Guided Visit to a Himba Village

Duration: ± 3 hours
Includes: Soft drinks & water

Step into the living culture of the Himba people with a guided visit to a traditional homestead near Epupa Falls. Your guide will introduce you to the family, facilitate respectful interaction, and act as translator throughout the visit.

The Himba are one of Africa’s last semi-nomadic communities, still deeply rooted in ancestral traditions, customs, and daily practices. These villages are authentic homesteads, not staged for tourism, offering a genuine cultural exchange. Photography is permitted with respect and consent.

Depending on interest and time, visits may also include a stop at a traditional Himba graveyard or the local primary school, offering further insight into community life in this remote region.

Due to Epupa’s remote location—approximately 180 km from Opuwo, the nearest town, support is provided to the village in the form of food supplies rather than cash contributions, helping sustain daily needs in a practical way.

Visits typically depart after breakfast, when village life is most active and conditions are ideal for cultural engagement.

Includes: Guide, transport, village contribution, soft drinks, and water.

Guided Sundowner Drive

Duration: ± 1.5 hours

End your day with a memorable sunset experience at Epupa Falls. Departing from Epupa Camp in open safari-style vehicles, you will travel to a scenic hilltop viewpoint overlooking the falls, perfectly positioned for sunset.

Before reaching the sundowner spot, there is often an opportunity for a short walk near the falls, allowing you to experience the cascading water and surrounding landscape up close. The Kunene River plunges approximately 40 metres over a series of cascades stretching about 1.5 km, known in Angola as the Monte Negro Falls.

As the sun sets, watch the dramatic contrast of white mist rising from the falls against the warm red rock formations of Kaokoland. This is a truly atmospheric moment, ideal for photography and quiet reflection.

Enjoy sundowner drinks of your choice accompanied by light snacks served by your guide while taking in the panoramic views.

After sunset, return to Epupa Camp in time to freshen up before dinner.

Includes: Guide, transport, community levy contribution, beverages, and snacks.

Rafting on the Kunene River - Duration: ± 3 hours

Experience one of Namibia’s most refreshing adventures on the Kunene River. This scenic rafting excursion offers a unique perspective of the lush river oasis set against the dramatic, arid landscapes of Kaokoland.

Guests are transported upstream in open safari-style vehicles to the starting point, where qualified guides provide all necessary equipment and a full safety briefing. The experience is relaxed and unhurried, allowing ample time to take in the scenery, capture photos, and enjoy a midway stop with refreshments.

Choose between 2-seater rafts for a more hands-on, interactive experience, or 8-seater rafts where guides handle the paddling and steering, ideal for those who prefer to sit back and enjoy the ride. No previous rafting experience is required, although some light paddling is involved.

Helmets, life jackets, and dry bags for cameras and personal belongings are provided. Rates include guides, transport, equipment, and soft drinks.

This is not white-water rafting, but rather a gentle and immersive river journey, widely regarded as the camp’s most popular activity. Please note that rafting is subject to river conditions and may not operate during periods of flooding or very low water levels (typically December/January).

Departures: 09:00 & 14:00 daily
Minimum: 2 guests

Duration: Flexible / POR

The Kunene River and surrounding area offer a variety of habitats for birds with ±240 recorded species.

For birders, we can offer three kind of experiences:

River raft on the Kunene River with river guide (for the paddling) and a birding guide,

Hiking along the river and at Epupa Falls with a birding guide,

Guided drive towards the mountains and hiking in a beautiful gorge with a birding guide.

Recently (May 2025) the Angola Cave-Chat has been spotted by our birding guide and guests. The Rufous-tailed Palm Thrush is a permanent resident at Epupa Camp.

Due to the nature of this activity it will be exclusive for guests interested in birding.

The vivid colours and chirps of the colourful birds will definitely give you a soothing experience. We’ve named a few of the many species of birds that you’ll watch. See below:

* Rufous-tailed Palm-Thrush (a permanent resident at our camp)
* Monteiro’s Hornbill
* African Paradise
* Goliath Heron
* African Fish-Eagle
* Bee-eaters
* Kingfishers ranging from the giant to the tiny Malachite Kingfisher
* Bulbuls, rollers (Purple, Lilac-breasted and European)
* Rosy Faced Lovebird
* Golden, Spectacled and Lesser Masked-Weaver Sunbirds.

Exclusive birding trips need to be booked well in advance.

GUIDED HIKES AT AND AROUND THE EPUPA FALLS
Enjoy stunning views of the Kunene River, snaking through the deserted landscape.

The Kunene region has an estimated one person per square kilometer population density.

Depending on your interests, we offer guided walks to one of the following:

* Hike around the Epupa Falls guides to a white beach at the bottom of the falls.
* Into the surrounding hills to explore the fauna and flora of this riverine area and beyond.
* The crocodile trail is a 3 km walk upstream with a good chance of seeing crocodiles.
Birding walks at Epupa Falls and the surrounding area.

Explore the flora and fauna and enjoy the breathtaking view of Kaokoland with our hiking services.

Admire the stunning views of the Kunene, snaking through the deserted landscape. During your hike, you will likely come across Bushman’s poison bushes with their beautiful but deadly pink flowers and large Euphorbia bushes.

The poisonous milky-white latex of these bushes was used by the San and Himba for hunting. You’ll also come across the makalani palms, mopane scrub, and the flat-topped umbrella thorn named Acacia Tortilis.