kunene conservancy safaris

Safaris with CSN

Expeditions.

Each of our expeditions is custom-designed to suit your party. We don’t do set itineraries as this could limit opportunities that may come up as a result of rainfall, wildlife movements, community events and conservation activities. Read More

Etaambura Camp

Conservancy Safaris are co-owns, markets and manages the stunningly located self-catering Etaambura Camp – the name means the place from where you can see the rain. Read More

Guests' Comments

"This is the least commercial, most benevolent, best access to the real Namibia, with superb guiding, animal tracking and local know-how. Let Boas and the others guide you with good humor and exquisite patience through the bush to a waiting Rhino..." Read more

Contact info

• +264-64-406136
• [email protected]
• PO Box 8255 Swakopmund, Namibia

Photo credits

Kunene Conservancy Safaris Namibia

Contact information, related listings.

Zamaya Tours and Transfers CC

• +264 81 435 8226

Dominus Dunes Tours CC

Levo Dune Safaris CC

• +264 81 128 8292

Whipps Wilderness Safaris CC

• +264 81 289 5290
• Activities Adventures and Tours
• Art Culture and Tourist Attractions
• Industry News
• Namibia at a Glance
• National Parks
• Top Destinations
• Unique to Namibia
• World Heritage Sites

NTB Newsletter

Signup to our newsletter.

This will close in 0 seconds

Privacy Overview

TOURS & SAFARIS

Safaris in kaokoland & beyond, explore the untamed wilderness of kaokoland, namibia with kunene tours and safaris. with over 31 years in the industry, caesar zandberg specializes in off-the-beaten-track safaris into kaokoland. caesar offers both guided self-drive tours and fully guided safaris. immerse yourself in remote landscapes, diverse wildlife, and the vibrant culture of the himba people. whether you choose to self-drive or opt for a fully guided experience, caesar's tours guarantee an unforgettable adventure in namibia.

With Kunene Tours and Safaris, you will visit Namibia’s most remote and spectacular regions, far from roads, fences, and people. Kaokoland and the Kunene are unexplored areas of stark beauty, fascinating detail, and ancient landscapes. It is a dramatic and compelling world waiting to be discovered. With over 25 years of experience, you can be assured that Kunene Tours and Safaris will deliver true adventure.

Explore Namibia’s most remote and spectacular regions with Kunene Tours & Safaris. Choose from two exceptional options:

Escorted Self-Drive Safari : Drive your vehicle while being accompanied by an experienced guide in a separate car. Enjoy the freedom of self-driving with the security and knowledge of a local expert.

Guided Safari : Travel in a well-equipped safari vehicle with a professional guide. Relax and immerse yourself in the adventure as we handle all the driving and logistics.

Experience the rugged beauty and rich culture of Kaokolannd & the Kunene Region with our adventurous and intrepid safaris.

SAFARI PACKAGES

Our safaris and self-drives often combine bush camping with staying in rustic yet comfortable accommodations, providing an intimate experience of Namibia’s wild places. We camp in pristine wilderness areas, often without another soul in sight, and in some of the country’s remotest regions. This is not a luxury holiday but a true wilderness adventure that immerses you in the stark beauty and ancient landscapes of Kaokoland.

Angola Scenic

Kaokoland stonemen, last roaming black rhino, north west adventurer, kaokoland classic, kunene explorer, desert elephant discovery, need help or guidance.

We would be delighted to discuss any aspect of your Kunene adventure.

KHOWARIB LODGE

Start your Kaokoland adventures at Khowarib Lodge, nestled on the banks of the Hoanib River in northwest Namibia. Situated on the outskirts of Kaokoland, the lodge is your perfect base to explore Namibia’s remote northwest, whether you venture out independently or join one of our guided tours. The immediate surrounding area of Damaraland is teeming with rich and exciting activities, including the chance to spot desert-adapted elephants and visit Himba settlements.

Safari Types

Tracks Safaris are delighted to offer a new community tourism safari which encapsulates the very meaning of ‘making your footprint count’.

In five conservancies in the magnificent north-west Kunene Region the rural people you will meet own the company and are your hosts. All profits from the safari business go to the 1,800 members of these conservancies so you know you are making a real difference.

The main stakeholders of Kunene Conservancy Safaris are the Himba and Herero semi-nomadic pastoralists who live in the Puros, Orupembe, Sanitatas, Okonjombe and Marienfluss conservancies.

