For outdoor enthusiasts looking to connect with nature.
The Fish River Canyon in southern Namibia ranks as one of Southern Africa’s top trails. The 85 km-long hike is usually completed in four or five days, but is no walk in the park. Following the course of the Fish River, the terrain varies from deep, loose sand and stretches of boulders that have to be negotiated to seemingly endless tracts of round river stones. There are no set overnight stops and no facilities along the trail which ends at Ai-Ais Resort.
The Naukluft Hiking Trail meanders through spectacular mountain scenery, but is a tough trail that should only be attempted by fit hikers. The trail offers a choice of two four-day routes or an eight-day route. The circular four-day route from the Naukluft office covers 63 km, while the linear four-day route ending at Tsams Ost is 58 km. The full route covers 120 km. Basic overnight facilities are provided on the trail.
Two day hikes are also offered, the Olive Trail which covers 10 km, while the 17 km Waterkloof Trail is more demanding and should not beattempted if you are not fit.
Düsternbrook Safari Guest Farm is the starting point of the Khomas Hochland Hiking Trail which meanders over the farm and adjoining farms. Two circular options are available: a 54 km trail over four days, or a 90 km route over six days. Düsternbrook also offers a two- day overnight trail.
For outdoor enthusiasts looking for something less energetic there are a number of short walks.
Farm Windhoek, on the city’s southern outskirts, has a network of 70 km of trails along jeep tracks and tracks of varying lengths and gradients.
At Daan Viljoen Game Park outside Windhoek visitors have a choice of two walks. The 3 km Wag-‘n-Bietjie Trail is an easy ramble, while the 9 km Rooibos Trail is a more strenuous circular route.
For overnight visitors at Düsternbrook Guest Farm routes range from one to six hours. The Dassie Trails on Namibgrens Guest Farm follow two circular routes of 45 km with shorter options.
The Rock Sculpture Trail near Bloedkoppie in the Namib section of the Namib-Naukluft Park meanders through a natural open-air rock sculpture gallery. It takes about three hours to complete the walk.
At Klein Aus Vista near Aus in southern Namibia, visitors have a choice of 6 self-guided trails. Routes range from an easy to moderate 4.1 km to a 20 km hike graded as intermediate to advanced, depending on your level of fitness.
