The area north of Etosha running up to the Angolan border, known as Kaokoland, is a harsh and arid landscape, home to around 16,000 Himba, semi-nomadic cattle herders who have adapted to life in this remote region. Remarkably, the Himba culture and way of life remains largely intact.
This is a true wilderness; 40,000 sq kms, bordered by the Skeleton Coast to the west, Owamboland to the east, the Kunene River to the north and Damaraland to the south. T
here are no tarred roads, and you would need a fully equipped vehicle to self-drive in this region. It is probably best visited on a mobile safari (ask for details) or by flying in to Serra Cafema Camp.
Owamboland
This is the area due north of Etosha and east of Kaokoland. It is very different in nature. Because this area has water it is heavily populated, intensively farmed and grazed. Overgrazing and deforestation has taken its toll in this region and everything depends on there being good rains to replenish the watercourses. This is not an area in that is much visited by tourists on a Namibian holidays.
Caprivi Strip
Caprivi is a 500 km long finger of land between Zambia and Botswana that extends as far as the Zambezi in the east where it meets the boundary of Zimbabwe. It is a legacy of colonialism, when Germany sought a trade route to the Zambezi and the Indian Ocean. It was ‘given’ to German South-West Africa (Namibia) by Britain in exchange for Zanzibar! The Caprivi Strip has a riverine landscape of lush vegetation, which supports many small villages.
Intrepid Namibia
Itinerary Highlights
- Spend time in some of the most remote camps in Namibia
- Discover the fascinating wildlife at Hoanib
- Sip sun downers on the river banks at Serra Camfema
Ntwala Island Lodge
Ntwala Island Lodge is a little known secluded lodge set on a pristine cluster of islands within the Mambova rapids where two mighty African rivers converge, the Zambezi and the Chobe.Unusually with unique white sands and palm trees, the Ntwala Island Lodge is only 80 kilometres upstream from Victoria Falls, a perfect watery alternative with a great selection of activities compared to the usual Ch...
Serra Cafema
Serra Cafema, on banks of the Kunene River in the extreme northwest of Namibia is probably the most remote camp in Southern Africa, and quite possibly the best. The camp is set in a narrow strip of shady trees along the river, the only permanent source of water in the region. Behind this strip of vegetation is an arid landscape of sand dunes; to the north, across the Kunene, are the spectacula...
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