These trails were named after a desert fast running beetle.
WALKING ITINERARY
The trail is closed between 15 December and 15 February every year due to the high summer temperatures
Guided Desert Hike at NamibRand Nature Reserve
The beauty of the Tok Tokkie walking trail is the fact that you
closely experience so many different aspects of the beautiful desert
- from mountainous terrain to sandy dunes. In addition to the
fantastic scenery and unfenced wildlife, like herds of oryx and
springbok, the desert holds big and small wonders of adaptation that
cannot be experienced while driving. Let your experienced nature
guide explain all this to you, relax with a sun downer and enjoy a
three-course dinner before falling asleep under the stars...
Itinerary
(Meals: B = Breakfast, L = Light lunch, D = Dinner)
Day 01
You should arrive at the Tok Tokkie farmhouse by 14h00. Please keep
an eye on the time, as the drive from Sesriem takes ca. 2h00 and
from Windhoek or Swakopmund ca. 6 hours.
Upon arrival at the Tok Tokkie farm house, you will be introduced to
your guide. Prior to departing on a short scenic drive to the
starting point of the trail you can refill water and you will be
given a daypack with some nuts and a cup. All you have to do is add
your camera, binoculars and a book to read during the heat of the
day. Your luggage needed for the duration of the trail will be
transferred to your overnight camp by vehicle. From your drop-off
point in the sand dunes it is a short walk to your first overnight
camp. The dunes are not the massive ones that are encountered at
Sossusvlei, but small, vegetated dunes that have a unique beauty of
their own. Relax with a sun downer, marvel at the magnificent
scenery and start “feeling” the desert.
Walking time: morning: 0 hrs / afternoon: 1 – 2 hrs
Sleeping out in the open on stretcher beds; (L around 13h00 if
pre-booked, D)
Day 02
Early morning tea or coffee is served before sunrise followed by a
light breakfast so that you can set off in the cool of the early
morning. You will be given a lunch pack, as the day heats up it is
time to stop at a shady spot. The highlight of the walk is the
breathtaking view of the dunes and plains as well as the “coming
alive” of the desert as the guide allows you to feel, smell, taste
and see the oldest living desert in the world. The “morning news”,
as written in the sand of the dunes is always fascinating and with
some luck, and the guide’s trained eyes, you may spot some of the
desert specials. (Golden Mole, Dancing White Lady, Barking Gecko,
Dune Lark, Flightless Wasp just to name a few). You spend a good
part of the morning on the mountain, before descending the other
side to a dry riverbed.
During the course of the day your guide will explain the wonders of
the Namib - how the fascinating desert flora survives by tapping
underground water from the riverbed, how insect life, which is
prolific, adapts to the harsh environment. Birding is surprisingly
good and you may be lucky enough to see one of Namib endemics, the
Dune Lark. Larger animals you might come across include Bat-eared
Fox, Oryx, Springbok and Ostrich.
As the day heats up it is time to stop at a shady spot where you can
enjoy your lunch pack and fill up your water bottles. There is
plenty of time to relax, have a siesta and reflect on all you have
seen. As the heat recedes you start walking – on and through the
dunes to your second overnight spot. The scene in front of you is an
endless dune sea and “fairy circles” with a backdrop of magnificent
mountain scenery. Photography is spectacular as the shadows on the
dunes create an ever-changing palette of colours shortly before
sunset. A delicious dinner after a long and enjoyable day is indeed
welcome. The sound of barking geckoes, the occasional cry of a
hyena, the hoo-hoo of spotted eagle owls, and more likely than not,
the silence accompanies you through the night.
Walking time: morning: 4 – 4.5 hrs / afternoon: 2 – 2.5 hrs,
Sleeping out in the open on stretcher beds; (BLD)
Day 03
Once again you are woken in the soft light shortly before sunrise.
Coffee and breakfast is served before you set off through the dune
field. The soft and rolling dunes are interspersed by camel thorn
trees, which provide welcome shade for a rest. Today’s walk is easy
and you arrive at Tok Tokkie farmhouse at approximately 10:30. When
time allows we visit the Namib Desert Environmental Education Trust
(NaDEET), a non-profit, donor sponsored trust, which aims at
developing environmentally responsible citizens of Namibia.
Walking time: morning: 3 – 3.5 hrs / afternoon: 0 hrs, (B)
NB – sometimes this walk is turned around, so the landscape will be
seen at different times of the day. This is at Tok Tokkie’s
discretion.
Notes
1) Group size is limited to two to eight guests. Larger groups will
be taken only if the guests are travelling together.
2) Please arrive in time (by 2 pm) because once the group has left
we cannot guarantee your transfer. Extra transfers will be charged
at the current rate. In case you experience a problem that prevents
you from arriving in time please advised in advance.
3) Personal packs should not weigh more than 10kg. Keep camera
equipment light; a telephoto lens for animals and birds, and a wide
angle for scenery are recommended. Whilst walking there are no
facilities to charge batteries for video cameras so be sure to have
sufficient batteries available.
