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Set in the foothills of the Grootberg Massif, the Etendeka Overnight Walking Trail Experience offers an authentic and exhilarating engagement with nature. The experience involves trekking through one of Namibia’s most remote and untouched landscapes and sleeping under the stars. Guests are joined by expert guides who share valuable information throughout the journey.
The experience utilises two rustic overnight camps that make the most of sleeping under the breathtaking desert sky. The five sleeping platforms are raised off the ground to ensure that guests are safe and comfortable and all of the platforms feature bathrooms and shaded areas. Guests can enjoy wholesome meals cooked and eaten around an open fire. Breakfast, packed Lunch, dinner, afternoon tea and coffee, and all local drinks are included in the cost.
Set in the foothills of the Grootberg Massif is a unique new offering from the Etendeka Lodge Company and the Etendeka Community Trust (comprising the Anabeb and Omatendeka Community Conservancies). The experience promises to be an authentic and exhilarating engagement with nature. Trek through one of Nambia’s most remote and untouched landscapes on foot, have sundowners as you look out over never ending vistas of ancient rock formations and sleep under a blanket of stars. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to connect with nature.
Join some of Namibia’s most experienced and knowledgeable guides as they introduce you to the incredible life that lies largely hidden in this seemingly harsh but breathtaking landscape. With magnificent views of the ancient Etendeka basalt lava flows and flat top mountains, these rocky plains are home to an array of desert adapted plants and animals. Our passionate guides know the area intimately and will share anecdotes and information about this geologically rich and diverse environment. Track through dry Mopani shaded river beds and past other-worldly rocky outcrops as our guides identify spoor, indigenous animal, bird and plant species. Exploring this terrain on foot is a heightened and invigorating meeting of man and nature.
Namibia is one of the top destinations in the world for stargazing with its unusually dark night skies. On a cloudless night you will be overwhelmed by the spectacular sight of the Milky Way stretching overhead.
The two rustic overnight camps make the most of sleeping under the breathtaking desert sky. The five sleeping platforms are raised off the ground to ensure that guests are safe and comfortable, while having the unparalleled experience of falling asleep to the night sounds of the wilderness under a starry sky. Comfortable beds and ‘bed-rolls’ are your bed for the night, each contain a 100% cotton linen sheet, down duvets and pillow for your comfort.
Each sleeping platform is equipped with a flush toilet and basin attached to the platform.
The sleeping platforms have a shaded area for that well-deserved afternoon siesta but the shade folds away at night so that you can fall asleep to the beauty of the open skies (weather permitting). There are communal open-air bathrooms including the typical much loved Etendeka Bucket Shower situated between the platforms.
We do not believe in dictating to guests how fit they need to be in order to partake in this experience. Good health, and a good level of fitness, paired with a love for the outdoors, is the perfect combination. Any person above the age of 12 years who is in good physical condition and is capable of walking for 6 to 7 hours should be able to undertake this adventure. Be aware that the heat is an additional consideration and guests should come prepared with a hat and sun screen. It remains the guest’s responsibility to ensure that they are healthy and fit enough to undertake and enjoy this activity.
Etendeka Mountain Camp reserves the right to disallow any guests on the trail who may not be healthy or fit enough to safely undertake the Walking Experience.
Remember day and night temperatures can vary so always pack something warm for the evening.
Your safety remains our focus as you experience what this desert wilderness has to share. Our guides do not carry weapons but are very well trained to avoid conflict with wild animals. In case of emergency, our guides are in touch, via hand held radios, with the camp who can provide first aid or evacuation support if necessary. We strongly recommend that all guests take out travel and medical insurance for the duration of their stay in Namibia and on the Etendeka Concession. Please be aware that the Etendeka Concession is in a very remote area in Namibia and there is no close-by rescue service, Etendeka Lodge Company does have suitable Evacuation Insurance in the unlikely event that a guest needs emergency evacuation.
Choose either the 2 or 3 night experience with the additional option of extending your experience with a night or two at the original Etendeka Mountain Camp.
Day 1: Palmwag Lodge pick up point to River Camp
Meet at Palmwag Lodge on the Uinab River at the normal pickup time and point for Etendeka Mountain Camp. Hand your luggage over to the driver who will safely deliver your luggage to the River Camp. Start your walk from Palmwag Lodge into the Etendeka Concession for approximately 2 to 3 hours to your 1st overnight camp. The scenery is incredible as you access the concession on foot and look out onto the pristine rocky plains set against the Namibian sky. Your experienced guide will give you a sense of what awaits as he identifies desert plants and trees. Keen birders and photographers should have their binoculars and cameras on hand.