From the conservancy hosts through to administrative staff, the vision of ‘making your footprint count’ really is important. The team is highly experienced and includes local conservancy guides who will provide a fascinating insight into life in the Kunene region.

These safaris will appeal to the discerning traveller who wants to make his or her ecological footprint count by taking part in one of the most successful community conservation initiatives in Africa.

Enjoy the best of both worlds – a top class safari into a remote, spectacular part of north-west Namibia where you will be welcomed as guests, not merely tourists, by the community owners of the company. The experience is authentic, intimate and exclusive. The skilled back-up team ensures there are no compromises on eco-safari standards, safety or luxury.

Visitors can experience being a conservancy guest while at the same time ensuring that meaningful social and economic benefits flow to the very people who have to bear the costs of living with wildlife.

The tours are flexible and responsive to local situations and the only parts of the experience we guarantee is that our guests will be helping to secure a future for wildlife and its custodians; that they will take back once in a lifetime memories of awe-inspiring untamed landscapes, its wild animals and the remarkable, resourceful people who live there.

Guests will be able to explore off the beaten track parts of conservancies and join conservancy activities including:

• Experience stress relieving solitude and watch free roaming wildlife in a wild land without fences, knowing your presence is making conservation sustainable for the people who live in this vast region.
• Meet and hear the stories of the conservancy game guards, the men who protect the desert wildlife – black rhino, desert adapted elephant, giraffe, gemsbok, springbok, lion, leopard and cheetah.
• Go on guided wildlife and nature walks, including rhino tracking with conservancy game guards.
• Visit local traditional leaders and see how conservancy staff and members live and work. Hear the real problems and their local solutions. Enjoy a traditional meat feast and taste desert goat. Guests will be expected to join in the singing and dancing and share songs from their own country.
• Highlights may include taking part in the annual harvest of commiphora resin – the perfume plant or myrrh made famous by the Bible’s three wise men. Hear how IRDNC, the local support NGO, has assisted conservancies to earn more than N$250 000 each year by marketing this valuable product to top cosmetic companies.
• Visit Wereldsend, historic base camp of IRDNC from where the now national community-based conservation program was piloted in the early 1980s. Watch, day by day, as the story of one of Africa’s most enduring community-based conservation programs unfolds, and meet the people who have made it work on the ground.
• Enjoy quality campfire cuisine, cold beer and fine wines while staying in conservancy owned campsites.
• Spend a night or two in the first Himba-owned luxury tented camp on a remote hilltop where you can see forever.

For more information please contact us on 01984 667420 or email [email protected] . We have experienced travel with Kunene Conservancy Safaris and would be delighted to help you book your trip.

We offer set date small group departures – maximum of 9 guests on the itineraries below or would be happy to tailor make your own private trip.

Authentic Himba Experience – 4 nights/5 days

Kunene Kaleidoscope – 9 nights/10 days

Kunene Wildlife and Culture with Etosha – 8 nights/9 days

Speciality Safaris led by field experts (5 nights/6 days)

The speciality Safaris include:

Conservation and Culture – Garth Owen-Smith and Dr Margaret Jacobsohn

Desert Lion Safari – Dr Philip Stander

Kaokoland Naturally – Steve Braine

Desert Elephant Project Safari – Dr Keith Leggett

3 Night Rhino Conservation Experience

7 Night Carnivore Research Week – South Luangwa National Park

7 Night Kenya Lion Research Safari

9 Night Kenya Safari and Rhino Tracking Conservation Experience

12 Night Malawi Conservation Safari – Wildlife, Tea Estates and Cichlids

14 Night Zimbabwe Conservation Safari

10 Night Fly-In Itinerary – Monday Departure

11 Night Congo Basin Exploration – Tailor Made itinerary

Kunene Conservancy Safaris

• Phone: +44 1984 667420
• Email: [email protected]
• Company No: 7097897

Privacy Policy

Booking conditions, safari information, itineraries, lodges & camps, terms of website, destinations, latest company news.

• Best Places in Africa to View Wild Dogs! 22 Jun 2024
• No Single Supplement Safaris - Solo Safaris 25 Oct 2023
• Our favourite African sundowner locations! 24 May 2023
• Lodges and Camps in the Greater Mara with Swimming Pools 31 Oct 2022

YOUR COOKIE SETTINGS

We use cookies, which are small text files, to improve your experience and analyse our website traffic.

