Overview–namibia

Kaokoland

Kaokoland is a genuine wilderness area. The desert scenery is breathtaking and inhospitable at the same time. There is scattered wildlife around, including desert elephants, but this is not a wildlife-viewing destination as densities are very low. The area is the ancestral home of the proud Himba people and a visit to a tribal village is highly recommended.

Best Time to Visit

Kaokoland can be visited throughout the year, but the climate is most pleasant during the winter months, from May to September. The region turns a stunning green after rainfall, but the exact timing of the rains is hard to predict, and it doesn't rain much during the Wet season. Wildlife viewing is hit-and-miss throughout the year.

May to October –Dry Season – Winter

Pleasant weather (October can get hot)
Blue skies and sunny weather
July to November is the high season and high season rates may apply
The sky can be hazy

November to April –Wet Season – Summer

The rains are a relief and it rarely rains for long
The scenery turns greener after rainfall and the skies are clear
Migrant birds are present and birding is at its best
Low-season rates may apply
It tends to be very hot
If visiting both Kaokoland and Etosha, wildlife viewing in Etosha isn't very productive at this time

Scenery

Most of Kaokoland is a true desert set within incredible mountain scenery. The environment can be somewhat challenging to the eye in the midday sun. However, when the sun rises and sets and the ripples in the sand glow in an orange-red cast among the deep shadows falling over the dunes, it’s impossible not to appreciate the stark beauty.

Excellent

Good

Fair

Poor

April

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sept

Jan

Feb

Mar

Oct

Nov

Dec

Rates

From: $186 to $1,272 pp/day

Best Time to Go

From: April to December (Cool temperatures)

High Season

From: July to November (It never gets busy)

Size

From: 40,000km² / 18,515,444mi²

Wildlife & Animals

Kaokoland is not, primarily, a wildlife destination. The very remote desert wilderness doesn’t support large populations of animals, but gemsbok, springbok and Hartmann's mountain zebra are scattered throughout the area. The Kunene River, which forms the border between Namibia and Angola, harbors many nile crocodiles as well as a few hippos.

Wildlife Highlights

Although most visitors don’t come here to see wildlife, everybody hopes to catch a glimpse of the sought-after desert elephant. They are, however, easier to track further south in the more accessible Damaraland region. The area is home to a wide variety of small reptiles including the endemic desert chameleon.

Best Time for Wildlife Viewing

Wildlife viewing is hit-and-miss throughout the year. Therefore, Kaokoland is best visited in the cooler, temperate months of May through September.

General Wheather

Kaokoland is a desert with typical big differences in night and day temperatures. The graph above illustrates averages, though temperatures can build to well above 38°C/100°F and freezing temperatures can occur during winter nights (May to October).

There is a Wet season (November to April) during the summer, although it never rains that much, and occasional thunderstorms can be expected. Wintertime is dry.

Dry Season –May to October – Winter

Hardly any rain occurs during the winter season, which is also the coolest time of year. Drought increases as the season continues.

May, June, July & August – Afternoon temperatures of 23°C/73°F are common, although mornings are quite chilly (11°C/52°F) and require warm clothing. Despite it being the coolest time of year, the sun is almost always shining. Drought is typical.
September & October – Temperatures increase as winter comes to an end. Daytime averages of 26°C/79°F are the norm. Early mornings are cool at around 15°C/59°F. The rainy season starts somewhere between the end of October and the beginning of November.

Wet Season –November to April – Summer

Although rainfall is still low during this time of year, it is considered the Wet season. Temperatures are hot, and the sun is generally out all day. Random thundershowers occur, but not daily. Early morning temperatures are pleasant at 17°C/63°F.

November & December – Thundershowers begin in the month of November, although they don’t occur regularly. Temperatures can build to much higher than the average of 27°C/81°F, reaching 38°C/100°F or more.
January, February & March – Although it’s mostly sunny during the day, thunderstorms occur during the afternoons with some regularity. The average daytime temperature of 26°C/79°F shows how the rain can lower temperatures overall, but they can also spike higher than that.
April – Rain slows and temperatures cool during April. Average daily temperatures of 25°C/77°F are typical.

Prons

Great wilderness experience
Stunning desert scenery
Opportunity to see rare desert elephants
Opportunity to visit a Himba village

Cons

Low densities and variety of wildlife
Very remote destination
Few accommodation options
Very hot climate

How To Get There

Most visitors to Kaokoland fly by chartered plane to one of the few lodges in the area. Driving independently is not recommended unless you have experience in these kinds of hard-core expeditions. The area is totally undeveloped and remote. Anybody driving through it must possess ample 4x4 skills, carry plenty of supplies, and, ideally, travel in convoy with another vehicle.

Kaokoland is usually booked as part of a fly-in safari and visitors can fly here from Windhoek (the main point of entry into Namibia) or any other park or reserve in the country. Hosea Kutako International Airport (WDH) is located 40km/25 mi east of Windhoek.

Your tour operator will most likely book all charter flights for you. There are currently no scheduled domestic flights to Kaokoland.

Airlines & Ticket Prices

Please check Skyscanner to see which airlines can take you to Hosea Kutako International Airport (WDH) and what tickets would cost.