Namibia

Namibia - Silvia Capucci

Naukluft Mountains, Olive Trail

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This 11 km trek begins about four km from the park headquarters and generally takes about four or five hours.


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The trail takes you up to a small plateau providing excellent views of the Naukluft valley, and then winds back down through valleys and gorges before reaching a 4WD road, leading you back to the trails beginning.


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Naukluft Mountains, Waterkloof Trail

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This is 17 km loop trek generally takes about seven hours to complete (at a leisurely pace), and begins at the Naukluft camp trailhead.

It is clearly marked with white painted foot prints on stones.
It starts off along the Naukluft River, usually giving you opportunities to swim with the frogs and top off your bottle if you have already finished your water.


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Near the top, the last water pool will be clearly marked.
Leaving the river and turning west about 1 km, you will continue through a ravine, up to the top of the plateau where you will slither across before reaching your halfway mark, about 4 hours into the trek.


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Shortly after the halfway mark, you will begin to ascend towards the highest peak of your journey, a lookout topping out at 1,910 m, which gives impressive panoramic views of your surroundings.

From there, you will descend into a valley, along steep shelves, before moving closer to the trailhead where the day began.


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Naukluft Mountains, Trekking Information

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The Waterkloof and Olive Trails are both day hikes and reservations are not required..
However, if you want to camp at Naukluft trailhead, you must reserve spot in advance.

For the eight-day loop, proclaimed as one of the most difficult treks in all of Africa, you must reserve your spot and declare the number of people with you before departing on your journey.


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Also a medical note from your doctor approving your overall physical health is needed (given to the trailhead warden prior to trekking).

Simple trail maps are available at the trailhead and are of great use during the hike.
Remember to carry lots of water, a minimum of two liters a day, as temperatures will soar into the scorchin'.
Good boots are suggested as well as a medical kit.


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You will be traversing rocky areas and it's best to plan for the unexpected .

Bookings and reservations are made with Namibia Wild Life Resorts at the Windhoek office.
For further information about the treks, log on to www.naukluft-experience.com


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Naukluft Mountains (2)

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In the 1890s, the Naukluft Mountains were a battle ground between German Shutztruppe forces and the Nama peoples.
The Germans wanted the Nama to flee their settlement at Hoornkrans, but the Nama were reluctant to conform.


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Mixed with their intimate knowledge of the area and superb guerilla fighting skills, the battle which the Germans thought would last only a few days, lasted several months.
Many lives were lost on both side.
The Nama only accepted German sovereignty after the German agreed for the Nama to retain their land and weapons.
A treaty was made and the Battle of Naukluft was forgotten to history.


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Naukluft Mountains (1)

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The Naukluft Mountains rise from flat gravel plains and tower in the air with steep cliffs, deep gorges, caves, springs creeks, and rivers which slice appearances of dolomite formations.


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Essentially the Naukluft Mountains are a high plateau, and the waters of the Tsondab, Tsams and Tsauchab Rivers lure in life from the most desolate of areas .

The mountains are home to the Hartmann's mountain zebra, kudu, oryx, springbok, klipspringer, and the elusive leopard.


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Sossusvlei, Tours

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Lodges in the area run tours to Sossusvlei regularly, the only difficult being you first have to get yourself to the lodge.

If you don't have a vehicle of your own, this task is daunting.
Your best option is to either rent a car in Swakopmund or Windhoek and drive to Sossusvlei yourself, or take a tour.


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Sossusvlei is a very popular place of interest so if you want to do it on the cheap, your best bet is to talk around backpacker lodges and gather yourself up a group.

Sunsets....

Sossusvlei and Sesriem Canyon are open year round from sunrise to sunset.
A popular attraction is to watch the sunrise over Sossusvlei, however this is only possible if sleeping near Sesriem, or waking up very early and arriving at the gate before it opens.


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