The Angel's View Hike
on Naukluft Mountain

When: Due to climatic conditions, only possible between 01 March and the third Friday in October of each year. Trail starts on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays of the first three weeks of the month, during season.

Length of tour: The actual hiking trail needs eight days to complete, but a half-hike of four days can be considered. With either of these, a day before and after must be added to allow for travel to and from the hiking venue. In other words, either 10 days or six days. The visitor may add any number of days on either side of these.

Number of guests: Minimum of three to a maximum of six. (Children, 12 years and older, are also allowed on this hike - under adult supervision).

Fee: Based on the minimum number of three participants, wishing to do the half-hike (4-day hike - total six days), the fee is US$75 per person per day - excluding airport taxes and airfare to and from Namibia. Costs such as trail packs/meals, transport, hiking fees, insurance cover for possible Medical Emergency transfers by air and/or road, plus hiking/camping utensils, are included. Towels, sleeping bags, hiking boots & backpacks are excluded.

Day 1: Meet your host at the airport. Transfer via Windhoek towards the edge of the central escarpment. Enjoy a picnic lunch/ afternoon tea while looking down onto the endless horizons of the Namib desert. Descend into the desert where a camp dinner, and final preparations for your hike, awaits.

Day 2: First day of hike. Two fairly steep ascents, otherwise easy terrain. About six hours needed for this first 8.75 miles section. First stop, Putte.

Day 3: Second day of hike. Mainly traversing the undulating part of the plateau. Again about six hours needed for this 5 miles section. One steep descent down the spectacular Ubisis Kloof - several chains anchored to assist with this otherwise difficult to negotiate descent. Second overnight stop, Ubisis kloof shelter.

Day 4: Third day of hike. Starts with a slight backtracking, then easy route followed across another section of the plateau. This section abounds with Kudu and Hartmann's Mountain Zebra. Requires about four to six hours for a 7.5 miles section. Third overnight stop, Adlerhorst Shelter.

Day 5: Fourth day of hike. Fairly level terrain before branching off into the beautiful Tsams River Gorge. Climbs steeply at one point to bypass a waterfall. After finally winding down to the river, an enormous Moringa Tree will be encountered (circumference close on 13 ft). Total distance of section is 10.63 miles. Fourth overnight stop, Tsams Ost Shelter. (This is where the half-hike ends).

Day 6: Fifth day of hike. Six to seven hours should cover this 10.63 miles section. From the previous shelter, the trail ascends steeply up Broekskeur, across undulating terrain to Fonteinpomp where water bottles can be topped up. Fifth overnight stop, Die Valle.

Day 7: Sixth day of hike. The trail leads to Die Valle waterfall, a magnifi-cent sight, despite being usually dry. A short, steep climb to the top of this 650ft high waterfall, then a narrow gorge, and down into the Arbeid Adelt Valley. About six hours needed to cover this 10 miles section. Sixth over-night stop, Tufa Shelter.

Day 8: Seventh day of hike. Begins with a steep ascent with chain assistance to scale a waterfall. Three hours later, reach the top of the plateau and Bakenskop. You are rewarded with an angel's view! Magnificent vistas of a valley carved by the Tsondab River - 1850 ft below! Trail winds over Kapoklaagte where Springbok and Gemsbok (Oryx) can be seen. This 8.75 miles section requires about five hours. Seventh stop, Kapoklaagte Shelter.

Day 9: Eighth day of hike. Section covers about 10 miles and needs about five hours. Follow a jeep track for about 2.19 miles, traverse a watershed, & descend into the Naukluft River by way of a tributary. On reaching the river, cool off in any of a number of crystal clear mountain pools. From the first pool, about forty minutes hike to the base camp. Unwind around a campfire while a bush cuisine dinner is being prepared for you over the open fire.

Day 10: After a leisurely breakfast, depart from Naukluft camp on a slow drive towards Windhoek. Arrive at the airport in time for your return flight.

BACKGROUND NOTES:

• Weather - Although the days during season are warm and sunny, the daily, demanding hiking activity could result in a hot rather than warm experience. Nights are cold and low temperature sleeping bags are recommended.

• Routes and accommodation - A scenic route will be traveled from Windhoek to the Naukluft Mountain, and the shortest, direct route used on return. Accommodation on the night before the hike, as well as the night on the last day of the hike will be in the old farmhouse of the original farm, Naukluft. Every night during the hike will be spent in open-sided shelters. Cold-water showers will be available.

  

• The Naukluft - The entire Naukluft Mountain, and immediately surrounding area, is a National Nature Reserve. It was originally proclaimed with the express purpose of protecting the Hartmann's Mountain Zebra. The highest point of the Mountain is found at Die Valle, and is 6386 ft above sea level. No campfires, or any other fires, are allowed on the hiking trail or at the overnight shelters - only in the main camping area or at the base camp where the hike starts and ends. Hot food preparation must be done on hiking/cam-ping gas- or kerosene units (supplied). Refuse bags will also be supplied to return all empty containers, used equipment/utensils, packaging materials and waste to the base camp. Apart from the Wildlife of Naukluft already mentioned, hikers will experience one of the highest concentrations of birdlife in Southern Namibia. While hiking along the trail, visitors will hear unusual sounds interspersing with the birdsong, listen carefully, your progress is carefully being monitored by troops of baboons (Papio ursinus), high on the cliff faces. These are their "barking" alarm calls. The other sound to be heard clearly is that of a Rock Hyrax (Procavia capensis), most probably disturbed while basking on a rock in the sun. Although these animals are small, furry creatures - about 20 inches in overall length - their closest African relative is the African Elephant (Loxo-donta aficana). Their world relatives are the dugongs, and in a super order, the manatees. Naukluft truly represents untouched Nature!

• Options: Within the immediate vicinity, several options are available to guests who wish to extend their visit beyond the actual hiking adventure. One of these is to ascend in a hot-air balloon, and silently drift high above the immensity of the Namib Desert at day-break. From this exclusive vantage point, the rising sun paints an endless vista of shadow and light over an ocean of sand dunes and mountains. After about an hour of silently riding the air, descend and celebrate this unique event with a full champagne breakfast in the middle of the desert. Flight certificates are presented before the drive back to camp.

• Visit Practicalities: Visitors should bring:
  • Their own comfortable backpack for the hike
  • Binoculars, cameras and an ample supply of film
  • Good quality, comfortable (and worn in) hiking boots
  • Lightweight clothes for daytime wear, and warmer clothing such as jackets and track suits for the evenings, nights and early mornings
  • A high-factor sunscreen preparation and a lip balm
  • A hat and sun shades for your eyes - due to the clear, unpolluted air, the sunlight is very intense and bright
  • Towels and a low-temperature sleeping bag
  • Spare ointments for muscle massaging and blister treatment (a complete first-aid kit will also be supplied).