Will you accept these cookies?

Privacy Overview

Quick enquiry.

• Your Contact Details

Your Email:

Your Enquiry

Subject of Interest:

Subscribe to our newsletter?

I agree to the

Terms of Service & Privacy Policy

Discover the otherworldly beauty of the desert’s desolation, and delve into the extraordinary lifestyle of the semi-nomadic Himba on a once-in-a-lifetime Kunene safari.

Safari through remote and beautiful Kunene

Pure untamed wilderness awaits. Giraffe blend seamlessly into the desert sandscape. A brown hyena scavenges along the beach. Along the Kunene River, dunes tower a hundred metres up.  A world seemingly desolate. Yet full of life. With resilient, desert-adapted wildlife. The incredible semi-nomadic Himba people. And the life-giving river. 

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

Kunene at a glance

Spend the day exploring the wild strip of land along Namibia’s north-west coast. If you’re lucky you may encounter the rare desert-adapted lion that roams this desolate region. From the air, adventure takes on a startling perspective. The Skeleton Coast encompasses sandy riverbeds, rugged mountains, and the wild Atlantic Ocean.

Kunene key facts

Skeleton Coast National Park in Namibia’s Kunene Region runs along the country’s north-west coastline for 500 km. The area is home to many fascinating desert-adapted species such as lion, elephant and giraffe. Explore this area from Hoanib Skeleton Coast Camp or venture further north to Serra Cafema, one of our most remote Namibian camps, situated along the banks of the Kunene River.

GEOGRAPHIC SIZE

BIRD SPECIES

MAMMAL SPECIES

BEST TIME TO VISIT

All year round

WILDERNESS CAMPS

Miles of sunbleached sand epitomise the Skeleton Coast and dunes.

Semi-desert

Vast rocky plains carved through by ephemeral rivers.

A perennial river supporting a wealth of aquatic wildlife and waterbirds.

There are between 150 and 350 desert-adapted elephants in Namibia.

Giraffes love acacia trees and can often be seen quietly browsing.

Seeing these elusive lions is an unforgettable encounter.

Nile crocodile

Spot a Nile crocodile on the banks of the Kunene River.

With an average of 300 sunny days a year, the Kunene Region can be visited at any time. In late summer, rains in the higher-lying catchment areas can turn the sandy riverbeds into a brief torrent of life-bringing water. The water levels of the Kunene River are often at their highest then, making it the best time for boating trips that take in outstanding birdlife.

June to October

SUMMER SEASON

December to March

TRANSITIONAL SEASON

April, May & November

Kunene experiences

Explore camps in the kunene region.

Hoanib Skeleton Coast Camp is set in the rugged environment of the Hoanib River and has exclusive use of 24,000 hectares of the expansive Palmwag Concession. Serra Cafema is our most remote camp in Namibia. This luxurious lodge overlooks the spellbinding Kunene River, set among towering shade trees in the 300,000 hectare Marienfluss Conservancy, owned primarily by the Himba.

What country is the Kunene region in?

What animals can be found in the kunene.

Namibia’s Kunene Region may look inhospitable initially, but it is home to a fascinating array of desert-adapted wildlife. Amongst the dry riverbeds, elephants, oryx, giraffes, and even lions and the elusive brown hyena can be seen.

When is the best time to visit the Kunene?

Namibia’s Kunene Region can be visited year-round, but the best months are April to June, just after the rains when the land is lush, and the heat is not too oppressive.

Where is the Kunene Region?

It is situated in north-western Namibia.

What should I pack on a Kunene safari?

We advise guests to wear comfortable and casual clothing while on an African safari. Neutral colours are best for game viewing. You may also want to pack swimming gear, and clothing suitable for adventuring, like quad biking. Game drives usually take place in the early morning and late afternoon, which can be cooler, especially in winter. While temperatures often warm up during the day, it is best to dress in layers.

What does Kunene mean?

It is named after the Kunene River and means ‘beauty within’.

How hot does it get in the Kunene?

The Kunene is one of the warmest places in Namibia, with an average daily high temperature of 33°C/91.4°F.

Who are the Himba people in Namibia?

The Himba people live in the Kunene Region of Namibia. They are semi-nomadic and speak OtjiHimba. They cover their bodies with otjize paste, a mixture of butterfat and ochre pigment to cleanse the skin and protect it from the harsh climate. Otjize symbolises Earth’s rich red colour and blood, the essence of life.

