Kaokoland (Kunene Region)
Over 40,000 sq. km (over 15,444 sq. mi)
1970 (Kaokoland) | 1992 (Kunene Region)
All year
Kaokoland completely wild and untamed
For the adventurous souls out there, Kaokoland tours are what Namibia is all about. Widely considered as one of Africa’s last remaining true wilderness areas, the Kaokoland is harsh, wild, desolate, and dramatically beautiful.

Kaokoland: The land of the Kunene and Himba
It is not included in most tourist itineraries, but that is a large part of its appeal.
With its stunning landscapes, desert elephant population, and cultural experiences with the iconic Himba people, Kaokoland (Kunene Region) tours have much to offer.
Wide open spaces across rugged terrain, with beautiful waterfalls at Epupa and Ruacana located along the Kunene River.
The Ruacana Falls are amongst the largest found in Africa, and the Epupa Falls are probably one of the most beautiful. This alone could justify visiting the Kaokoland.
Further inland, the Kaokoland is home to a variety of flora and fauna despite the harsh environment found here.
Scattered across the valleys and dry riverbeds are desert elephants, which can sometimes walk up to 200 km to find water. Both they and black rhinos are free-roaming and can be tracked and viewed in various parts of the region, as can the elusive desert lions.
Easier and more frequent wildlife sightings found here are zebra, springbok, oryx and giraffe. To say their numbers in the Kaokoland are bountiful would be a lie; the region is sparsely populated, and the main appeal here is the fantastic landscapes. But wildlife can be found in the Kaokoland, so you just need to know where to look.
You can explore the Kaokoland on guided lodge tours, guided camping tours and even on self-drive tours in your own rental car.
The term Kaokoland was given by the Apartheid government and after Independence was replaced by the name Kunene Region in 1992. However, in day-to-day life, the term Kaokoland is still commonly used. The name Kaokoveld, strictly speaking, refers to an ecosystem on a stretch of coastline; however, it is often used interchangeably with the name Kaokoland.
The Kaokoland is also great 4×4 territory that will challenge any vehicle as much as the driver. The treacherous Van Zyl’s Pass leading into the Marienfluss Valley is possibly the most famous of the passes. However, not all the roads in the Kaokoland consist of mountain passes.
You will also encounter normal dirt and gravel roads, which you can sometimes drive for hours without encountering another living soul. What you are rewarded with for driving along the Kaokoland’s roads are amazing panoramic vistas, uninhabited and stretching out as far as the eye can see.
Accommodations are rather limited here compared to other parts of the country. But those in the Kaokoland will provide you with all the comfort you need and are located in a stunning natural setting.
Along the Kunene River, you can stay at fantastic safari lodges or camp at one of the beautiful campsites. This part of the Kaokoland is green and lush, in stark contrast to the rest of the region, and shade can be found under the baobab trees and makalani palms.
The regional capital, Opuwo, is a popular and convenient stop and a good place to restock your supplies. If you are planning to stay for the night, remember that the Opuwo Country Lodge’s infinity pool boasts one of the best views you will find anywhere in Namibia.
Further south, in the settlement of Sesfontein, you will also find only a limited number of accommodations and campsites. Amongst the lodges is the Fort Sesfontein Lodge, rebuilt according to the original Fort Sesfontein, which was built by the German Schutztruppe in 1896 to curb poaching.
Travelling through the Kaokoland, you will encounter several Himba settlements. These iconic and statuesque semi-nomadic people continue to largely resist the encroachment of the western world.
The Himba are best known for the red ochre they use to braid their hair and protect their skin from the harsh sun. Himba women wear ornate hairstyles and jewellery made from iron, copper, and shells, which makes them striking to look at and a popular motive for many photographers.
On Kaokoland tours, you can witness the traditional Himba lifestyle at several cultural villages and living museums, many of which can be incorporated into our itineraries.
The Kaokoland is a region waiting to be discovered by those who want to explore an area that lies off the beaten track.
By travelling through its desolate valleys and hills, you can awaken the adventurer in you, soak in amazing and uniquely beautiful landscapes, and appreciate the wildlife and the people who inhabit this fascinating land.
Waterfalls
You can gaze upon the Epupa and the Ruacana Falls, two of the many scenic highlights in the Kaokoland.
Marienfluss and Hartmann’s Valleys
You can explore these untouched valleys and get a sense of the tremendous amounts of open space and silence found in the region, impressive even by Namibian standards.
4x4 Off-Road Adventure
You can travel along the various mountain passes of the Kaokoland which can provide some exhilarating challenges even for a 4×4 off-road enthusiast.
WHEN TO GO
Best time to go to the Kaokoland (Kunene Region)
Both seasons have their advantages in the Kaokoland. With regards to wildlife viewing, the region is sparsely populated, so the time of year doesn’t make a great difference.
One of the main reasons for going on Kaokoland tours is the beautiful landscapes, which are arguably at their most stunning during the green season.
Some people prefer the arid and desolate conditions of the dry season, which is also beautiful in its own way.
It’s a close call, but what might tip the scales a bit towards the dry season being the best time to go is that it can get uncomfortably hot in the green season.
Dry Season
May to OctoberDry conditions and pleasant temperatures
Green Season
November to AprilOdd rain shower and very warm to hot temperatures
Why to go
Landscapes of wide open plains, mountains, and waterfalls
Although the Kaokoland is home to fascinating wildlife, the incredible landscapes make most intrepid travellers fall in love with it.
Wide, expansive plains are arid during the dry season and can transform into a sea of green grass during the wet season, all of which is framed by rugged mountains, and no one else around but you to soak it all in.


After a long day on the road, we sip a cold drink at the bar of the Omarunga Epupa Falls Camp, under shady Makalani palm trees rustling in the wind, on the banks of the gurgling Kunene River. It’s a beautifully green oasis in this harsh and unforgiving corner of the world.Marlene | Namibia Travel Expert
Where to stay in Namibia's Kaokoland
Location
The former Kaokoland is found in the far northeast of Namibia. It lies south of the Kunene River, the natural border between Namibia and Angola.
It has been renamed the Kunene Region, which now encompasses the former Damaraland to its south and the Skeleton Coast to its west.
The region contains a few dirt and gravel roads, almost all of which are wonderfully free of traffic.
- Kaokoland  Â
- Caprivi / Zambezi Region 1,020 km | 12-13 hours’ drive
- Etosha National Park (Okaukuejo) 620 km | 7-8 hours’ drive
- Damaraland (Twyfelfontein) 530 km | 7 hours’ drive
- Windhoek 920 km | 12 hours’ drive
- Luderitz 1,600 km | 18-19 hours’ drive
- Fish River Canyon 1,570 km | 18-19 hours’ drive



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