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Aug 2, 2026 : Colleen Wilson and Lane EarlyUncategorized
Caravan Travel and Tips for Planning a Thru Hike in Namibia, Africa
Of all seven continents we planned to visit this year, Africa was the only one we intentionally planned well in advance and the one I was most excited about. Part of that excitement came from knowing our primary mode of transportation would be a caravan rather than our own two feet, but mostly it was because the landscapes and wildlife would be unlike anything I had ever experienced.
When we first started researching Africa, Morocco seemed like the obvious choice. Logistically it made the most sense, and we had our sights set on thru hiking the Atlas Mountains. During our research, however, we learned that many High Atlas trekking routes require hiring a licensed guide due to regulations introduced after a series of safety incidents. That sent us back to the drawing board.
Planning this around-the-world trip really began during our annual work season in Antarctica. I always tell people that Antarctica is one of the best places in the world to plan an adventure. You’re surrounded by an incredible collection of knowledgeable coworkers and guests from every corner of the globe. Since everyone shares communal meals, conversations almost always drift toward travel.
That’s where the idea of visiting Namibia was born.
Lane and I knew almost nothing about Namibia before a coworker began telling us about it. He described how easy it was to travel independently, how well the country caters to self-drive tourism, and how incredible the landscapes were. It didn’t take much convincing or much additional research to realize this was exactly the adventure we were looking for. We could even see four of Africa’s Big Five animals during the trip.
Within weeks, Lane and I were sitting inside our three-person tent (our home in Antarctica) booking flights to South Africa, where our African caravan adventure would begin. From there we planned to explore several bucket-list destinations before heading north through Namibia, spending most of our time visiting national parks along the way.
We even found an 75-mile thru hike that looked like the perfect adventure.
Setbacks
If you’re planning an overnight backpacking trip in Namibia, there are a few things you absolutely need to know. You can’t simply show up at the trailhead and start hiking like you often can in the United States or many other countries.
For an overnight backpacking trip in Namibia, here’s what you’ll need:
- Reserve your hiking permit well in advance. Dates often fill up months ahead.
- Obtain a medical certificate signed by a doctor confirming you’re fit enough to complete the hike.
- Hike in a group of at least three people for safety reasons.
- Be prepared to follow the park’s equipment recommendations. Official guidance favors sturdy hiking boots over lightweight trail runners because of the rugged terrain.
One workaround for the three-person minimum is joining one of the Naukluft hiking Facebook groups. It’s fairly common for smaller parties to connect with another permitted group before the hike begins.
Two of Namibia’s Best Multi-Day Hikes
- Naukluft Trailin the Naukluft Mountains (generally considered Namibia’s premier backpacking route)
- Fish River Canyon Trail, which descends into Africa’s largest canyon and one of the largest canyons on Earth. It’s considered the second largest canyon in the world, behind Grand Canyon National Park.
Because of the permit requirements and our last-minute planning, we ultimately decided to skip the backpacking portion of the trip and fully embrace the road trip instead.
After finishing the challenging 800-mile Hayduke Trail only weeks earlier, the change in pace was exactly what we needed. Trading hiking shoes for a steering wheel and our backpacking tent for a fully equipped caravan felt downright luxurious.
Road Trip Highlights
Here’s our home on wheels.
Our caravan included a queen-sized bed, kitchen, dining area, bathroom, outdoor seating, and even an outdoor cooking space. We honestly couldn’t imagine a better way to experience South Africa and Namibia.
The caravan parks were unlike anything I’d experienced before. Both countries are incredibly well set up for independent road travel, with campgrounds scattered throughout the region.
- Private bathrooms and hot showers
- Electrical hookups
- Braai (barbecue) facilities
- Running water and dishwashing sinks
- Shaded campsites and excellent security
Prices generally ranged from affordable public campgrounds to luxury private lodges with caravan sites, making it easy to match your budget and travel style.
Our adventure began atBoulders Beach, home to a thriving colony of African penguins. Although I spend part of every year working in Antarctica, this was actually my first time seeing penguins in the wild. Lane, on the other hand, had been fortunate enough to visit an Emperor penguin colony during our previous Antarctic season, so I was definitely the more excited one at this stop.
Next we visited theCape of Good Hope. This was where it finally started to feel like we had arrived in Africa. Watching ostriches wander near the coastline and other wildlife was something I’ll never forget.
Over the next several days we slowly made our way north toward Namibia, staying at caravan parks along the coast. Those first few days helped us settle into life on the road as we learned how to cook in the caravan, choose campsites, and develop a comfortable daily rhythm.
Crossing into Namibia felt like entering another world.
Traffic disappeared almost instantly. Vast open landscapes stretched to every horizon, and paved highways eventually gave way to long gravel roads disappearing into the distance. At times it honestly felt like driving through the set ofDune.
Favorite Scenic Drives
- C13along the Orange River near the border with South Africa through the Richtersveld region. Incredible mountain scenery and our first sightings of baboons.
- NamibRand Nature Reserveon the drive toward Sesriem. Herds of mountain zebras roamed the landscape, and it’s also possible to see giraffes, oryx, and springbok.Top Pick
- D1275Took you over to mountain passes leading to our campsite near the Naukluft Mountains, with sweeping views across the surrounding valleys.
Favorite Caravan Parks
- Vensterklip Guest Farm & Restaurant – beautiful property with nice restaurant and bar
- Mount D’Urban Camp (Top Pick) — Beautiful landscaping, incredible sunsets and sunrises, a swimming pool, and one of the most thoughtfully designed campgrounds we stayed at.
- Spreetshoogte Campsite – Campground near the Naukluft Mountains with an incredible view from up high on the mountain pass and looking down at the valley. Five stars ⭐️
National Parks We Visited
- Table Mountain National Park (South Africa)
- West Coast National Park (South Africa)
- Namib-Naukluft National Park (Namibia)
- Etosha National Park (Namibia)
- Waterberg Plateau Park (Namibia)
Final Thoughts
This was truly a trip of a lifetime.
If I could leave you with just a few pieces of advice, they’d be these:
The biggest challenge of traveling through Namibia is the gravel roads. Flat tires are incredibly common. We had three during our relatively short trip, and only two were covered by our rental vehicle’s insurance.
Always top off your fuel whenever you pass a reliable gas station, distances between towns can be much farther than they appear on a map. Keep plenty of drinking water with you at all times, especially during the warmer months, and don’t rush your itinerary. Some of the most memorable moments happen between destinations and when you have hours to sit and wait at watering holes in Etosha for various wildlife to arrive.
If you’re looking for one of the world’s great road-trip destinations, it’s hard to beat Namibia. Endless open landscapes, incredible wildlife, unforgettable sunsets, and the freedom to wake up somewhere new every morning made this one of our favorite adventures of the year.
Happy caravanning and/or hiking!
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