Kunene featured stories

Wilderness Namibia newsletters - May 2024

Join us as we explore Wilderness Namibia and the highlights May brought into each of our camps.

Wilderness Blogger

Wilderness Nominated for Condé Nast Traveler’s Readers’ Choice Awards

Wilderness has been nominated for the coveted Condé Nast Traveler’s Readers’ Choice Awards.

A brown hyena a day

Falling in love with hyenas, researcher Emsie Verwey guides us through her extraordinary discovery a...

Emsie Verwey

Let’s plan your next journey

When we say we’re there every step of the way, we mean it, literally. From planning the perfect circuit, to private inter-camp transfers on Wilderness Air, and easing you through Customs. We’re with you on the ground, at your side, 24-7, from start to finish. Ready to take the road less travelled? Contact our Travel Designers to plan an unforgettable journey.

Need some inspiration?

Be inspired by the latest news from Wilderness. Subscribe to our newsletter.

UK Edition Change

• UK Politics
• News Videos
• Paris 2024 Olympics
• Rugby Union
• Sport Videos
• John Rentoul
• Mary Dejevsky
• Andrew Grice
• Sean O’Grady
• Photography
• Theatre & Dance
• Culture Videos
• Fitness & Wellbeing
• Food & Drink
• Health & Families
• Royal Family
• Electric Vehicles
• Car Insurance Deals
• Lifestyle Videos
• UK Hotel Reviews
• News & Advice
• Simon Calder
• Australia & New Zealand
• South America
• C. America & Caribbean
• Middle East
• Politics Explained
• News Analysis
• Today’s Edition
• Home & Garden
• Broadband deals
• Fashion & Beauty
• Travel & Outdoors
• Sports & Fitness
• Sustainable Living
• Climate Videos
• Solar Panels
• Behind The Headlines
• On The Ground
• Decomplicated
• You Ask The Questions
• Binge Watch
• Travel Smart
• Watch on your TV
• Crosswords & Puzzles
• Most Commented
• Newsletters
• Ask Me Anything
• Virtual Events
• Betting Sites
• Online Casinos
• Wine Offers

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged in Please refresh your browser to be logged in

The Independent's journalism is supported by our readers. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn commission.  

Namibia: A wildlife safari in the Kunene region offers substance over style

Article bookmarked.

Find your bookmarks in your Independent Premium section, under my profile

Sign up to Simon Calder’s free travel email for expert advice and money-saving discounts

Get simon calder’s travel email, thanks for signing up to the simon calder’s travel email.

Russell Vinjevold, our guide, broke into the soppiest of smiles. "Will you just look at that little chap!" To many bush-hardened southern Africans, a baby elephant sheltering under its mother's belly is not necessarily something to get gooey about. After all, many parts of Africa have more elephants than they can handle, and tiny, shy, week-old babies with improbably delicate-looking trunks soon grow into tree-wreckers.

But in the arid Kunene region of north-west Namibia, elephants are rare enough for each new arrival to seem special – and our guide is looking as proud and teary as if he'd delivered the animal himself.

Beautiful though this section of the Namib Desert is to visit, it's a tough place to be an elephant. Kunene is not exactly fertile: the most its ochre and bone-coloured sands can muster are patches of sun-bleached grass. Rain is a precious thing. The temperature can soar above 45C, the heat so dry you barely feel yourself sweating. And given that an elephant could drain a safari camp plunge pool at one sitting (in Zimbabwe's Hwange National Park, I've seen one do exactly that) it's amazing that these thirsty creatures can survive here at all.

A small, hardy population of about 600 clings on by sticking to the mopane-shaded riverbeds that score the Namib from east to west, snaking across to the Skeleton Coast. Most of these channels are less than 100 miles long; drive along one or, better still, camp beside one, and you're likely to see a herd or two.

The dry channel we're exploring, the Hoarusib, is typical. For a few brief days between November and March, rain pummels the crumpled mountains west of Etosha and the river floods with violent force. For the rest of the year, it's totally parched. But the Kunene elephants are canny enough to cope.

It's believed that elephants can map out far-flung waterholes in their mind's eye, passing their knowledge from generation to generation. The Kunene herds take this to the next level: they can pinpoint unseen supplies so accurately that you'd think their tusks were divining rods.

