Camping has filled a major part in my life, since early childhood. My parents took me on my first camping trip in an old VW Kombi at 3 weeks old. They often tell me stories about it. And it only got better from there. My sister and I have amazing memories of our trips through Namibia, mostly because our car often broke down in the most inconvenient locations in the middle of nowhere, which contributed to stories we still tell today.
My favorite camping spots are actually hard to pinpoint and locate, as we used to camp wild under a random tree, and we still do that now and then. This is not recommendable unless you know the country very well, with its seasonal changes, wildlife behavior, and you know how to always be prepared for unforeseen circumstances.
Here is a list of my 5 favourite camping spots:
1 St Nowhere – The place of salt and water and nothing further
No cellphone signal. Just my books, fishing rod, and endless sunshine at the beach. St Nowhere is about 105 km north of Henties Bay on the way to the Skeleton Coast, and our go-to spot when my partner and I need to break away from civilization. A hot spot around December (you need to book way in advance otherwise you will not get a spot over Christmas), the campsite is dead empty most of the year, allowing for solitude and quiet all day long. You can choose between plain campsites, VIP campsites (private ablution), and bungalows that have been renovated recently. Pet friendly and directly next to the ocean and the salt pans, St Nowhere provides you with a camping spot where you can hide for a while. I try to visit St Nowhere at least twice a year.
2 Ongongo Waterfalls – Translating to “magic” in Otjiherero
About 90 km north of Palmwag, very close to Sesfontein and the Khowarib Gorge, the Ongongo Waterfalls Campsite, run by the local community, is directly next to a hidden waterfall with crystal clear water collecting in a pool. The Ongongo Waterfall Campsite is the ideal place to camp, as you can swim under the waterfall and then walk the short distance to your campsite, where little streams of water gurgle around your tent and fireplace. Only reachable via a 4x4 vehicle, the road leads past small villages and homesteads, with children standing next to the road, offering to sell small wooden products. I remember losing seven tyres in only a few days and my dad and uncle sitting in the water with tools trying to find the puncture and fix it, while the women cooked up a dinner.
Ablution facilities with hot water and shaded basin areas are available, and capacity for 8 people per campsite ensures comfort while camping. This is a fond memory of mine, to camp here, and I am planning to go back there early 2023.
3 Prospect Farm
A short drive out of Windhoek on the C26, leads you to Prospect Farm. In the center is a massive farm dam, where you can paddle in canoes and drift on old tractor tyre tubes. Under-roof kitchen facilities and ablutions provide some shelter, and you can pitch your tent under one of the gigantic trees. With the greenery everywhere, this is one of my favourite camping spots close to Windhoek, and perfect for families all year round. My fondest memory is sitting on one of the swings by the water, with a cup of coffee in my hand, while everyone was still sleeping, watching the sun rise over the water. It’s just magnificent.
If you feel the urge to press the reset button after this long year, this is it. I love this place for its space and green nature, as untouched as possible.
4 Namibgrens Guestfarm
Just before you descend down the Spreedshoogte Pass, you find Namibgrens Guestfarm amongst rock formations and grass lands. The first time I camped there, was at a birthday party that was hosted on one of the campsites. It was in the hottest time of summer and we spent 80% of our time in the rock pools. The showers and toilets present a stunning view, as you climb a few steps up the mountain before you close the door behind you for privacy. I have been there a few more times since, and as it's not too far away from Windhoek, this makes for an effortless weekend getaway. Just make sure you go when it is not too hot, perhaps after the first rainfall.
5 Blutkuppe
The best for last. My absolute favourite.
I spent my birthdays, three years in a row, camping at Blutkuppe in the Namib Naukluft National Park. You need a permit to drive into the park and enough water supply for the trip, but there is endless opportunity to explore and more than one legend about historical war graveyards and abandoned German farm houses. If we go, we camp at Mount Blutkuppe, known for being painted crimson red by the rising sun, or at Tinkas and the famous rock arch. There are no ablution facilities, so this counts as wild camping. I remember the walk to Tinkas Dam at around age 5, where our dad took us swimming, and when we went back a few years later it was completely dried out due to the nearby mining activities. At Blutkuppe we never set up tents. We slept on our camping matrasses under the night sky. I think it's time for one of those trips again.
There are more favourites, maybe one day I will make part two when I travel more again and update my list of top camping spots. Let me know if you have been to any of the above, and which spot in Namibia is amongst your top 5?
“The farther one gets into the wilderness, the greater is the attraction of its lonely freedom.” – Theodore Roosevelt
Author: Elke Tietz