4) You will sleep under the stars on comfortable stretcher beds in a
bedroll. Under special circumstances (unfavourable weather, etc.)
tents are provided, this is at Tok Tokkie Trail’s discretion.
5) Bathroom facilities comprise a long-drop toilet, bucket shower
and a hand basin at the overnight camps.
6) Fresh water for drinking will be available at lunch spots and
overnight camps.
7) If you have any special dietary requirements please inform us in
advance so that the necessary planning may be done to ensure that
you have an enjoyable walk.
8) Rates include all meals as stated above, the services of a guide
and “back-up” crew as well as the group transfer to the starting
point. Tea, coffee and juice, beer, wine and soft drinks are freely
available in overnight camps.
9) For the unlikely event of an accident or a medical emergency the
guide carries a radio transceiver. Your guide carries a first-aid
kit. All guides have a working knowledge of first aid.
10) Contact lenses are uncomfortable in the sandy and dry desert.
Please wear your glasses instead.
What You Need to Bring
• Curiosity and good humour
• Camera equipment and binoculars
• Comfortable worn-in walking shoes - NOT new shoes, these will
cause great discomfort
• Sunglasses, sunscreen (at least factor 30) and insect repellent.
• Water bottles (at least 2 x 1 litre). You can buy eco-friendly
steel bottles at Tok Tokkie Trails.
• Headlamp (torch) can be useful
Clothing Needed (please have a closer look at the climate hints)
• Light and comfortable clothing, jacket and pullover for cool
evenings
• Comfortable, closed shoes for the evening
• A hat or cap is essential.
• Warm clothes in the winter months (beanie, scarf and gloves)
Climate
The seasons in Namibia are reversed compared to those in Europe.
During the European winter months we have summer in Namibia and vice
versa. Winter and summer in Namibia differ from what we are used to
in Europe, though. The winter in Namibia is the cooler dry season,
which is characterised by high temperature changes and hardly any
rainfall. It can get very cold at night in the desert (June to
August down to -5°C). During the day temperatures may rise up to
25°C. The Namibian summer (January to end of March) is the rainy
season and it seldom rains during the other months. November and
December are very hot with temperatures over 30°C, so it is
essential to pack the suitable clothes. We have seen everything:
from beanies and gloves to bikinis! But rest assured that you will
not encounter a grey sky that will linger for weeks
Character of and Requirements for the Trail
The trail is not difficult, but challenging. Fitness and good
condition is essential as the trails entail 7 to 8 hours walking.
Walking does normally not exceed 10 km a day; the pace is set to
suit the group. Your main luggage will be transported by a back-up
vehicle; you only have to carry a day pack, including a lunch pack,
water and your camera equipment. As some of the routes lead through
rough terrain and over sand dunes it requires well-balanced and
secure walking. Please be aware of high temperature fluctuations,
which can reach a high of 35°C during the day whilst sometimes
plummeting down to -5°C at night, which can cause additional stress
to your heart and circulation. We recommend you to prepare yourself
for the trail with some fitness training.
Force Majeure
It goes without saying that we do our utmost to conduct the tour as
described in the program; we cannot vouch for it, however.
Unfavorable weather conditions, organizational problems, unforeseen
events or other factors may force us to change the course of the
tour. We apologize for any inconvenience caused.
Recommendation
We urgently recommend that comprehensive insurance cover be taken
out before embarking on the tour to
• make provision for cancellation and curtailment
• medical expenses, emergency evacuation, repatriation –
• loss or damage of personal baggage
Unlimited Travel & Car Hire cc will not be held responsible for any
costs arising from any of the above events. Restriction of liability
also applies if clients were unaware of this policy.
How to find us:
Tok Tokkie Trails is situated ca. 110 km/ ca. 2 hours south of
Sesriem, ca. 500 km/ ca. 6 hours drive from Windhoek and Swakopmund.
From the gate on C27/ D826 it is ca. 11 km to the trail starting
point (4x2).
CHILDREN:
Minimum age for the kids on a normal tour is 12 years. For a groups of 6 people kids under 12 are allowed.
NB.: Contact lenses are uncomfortable in the sandy and dry desert. Please
wear your glasses instead.
The area where walks are conducted in the NamibRand Nature Reserve has been allocated for
sustainable tourism utilization.
Groups size is limited to minimum of 2 and maximum of 8 to ensure quality of service and personal attention.
Larger groups on request.
Pace is set to suit your physical ability.
Other activities include: swimming in the dam, donkey rides, kite flying, dune boarding,
spoor identification.
Rates per person, valid from 15.02 to 15.12: on request
Rates include meals, services of a guide and transfer to the starting point.
Contact & reservations:
E-mail:
info@namibweb.com
To book:
1) you can e-mail us requesting information and/or rates
Reservations are only accepted in writing: by fax or via e-mail.
Final availability confirmation: in writing: by fax or via e-mail.
Terms & conditions, Payment options and Cancellation policy
Related:
Accommodation in the area:
Activities in the area:
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