"This river may look bone dry to you," says Russell, switching the engine of our 4x4 back on, "but to these guys, it's a 50km oasis." With that, he drives us to a spot where, earlier, the baby's herd had been gouging at the sand to dig down to the watertable. Having drunk their fill, they had continued along the riverbed as casually as a family of shoppers cruising a busy high street.

Russell is the fixer behind a tourism initiative, Conservancy Safaris, which introduces visitors to the desert and is owned by the Himba and Herero people. They are pastoralists who share this challenging environment with the elephants. Like them, they have had to adapt to its demands.

The Kunene region is breathtakingly remote, but tourism is not new here, and the Himba and Herero know they're part of the attraction. The standard pattern is for safari companies to breeze in, camp for a few days, and breeze out, pausing all too briefly to admire the landscapes, the wildlife and the locals – the Herero women in their voluminous cotton frocks, and the Himba with their ochre-daubed hair and skin.

Conservancy Safaris aims to change this by welcoming visitors as guests, rather than passers-by, and ensuring an appropriate proportion of their cash benefits development projects that provide the community with fresh water and basic healthcare.

So much for the theory; it nevertheless takes a leap of faith to entrust your hard-earned holiday funds to a company owned by a scattered group of herders.

However, while trips with Conservancy Safaris may not be cheap, they're not the gamble you might think. Anders Johansson, a Swedish philanthropist, has provided a generous loan. And, with the support of local experts in tourism, wildlife and land management, the company is run by a professional team.

"We're not interested in organising luxury safaris that are all style-over-substance," Russell says. "One thing that's hard to buy, but that people seem to crave, is authenticity. By offering an insider's view of this amazing region, we can make our trips meaningful."

So far, they seem to have the balance right. Nights are spent under canvas, in picturesque sites – a camelthorn glade one day, a nook beneath a sun-baked escarpment the next. The tents and the campfire food are superb in a back-to-basics way; the biggest nod to luxury is that you don't have to whack in a single tent-pole nor stir a single pot. Pleasingly, you're not pampered with embarrassing extravagances – so, no camp chairs dressed up in muslin covers, no silly luxury toiletries beside the long-drop. Let's call it ethical camping for softies.

Bringing in Russell was the icing on the cake. He is an experienced safari guide with just the right attitude. Some guides reckon they're the rock stars of the bush, all gung-ho antics and hair-raising camp-fire tales, but Russell takes care not to upstage the gorgeous landscapes. When we see animals, we watch them quietly, taking our time; when we encounter people, be they herders, shopkeepers or top-ranking conservationists (he knows quite a few), he introduces us, and lets the conversation take its course. He also has a fascination for indigenous animals that is utterly contagious.

Elephants are by no means the only creatures to eke out a life here. Every so often, as we roam the desert in the 4x4, Russell's hand twitches on the steering wheel and we know he's about to point out something new – giraffes framed against a rugged hillside, or a flurry of ostriches tearing through the shimmering haze. Both have evolved to survive on the meagre quantities of water available here.

Occasionally we spot an oryx sheltering under a tree, and discover that these dazed-looking gazelles can turn off their sweat glands to conserve moisture. We learn about the species of beetle which survives by doing handstands on the foggy dunes of the Skeleton Coast, so that

droplets of dew will run down to its mouth. Lions live here too, and, thrillingly, we find some; they have sussed out that if they lurk in the undergrowth that fuzzes the edges of the Hoarusib gorge, sooner or later a herd of springbok will wander through.

Best of all, I decide, are the geckos, even though their survival strategy is more mundane: when the sun is up, they simply hide in sandy burrows. By day, there's no sign of them, but at sunset you can hear them calling – a bright sound, like two stones chinking together – and at night you can pick out their beady little eyes with a torch.

It's still early days for Conservancy Safaris, but it has already scored another first with the quiet opening of Etambura, which is claimed to be Namibia's only community-owned luxury camp. Created by Trevor Knott, a local architect with a flair for weaving his designs around plants and rock formations, it is set on a hilltop in Orupembe, one of the remotest conservancies in Kunene.

Each of the five thatch-roofed buildings has inspiring, wraparound views of the surrounding hills. The community thought hard about its name, settling on Etambura which simply means "see the rain". For a desert people, that's about as powerful an expression of optimism as you can imagine.

Travel essentials: Namibia

Getting there

* Air Namibia (0870 774 0965; airnamibia.com.na ) no longer flies from the UK to Windhoek, but can provide connections from a range of UK airports to Frankfurt to join its flights.