Day 2: River Camp to Hill Camp
After your first night under the stars wake up early to the sounds and smells of the wilderness. Enjoy a full cooked breakfast, pack your travel snacks and water bottles into the backpacks provided and start your walk to Hill Camp. The route is spectacular and your guide will be able to identify animal spoor and share information about the history of the area. Stop en route for refreshments and aim to reach Hill Camp by early-afternoon for a late lunch and siesta. The distance of this walk is between 15km and 20km and should take about 6 to 7 hours, including stops, depending on the groups fitness level. Hill Camp is situated on the top of Crystal Mountain with spectacular views and an abundance of crystals and exquisite rock formations. In the afternoon you will be able to do a short sundowner walk around the plateau. Guests will enjoy a simple but delicious and wholesome dinner around the fire. Settle in on your sleeping platform perched on the edge of the mountain and enjoy the night under the stars.
Day 3: Hill Camp to Hill Camp or departure
•Guests who have booked the two-night experience; will enjoy a short morning walk or transfer down to Etendeka Mountain Camp and get the scenic nature drive back to Palmwag Lodge or opt to stay an additional night at Etendeka Mountain Camp.
•Guests who have booked the three-night experience; after an early rise, enjoy breakfast and embark on a 5 to 6 hour walk around Crystal Mountain and down into the valley below. Return to camp for lunch, afternoon siesta followed by a short sundowner walk in the afternoon. Overnight at Hill Camp.
Day 4: A short walk down to Etendeka Mountain Camp where you have the option of picking up the scenic nature drive back to Palmwag Lodge or opt to stay an additional night at Etendeka Mountain Camp.
Sleeping Platforms
The five sleeping platforms are raised off the ground to ensure that guests are safe and comfortable, while having the unparalleled experience of falling asleep to the night sounds of the wilderness under a starry sky. Comfortable beds and ‘bed-rolls’ are your bed for the night, each contain a 100% cotton linen sheet, down duvets and pillow for your comfort.
Each sleeping platform is equipped with a flush toilet and basin attached to the platform.
The sleeping platforms have a shaded area for that well-deserved afternoon siesta but the shade folds away at night so that you can fall asleep to the beauty of the open skies (weather permitting). There are communal open-air bathrooms including the typical much loved Etendeka Bucket Shower situated between the platforms.
The Etendeka Walking Trails Experience is offered with the following included:
•Breakfast, packed snacks, light lunch, dinner, afternoon tea and coffee
•Use of day pack, water bottle & walking stick
• “Back-to-basics” hiking experience with knowledgeable guide
•Sleeping under the stars on raised platforms in canvas bed-rolls and 100% cotton linen and down duvets
•Luggage transportation between overnight camps
•Scenic transfer back to pick-up point
Note: All drinks are excluded
Starting time from the Etendeka parking area at Palmwag Lodge at 16h00!
The Etendeka Overnight Walking Trail Experience promises to be an authentic and exhilarating engagement with nature. Trek through one of Namibia’s most remote and untouched landscapes on foot, have sundowners as you look out over never-ending vistas of ancient rock formations and sleep under a blanket of stars. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to connect with nature.
Meet at Palmwag Lodge at 16h00, hand your luggage over to the driver who will safely deliver it to your 1st overnight camp, River Camp. Start your walk from Palmwag Lodge into the Etendeka Concession for approximately 2 to 3 hours to River Camp. View the full 2 or 3 night Walking Trail Experience itinerary on the included documentation.
Terms & Conditions:
Reservations & Cancellations
Minimum 2 nights stay required!
Group size: Minimum of 2 guests, limited to maximum 10 guests.
2 or 3 overnight walking trail option (can be combined with an overnight stay at Etendeka Mountain Camp).
All reservations must be confirmed in writing. A 50% deposit is required to confirm any booking,
with the remaining balance to be settled 31 days prior to the travel date.
Provisional reservations will be held for a maximum period of 14 days from the date of requesting the reservation, after which the reservation will automatically be released.
A percentage of the quoted room rate will be charged for rooms that are cancelled within 60 days of the date of the reservation, as follows:
Within 60 days - 10%
Within 31 days – 25%
Within 21 days – 50%
Within 14 days – 75%
Within 7 days – 100%
NO SHOW - 100%
A 10% handling fee, based on the deposit amount paid, will be deducted from any refunds made due to cancellations 60 days before the date of travel.
Please note: All rates are subject to change without prior notice due to reasons not limited to currency fluctuation, increase in fuel prices, increase in government taxes and levies and/or
unforeseen economic circumstances.
Children’s policy
We regret that the Walking Trail is not suitable for children under 12 years of age.
Much of the charm of Etendeka lies in its tranquil wilderness setting and may therefore not always be appreciated by all children. It is a condition therefore that adults accompanying children over 12 years of age take full responsibility for the conduct and safety of their children.
Fitness level required:
Anyone who is in a reasonably fit condition and is capable of walking continuously for 6 to 7 hours in the heat of the day should be able to undertake this adventure. It remains the guest’s responsibility to ensure that they are healthy enough and fit enough to undertake this activity.
Please refer to the Fact and Information sheets for further details.
Sleeping Arrangement Facilities
Bath Towels, Bed Linen, Bucket Shower, Camp Beds, Foam Mattress, Hand Towels, LED Camp Lights, Solid Base Camp Beds