Trekking tours in Namibia: hiking tours

The best time to travel for a hiking tour in Namibia is mainly in the dry season from May to October. In these months temperatures are moderate, the air is dry and the trails are easy to walk – ideal conditions for longer trekking tours through desert, canyon landscapes and mountains.

Especially for active travellers this time is considered optimal, because heat and rain are much less of a problem than in the Namibian rainy season.

May to August/September – ideal hiking conditions

In these dry-season months in Namibia the days are mostly pleasantly warm, while the nights can get much cooler. Temperatures are often between about 20 and 27 °C. Hikes in the Namib Desert, in the Fish River Canyon or in the wide landscapes of the Damaraland region are particularly popular.

In general, the dry air provides clearer visibility, which allows spectacular panoramas and good photo conditions. However, desert dust can sometimes work against this.

September to October – hiking still possible, but with restrictions

During September temperatures rise somewhat again. Hikes are still quite feasible, especially in the early morning hours. In October, by contrast, it is often already too hot again.

November to April – rather unsuitable

During the rainy season it gets significantly hotter and in places humid. Short, heavy showers can make trails slippery, and temperatures above 35 °C make longer hikes difficult. The Fish River Canyon is closed to trekking activities at this time, mainly because of the heat.

However, April offers good conditions quite often, so hiking tours are already offered then as well.

If you would like to learn more about the best time to travel to Namibia, read our blog.

Our guided 14-day Namibia hiking tour has 2 to a maximum of 10 participants. This means that we run the Namibia trekking tour even with only two participants. That gives you certainty in planning if you sign up as two people.

The limited group size creates a personal atmosphere with plenty of space and comfort. At the same time, your guide can respond individually to wishes and questions and actively help shape the trip.

The result is an intense nature experience far from large tour groups – personal, flexible and authentic. If you prefer to travel with friends, family or entirely privately, you can of course do that too. Our experienced travel experts will be happy to advise you.

Trekking in Namibia is one of the most impressive outdoor experiences in Africa. Because the country is characterised by extreme landscapes, great distances and a very dry climate, good preparation helps.

Those who plan well can experience hikes through desert, canyons and mountain landscapes safely and intensely.

Plan climate, distance and fitness realistically

Many trekking routes lead through remote regions such as the Fish River Canyon, Damaraland or the dunes and sand sea in Namib-Naukluft National Park. There is often hardly any shade; we of course take care of sufficient water for you.

Even so, you should choose tours carefully and assess your fitness realistically. Multi-day treks require good basic fitness as well as experience with heat and long daily stages.

The right equipment

Lightweight, breathable clothing and reliable sun protection are essential. These include a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses and sun cream with a high sun protection factor. Good trekking shoes with a grippy sole also protect you on rocky or sandy ground.

Also very important is sufficient drinking water – for hikes in the desert, at least three litres per person per day is often recommended.

Health and trip preparation

After your arrival, allow sufficient time to acclimatise – especially after a long-haul flight. International health insurance including repatriation is strongly recommended. Let our experienced travel experts advise you as well, so that you are perfectly prepared and think of everything important.

A multi-day trekking tour in Namibia leads through remote desert or canyon landscapes and offers day hikes in spectacular nature.

The routine is usually clearly structured: early starts because of the heat, shorter or longer hikes each day and nights under the open sky, in simple tented camps or in beautifully located, comfortable lodges and guest farms.

Example of a Namibia trekking tour

Our Namibia hiking tour combines trekking and safari. Hikes through enchanting and impressive regions of the country alternate with sundowner drives or game drives, such as in Etosha National Park.

Typical itinerary of a multi-day Namibia trekking tour

• Start in Windhoek and first hike
  After arrival at the airport of the capital Windhoek, you head to a first natural region, the Waterberg Plateau. There a first, rather easy hike starts to get used to the climate and landscape.
• Daily hikes through different landscapes
  On the following days, hikes of about 2 to 4 hours are on the programme. The routes lead through varied regions such as the Ugab Valley, mountain landscapes or open savannahs. Along the way the guide explains special features of the flora, fauna and geology.
• Natural highlights and cultural encounters
  Besides the hikes, special natural highlights are part of the route, such as Sossusvlei with its giant dunes and the dry clay pan of Deadvlei, or the rock paintings in the Erongo Mountains.
• Safaris and wildlife viewing
  The hiking tour also includes game drives in Etosha National Park, where elephants, giraffes, zebras, rhinos or lions can be observed.
• Overnight stays and end of the day
  After the hikes, travellers mostly stay overnight in lodges, guest farms or tented camps. In the evening, shared meals, sunsets and the starry desert sky take centre stage.

On a guided Namibia hiking tour the daily stages are deliberately planned at a moderate level, so that there is enough time for nature observation, photo stops and explanations by the guide. The hikes usually last about 2 to 4 hours per day.

The exact duration varies depending on region, terrain and daily programme.

Typical daily hiking times

• Easy stages: about 1 – 2 hours, e.g. short hikes to viewpoints such as the Waterberg Plateau or the rock paintings at the Brandberg.
• Normal day hikes: usually 2 – 3 hours over distances of about 4 – 6 kilometres, for example moderate hikes to the Omumborombonga forest or the dunes and sand sea at Sossusvlei.
• Longer hikes: roughly 3 – 4 hours, e.g. in mountain regions such as the “Moon Landscape” or the Ugab Valley.

The meals on hiking tours in Namibia combine comfortable meals in lodges and restaurants with practical provisions for the road.

In principle, the meals listed in the detailed itinerary are included in the trip price.

We can also ensure very good and suitable catering for guests with allergies or special diets – such as vegetarian, vegan or gluten-free. Please inform your travel expert early about your needs.

He or she can also explain to you exactly how the meals are arranged on your chosen trip and what you can look forward to. This way we make sure you are always well provided for on the road.

On walking safaris in Namibia you experience a great diversity of African wildlife. You move slowly and quietly through the landscape.

Unlike classic safaris in a vehicle, the focus is not only on watching large animals, but also smaller species, tracks in the sand and the animals' adaptations to the dry climate. Many typical savannah and desert animals of Africa live there.

The most impressive animal encounters naturally include large wildlife, which you can mostly discover from a distance, in protected areas such as Etosha National Park or in remote regions such as Damaraland.

A special experience on guided walking safaris is that guides often read and explain animal tracks. This way you learn not only which animals live in the area, but also how they live and how they have adapted to the conditions of the desert.

The cost of a hiking tour in Namibia depends heavily on trip length, comfort level and type of accommodation. The cost of a hiking tour in Namibia starts at approx. 350 euros per person per day.

A good example is our 14-day guided hiking tour through Namibia, which costs roughly from €3,400 per person in a double room. This price includes accommodation, most meals, transfers in the country, hikes with a guide as well as activities and National Park fees.

Additional costs such as international flights, tips, drinks, meals not included, visas, travel insurance and optional excursions are not included in the trip price.

Yes, a private safari in Namibia can be combined very well with hikes. A big advantage of a private trip is the flexible design of the programme. You decide how to shape your trip and whether you want to combine game drives in a 4x4 vehicle with guided hikes in selected natural regions.

This way you experience the landscape and wildlife both from the relaxed perspective of a safari and intensely and close to nature on foot. The combination of safari and hiking is considered particularly varied. In Namibia's private game reserves, hikes are usually accompanied by experienced rangers.

Contact our travel experts for individual advice and tips on the perfect design of a combined hiking and safari trip in Namibia!