* The usual alternative route is from Heathrow via Cape Town or Johannesburg on South African Airways (0871 722 1111; flysaa.com ). British Airways (0844 493 0787; ba.com ) can offer similar connections. Another possibility: fly to Munich and connect with the weekly flight to Windhoek on Air Berlin (0871 5000 737; airberlin.com ).

* The writer travelled as a guest of Air Namibia and Kamili Safaris (0115 937 7475; kamilisafaris.com ), the UK agent for Conservancy Safaris ( kcs-namibia.com.na ). Prices start at £2,120 for a six-night luxury camping trip in the Kunene region. The price includes full board, ground transport and activities, but not flights to Namibia.

More information

* Namibia Tourism Board: 020-7367 0962; namibiatourism.com.na

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article

Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.

New to The Independent?

Or if you would prefer:

Want an ad-free experience?

Hi {{indy.fullName}}

• My Independent Premium
• Account details
• Help centre

• Central Namibia
• Spitzkoppe area
• Kunene River area
• Etosha Area
• Leopard hunting
• Bird Hunting

Gert van der Walt Hunting Safaris

Namibia, Africa

Kunene River Hunting Area

Click on any photo to see it on a separate page, then click that image for the largest view.

My most exclusive hunting area is the Kunene Conservancy far in the north of Namibia. Only a few safari hunters each year set foot on this place.

The Kunene Conservancy is one of the only places that free roaming black impala can be hunted.

It is an area of 2700 square km that is covered by Mopani bush, big mountains like the Zebra Mountain,  and fountains or springs providing fresh water. The Conservancy has its most northern border against Angola where the Kunene River forms the Namibia/Angola border. Here is also a stronghold of really big crocodiles that can be hunted.

The safari hunting and conservation of the Conservancy are managed by the Ovahimba people. Here you still can see game and livestock graze together and are respected by the people. Most of the people in the area live in 3 big traditional villages. The rest of the Conservancy land is still “Africa as it was.”

Accommodations in this Conservancy are in a lodge.

If you are scheduling a safari in another of our areas, you can add hunting in this area to it. Because this is an exclusive area hunted by only a few hunters per year, please contact me for any more information about the area and hunts in the area.

Hunts in the Kunene are 5 to 14 days. For leopard, allow a minimum of 10 days. For crocodile, allow a minimum of 7 days.

Trophy species hunted in the Kunene Conservancy:

• Black-face Impala
• Klipspringer

Gert van der Walt Safaris

P.O. Box 7294 Swakopmund, Namibia Tel: +264 (0)81 252 8291

Email: [email protected]

Copyright © 2024 · Gert van der Walt

A Guide to the Kunene Region of Namibia

• December 14, 2022 October 24, 2023
• Namibia Nature , News

Tucked away in the north-western corner of Namibia, the Kunene region (previously informally known as Kaokoland,) is the epitome of adventure.

Of all of the Namibia holidays you could experience, time spent travelling along the dusty tracks that twist and turn through the virtually untouched landscape will be time you treasure for the rest of your life. This the epitome of adventure, with indescribably beautiful landscapes, an interesting population of wildlife and an atmosphere of utter peace and tranquillity. The Kunene region is magical, remote and popular with those looking to experience a private and more secluded Namibia safari .

In this know-before-you-go guide, we’re providing a couple of quick facts, tips and generally helpful information to assist you in planning an exciting, guaranteed to be unforgettable trip through the Kunune region of Namibia.

When is the best time to visit the Kunene Region?

For the most part Namibia enjoys hot dry weather for a large part of the year. In this region you can expect a wet and rainy season as well, so well thought out planning is essential. The best time to visit the area is between May and October, when the weather is at its driest. Not only does this minimise the chance of being rained out during your trip, but it also potentially increases wildlife sightings as the animals congregate around water holes when rain is scarce. If you wish to travel between November and March, be sure to pack for the rainy weather whilst also being prepared to deal with some fairly intense heat. The Top 3 Attractions The whole of the Kunene region is an attraction on its own. The ecosystems, landscapes and wildlife all make for an epic adventure, but if you are looking for more specific things to do and places to see, here’s what you can add to your itinerary:

