “tok tok” sound. These creatures, like many other desert dwellers of the NamibRand, show fascinating adaptations to their hot and dry environment. Many animals here have developed ways to harness moisture from the dawn fog which often envelops the land. For example, the Tok Tokkie beetles stand on their heads and catch moisture on their bodies, which then runs down into their mouths.

Meanwhile, the bat- eared fox has adapted to the heat by evolving to have large, wing-like ears, which function as an efficient heat dispersal apparatus. Keep your eyes peeled for large mammals such as oryx and springbok: they are often quite easy to spot and aren’t particularly bothered by humans. Finally, keep your eyes peeled for the fascinating NamibRand birdlife on your trek, especially the endemic dune lark, rare lappet faced vulture, and the black eagle.

The Olive Trail: A robust mountain odyssey

This six-mile (10-kilometer)  loop includes views of numerous dramatic peaks and gorges of the Naukluft mountain range, and is the shortest hiking route in the Namib-Naukluft National Park. It’s named after the wild olive trees that grow in this area — which you will see along the route — as well as iconic quiver trees and euphorbia.

Arguably, the most important features of the Olive Trail are the views from the high plateau, which you reach after a steady ascent to an altitude of about 1,050 feet (320 meters). From this point, you can see the peaks of the Naukluft range and the dry river beds in the valleys, as well as the trail snaking along on the far side of the ridge. Once you negotiate the slightly tricky descent into the gorge, the going can get a little tricky: Chains are installed for safety on the more challenging sections, and you’ll be clambering over a few particularly rocky areas, so make sure you have sturdy footwear. Those whose hiking skills are moderate or higher will be best suited to this trail.

The gorge narrows to its most dramatic point shortly before it broadens again toward the end of the trail. Don’t forget your camera, as this is a very scenic route with plenty l of great photo opportunities. With a bit of luck, you may even spot some local fauna such as Kudu, baboons, the Hartman Zebra, and Klipspringer.

Waterkloof Trail: A water-surrounded hike

A long day hike that can take up to 8 hours, this 10.5-mile (17- kilometer) loop trail is another scenic excursion that showcases the best of the Namib-Naukluft National Park. The most popular reason for undertaking this Namibia hiking trail is to enjoy a dip in the delightful pools of water at the early and late parts of the trek. The first collection of pools you will come across are along the river Naukluft, and these are particularly clear, making them ideal for a quick swim. You may well find baboons are doing the same!

On the final stretch of the looping Waterkloof trail, the pools are to be found along the course of the Gororosib river. Though these are sometimes less crystalline than other pools from earlier on the path, they are nevertheless very inviting after a long journey. The terrain is mainly quite easy for hikers of any experience level, with some sections in the gorges being a little more challenging. Overall, it makes for an excellent hike, with some good wildlife- spotting opportunities and stunning views along the way.

Make it happen

TravelLocal’s specialized local partners are experts on all aspects of Namibia. So if you are hoping to put together a vacation focused on Namibia hiking trails, they can offer plenty of advice on which routes would suit your party best. Rest assured that they’ll recommend treks that are within the capacity of everyone you’ll be traveling with, so they won’t suggest Fish River Canyon (for example) if there’d be any risk to your party. 

Our experts are waiting to assist you in devising your itinerary, advise you on essential gear and apparel, and provide any other vital information that’s necessary for you to make the most of the time you have available. Get in touch with us now and begin planning your Namibia adventure.