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There’s a place almost untouched by the modern world – a place where you can truly drop off the map. A Kaokoland luxury safari is for the adventurous spirit.
Kaokoland – the modern name being the Kunene region – in northwestern Namibia, is a remote and rugged destination. There are few accommodation options, making a Kaokoland safari a secluded adventure that will take you across untouched landscapes. Places where the Himba people still follow their traditional way of life and where rare desert-adapted wildlife roam.
Kaokoland safari tours prioritise depth of experience over typical tourist comforts, rewarding those who value untouched landscapes and unscripted cultural encounters.
Why Visit Kaokoland
- Deep cultural connection: Kaokoland is the ancestral home of the Himba people, who have maintained their ethnic individuality and traditional pastoral lifestyle thanks to the region’s geographic seclusion.
- True wilderness isolation: Often described as a genuine wilderness, Kaokoland features impossibly wild and rugged landscapes, from arid mountains to vast, grassy valleys. Here, you find a level of solitude where the silence is absolute.
- Unrivalled landscapes: From the subtropical riverine habitats of the Kunene River to the spectacular Epupa Falls and the pastel palette of Hartmann’s Valley, the scenery is harsh but breathtaking.
Must-Visit Areas in Kaokoland
Below are some of the most rugged, least populated, and geographically dramatic places on Earth.
The Kunene River and Epupa Falls
The Kunene River forms the border between Namibia and Angola. Travelling along the shore or on a water safari, you’ll see Nile crocodiles and hippos raucously guffawing. Kunene is a fantastic place for birdwatching safaris to see waterbirds.
Although the Kunene is a refreshing contrast to the desert, it’s home to crocodiles, so don’t be tempted to dive in, or even paddle, no matter how warm you are.
The Epupa Falls are also worth a visit. The falls are actually a series of rapids in the Kunene River, which here descends 60 metres over just 1.5 kilometres, creating a stunning mist-filled gorge. The waterways are impressive in an otherwise dry land, and the riverbanks are dense with baobabs and palms.
Ruacana Falls: One of Africa’s Largest Waterfalls
Ruacana Falls plummets from the Kunene into a gorge of 120 m/394 ft deep and 700 m/2,296 ft wide. The water levels of the river and strength of the falls depend on the fluctuating annual rainfalls in the Angolan Highlands and on the opening of the two sluices regulating the water supply for the power plants in this area.
Ruacana Falls is best experienced during high water in April and May.
Himba Village: Cultural Excursion
The Himba of Namibia are known for their red ochre-covered skin and traditional pastoral lifestyle. Ethical Himba tribe cultural tours invite visitors to engage with local communities to learn about their unique beauty rituals, spiritual beliefs, and deep connection to the land.
Their geographic isolation has allowed them to maintain their ethnic individuality and traditional pastoral lifestyle. The Himba seem untouched by the trappings of the modern world.
Visit with a mindset of humility and a desire for genuine connection rather than surface-level tourism. The wilderness may feel solitary, but it is the ancestral home of the Himba.
Experienced guides provide deep local insight while ensuring cultural protocols are followed.
Consider supporting community initiatives, and always leave no trace. Ethical visits extend to the environment, such as burying ash, taking your rubbish with you, and respecting the extremely fragile desert ecosystem.
The Lone Men of the Kaokoveld
Hidden along the remote tracks of Kaokoland, you may encounter the lone men. They’re rare stone sculptures of human figures placed in isolated locations.
They are scattered throughout the region, often found in improbable spots such as rocky nooks or near landmarks like the Marble Mine.
The Lone Men serve as silent witnesses to the vast wilderness, and finding one adds a measure of discovery to your journey.
Animals Found in Kaokoland
Despite low wildlife densities and harsh climates, a Kaokoland luxury safari offers the chance to spot unique desert-adapted wildlife.
Only a few species that have adapted to the dryness of the land wander around here. Look out for rare desert-adapted elephants and lions. Springbok and gemsbok (also known as oryx) also roam the treeless plains.
But it is the desert-adapted southwestern black rhino (Diceros bicornis bicornis) that is truly remarkable. The tough beasts can go several days without water, and are one of the few species that can feed on the highly toxic Damara milk-bush.
Black rhinos have roamed the region for millennia, depicted in ancient cave art. But by the 1970s and 80s, there were fewer than ten in Kaokoland. Today, thanks to Save the Rhino Trust, working with the Namibian government and local communities, they have been brought back from the brink of extinction.
Kaokoland holds the world’s largest free-roaming population of black rhino outside a protected national park, and Namibia as a whole has almost 35% of the world’s remaining black rhino population.
For birders on Kaokoland safari tours, the rare rufous-tailed palm-thrush and Cinderella waxbill are on the Kaokoland birdwatching checklist. Waterbirds of the region include kingfishers, fish eagles, and herons.
When’s the Best Time to Visit Kaokoland?
Kaokoland climate is generally harsh and gets very hot and dry.
May to October is the dry season and is characterised by temperate weather and clear skies. This is the best time for general travel and seeing the wildlife, as animals gather around the few remaining water sources. In these dry months, you can fully appreciate the surrealness of the desert.
The wet summer season begins in November, with thunderstorms and hot conditions stretching into April. At this time of the year, the rainfall quenches the thirst of the land, and green grasslands pop up. Migratory birds from Eurasia make an appearance in Kaokoland, making it an ideal time to visit for avid birdwatchers.
How to Get to Kaokoland
The best way to visit is on a Kaokoland fly-in safari. Charter flights to the far northwest depart from Windhoek, the capital of Namibia.