• Kunene River The surrounding land is barren but along the bed of the Kunene River, the landscape is abundantly green. The Kunene River cuts a lazy path through granite rock and all along the banks, wildlife can be seen drinking their fill and keeping cool in the hot desert heat. The river is a welcome sight after a day of travel and along its banks are various lodges and campsites, many of which offer some of the finest accommodation in Namibia.
• Epupa Falls Nestled in the north west of the Kunene region, the awe-inspiring Epupa Falls is one of the most popular attractions in Namibia and a must visit when you are in the area. Around the falls you can see all sorts of incredible flowers, birds and trees, with ancient Baobab trees and Makalani Palms being a particularly beautiful sight to behold. If you are lucky, you may catch sight of a crocodile enjoying a swim in one of the waterfall’s pools.
• Opuwo Home to the Himba people of Namibia, Opuwo is the capital of the Kunene region and one of the best places to learn about this fascinating tribe. Many Himba people still live much according to the ancient ways of their ancestors, and you can gain an insight into their customs and traditions during a visit to the Ovahimba Living Museum.

Popular Namibia Safari Holidays Which Visit the Kunene Region

At ATC Namibia we offer our guests both fly-in tours, or conventional safari options per road. Here are some tours which include a visit to the Kunene region:

• Best of Namibia (Guided Safari) On day 4 of this superb tour of Namibia, guests head into the Kunene region for a day of adventure with the evening stay at the Twyfelfontein Country Lodge. Guests may be fortunate enough to see the free-roaming desert elephants.

• Best of Namibia Wilderness (Fly Safari) Continuing on from Windhoek, Sossusvlei and Swakopmund, on day 6 of this safari per charter flight the journey takes you along the west coast of Namibia and into the Kunene region. There you can look forward to participating in 2 exciting activities and spending the night in the fabulous Doro Nawas Adventure Camp.

• 15 Days Namibia Photo Adventure Safari (Photographic Guided Tour) An outstanding Namibia tour perfect for both professional and amateur photographers, this tour has guests heading to the Kunene region on day 6. Walk through the same areas where once the hunter-gatherers of the past searched for food and painted rocks tell the story of these ancient people. Numerous artefacts and tools have been discovered here over time, alongside the paintings.

• Three Countries Adventures Safari (Guided Tour) This exciting tour takes guests into three different countries, through Namibia and on to Botswana and Zimbabwe. In the Kunene region on days 6 & 7, enjoy exciting exploration and the opportunity to get to know the Himba tribe with their unique and enthralling customs and traditional way of living.

• Kaokoland Guided Tour The ultimate tour of this region of Namibia, this safari consists of an unforgettable 15 days in and around the area, giving guests ample time to experience all of the magic the Kunene region has to offer. Guests will travel from Windhoek and spend exhilerating days exploring, before travelling on to the Etosha National Park and finally returning to Windhoek.

Planning your Kaokoland Trip

With an impressive array of Namibia tour packages available, selecting your ideal itinerary and choosing your preferred mode of travel is all part of the holiday fun. ATC Namibia offer scheduled tours, self-drive or charter-fly-in options and we also offer tailor-made packages to best suit your requirements. We are passionate about our unique African nation and we offer our guests a once-in-a-lifetime travel experience when booking with ATC Namibia. Our Namibia tour package prices are budget friendly and when booking one of our tours, you can be sure that an unforgettable experience awaits you.

Pin It on Pinterest

• Name and Surname * First
• Country of Residence *
• Phone Number *
• Additional Requests?

• Name This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Kunene Region

An official website of the United States government

Here's how you know

The .gov means it’s official. Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

The site is secure. A lock ( ) or https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Keyboard Navigation

• Agriculture and Food Security
• Anti-Corruption
• Conflict Prevention and Stabilization
• Democracy, Human Rights, and Governance
• Economic Growth and Trade
• Environment, Energy, and Infrastructure
• Gender Equality and Women's Empowerment
• Global Health
• Humanitarian Assistance
• Innovation, Technology, and Research
• Water and Sanitation
• Burkina Faso
• Central Africa Regional
• Central African Republic
• Côte d’Ivoire
• Democratic Republic of the Congo
• East Africa Regional
• Power Africa
• Republic of the Congo
• Sahel Regional
• Sierra Leone
• South Africa
• South Sudan
• Southern Africa Regional
• West Africa Regional
• Afghanistan
• Central Asia Regional
• Indo-Pacific
• Kyrgyz Republic
• Pacific Islands
• Philippines
• Regional Development Mission for Asia
• Timor-Leste
• Turkmenistan
• Bosnia and Herzegovina
• North Macedonia
• Central America and Mexico Regional Program
• Dominican Republic
• Eastern and Southern Caribbean
• El Salvador
• Middle East Regional Platform
• West Bank and Gaza
• Dollars to Results
• Data Resources
• Strategy & Planning
• Budget & Spending
• Performance and Financial Reporting
• FY 2023 Agency Financial Report
• Records and Reports
• Budget Justification
• Our Commitment to Transparency
• Policy and Strategy
• How to Work with USAID
• Find a Funding Opportunity
• Organizations That Work With USAID
• Resources for Partners
• Get involved
• Business Forecast
• Safeguarding and Compliance
• Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility
• Mission, Vision and Values
• News & Information
• Operational Policy (ADS)
• Organization
• Stay Connected
• USAID History
• Video Library
• Coordinators
• Nondiscrimination Notice and Civil Rights
• Collective Bargaining Agreements
• Disabilities Employment Program
• Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey
• Reasonable Accommodations
• Urgent Hiring Needs
• Vacancy Announcements
• Search Search Search

Ecosystems, Communities and Climate - Cubango - Okavango (ECCO)

September 2022 – September 2027 Total Funding: $7.5 million

The Cubango-Okavango Basin is one of the most biodiverse habitats in Africa, providing water for more than 1 million people whose lives depend on these waters for drinking, fishing, forestry, agriculture, the harvesting of natural resources, and tourism. The near pristine river system is home to a biological diversity of species and ecosystems and covers approximately 323,000 square kilometers, about half of which is in Angola. Balancing sustainable development and conservation of these critical natural resources is vital. The Angolan highlands supply 95 percent of the water that sustains the Okavango Delta. The future of the Cubango-Okavango and the biodiversity and people that share this landscape depend on decisions made in southeastern Angola. Designated as a United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) world heritage site and one of the top African safari destinations, the Cubango-Okavango River Delta owes its existence to the Cubango-Okavango River’s headwaters in Angola. This flow of water creates a unique desert river basin, filled with peatlands and forests, that, in addition to providing sanctuary for wildlife, acts as a carbon sink.

However, land use change, water diversion, natural resources exploitation, and urbanization now threaten the future of the Cubango-Okavango River and the valuable ecosystem services it provides.

OBJECTIVES AND APPROACH

The Ecosystems, Communities and Climate – Cubango-Okavango (ECCO) activity is a five-year program with $7.5 million of USAID funding and $10 million of private sector leveraged funding to support communities of the upper Cubango-Okavango to keep it both wild and prosperous — where conservation protects the landscape's vital resources and improves human well-being.

The Nature Conservancy (TNC) leads implementation through a consortium of partners including local NGOs (Development Workshop, ADPP, and ACADIR), transboundary institutions including the Permanent Okavango River Basin Water Commission (OKACOM) and private sector companies (Gesto, BCP, CQuest Capital, Sun Africa, KixiCredito), to improve livelihoods and conserve biodiversity in Angola’s ecologically, hydrologically, and economically critical Upper Cubango-Okavango basin region. The objectives of ECCO are to:

1. Promote livelihoods biodiversity, forest and climate resilience. 2. Support community-led governance of water supply and sanitation services. 3. Strengthen cross-sector landscape collaboration for biodiversity and human well-being.

These efforts upstream will help sustain the Cubango-Okavango Basin and its unique natural values, improve people's lives, and foster vibrant and sustainable economies in Angola, Namibia, and Botswana. This activity directly supports the Defending Economic Livelihoods and Threatened Animals Act of 2018, which calls on the U.S. to engage with a wide range of partners to support inclusive economic growth through conservation and biodiversity programs that facilitate transboundary cooperation, improve water and natural resource management, and build local capacity to protect and preserve threatened wildlife species in the greater Cubango-Okavango River Basin and neighboring watersheds and conservation areas.

EXPECTED RESULTS 

• Communities empowered to plan, manage, govern, and monitor their resources effectively
• Communities have the skills, knowledge, and partnerships to develop and implement community-led conservation-based enterprises such as sustainable fisheries and community cooperatives that increase economic opportunities and reduce threats to biodiversity
• Improved access to sustainable water supply, sanitation and clean energy
• Improved protection of biodiversity and ecosystem services including carbon sequestration
• Increased inclusive livelihoods opportunities targeting women and marginalized populations