Khomas Hochland 4-Day Hiking Trail

Windhoek, Namibia

Before day 1 it is arrival day at Düsternbrook Safari Guest Farm. The first night at Düsternbrook is part of the 4 or 6 nights of the trail.

Day 1

Düsternbrook to Otjiseva Campsite (16 km)

The 4-day trail starts at the Guest Farm Düsternbrook, follows the Otjiseva River for about 1.5 km, then you leave the river and follow the markings to the main entrance gate of Düsternbrook. Now you enter Otjiseva Farm, follow the signs a bit on the main road for about 700 m and then you turn right on to the signposted trail. Soon you will be passing UNDER THE BIG TREES, RIVER/GAME WATCH WALK and GEMSBOKKOELTE before turning into the mountains. The vegetation is of the bushland savannah, the often-large trees provide lots of shady places to rest, for instance under the BIG FIG TREE REST, where we had lunch – near 12km.

The owner of the farm showed us rock engravings at KLIPMERK GATE. The meaning of these engravings is still unknown. We rested a lot on rocks in the riverbed. The path leads along some narrow kloofs with some interesting rocky waterfalls – one too high to climb and a path was made up a hill and around it. From the top of the mountain – at the TOKTOKKIE TRACK REST- we had impressive views of the surrounding hills and flatter countryside looking towards Windhoek. A last an easy climb leads to the beautiful setting of the overnight stop GUSTAV POSTEN, still on the farm Otjiseva, next to a big dry dam. It is completely in the wilderness and the sounds of Africa’s wild animals are heard and game seen, without having to be quietly.

Some interesting signs boards are SEXY FIG TREE, THE-ROCK-UNDER-THE-ROCK, SIT-GAT-RUS-BENE.

Day 2

Otjiseva to Onduno Campsite (9 km)

We follow again a riverbed on the KLIPPEKOU KLIM uphill until we reach the border with the farm Onduno before the SLAGYSTERKLIP gorge. We sit a while on the rocks at the RED ROCK LIZARD REST waterfall and spend some time at the PARTRIDGE POOL and watch lots of birds coming to drink water. At a farm dam, with water for a large number of cattle, we are met by the owner of this farm. He explains to us the route downhill into another riverbed with Oryx, Kudu, wonderful flowers and trees, past the CREEPY CORNER.

We have lunch at the side of a farm road under some shady bushes at the top of a hill where there is a nice breeze – this is experienced at higher spots on the trail. Then up a hill to YIPPIE ON TOP …!!

Early in the afternoon we arrive at the next overnight place – also next to a dam – where we have enough time to explore the surroundings and observe the bird and animal life. The camp is below the LOOK UP!! BABOON MOUNTAIN, on the bank of a small dry river in between two rocky hills with steep kranse. The one hill is called Bobbejaan kop – obviously, a baboon sleeping place.

Day 3

Onduno to Monte Christo Riverside Camping (16 km)

Each day brings interesting vistas and so did this day not disappoint! We had a pleasant hike past LEKKER SWIMMING, THROUGH THE BEAUTIFUL BUSHES up on GRANDPA’S PATH, past KIEKIE DAM to the WINDHOEK REST. Windhoek city can clearly be seen in the distance.

We TAKE IT SLOW BUT GO on THODO’S PATH through GAT SKEUR DEUR DRAAD to the highest point at 360⁰ AND OH SO FAR, FAR AWAY!! with the best views all round of the whole trail, seeing as far as Okahandja and Windhoek while resting a round hill just under 2000 m above sea level.

After we have done some ups and downs past HEAVEN REST, BERND’S MOUNTAIN REST and ENORMOUS COCOON CORNER, we crossed the border to Monte Christo Farm on LEVEL ON THE GRAVEL to the WATERFALL. We climbed down this breathtaking high waterfall with 5 well secured wooden ladders.

We pass KORT-PAD-LANG-PAD, with a well-deserved rest at SEER-KNIE-DAMRUS and walking past the STEENBOKKIE PLEK we finally reach the Aretaragas River at TARENTAALDRIF.

Breathtaking hiking for a kilometre along this river, watching hundreds of water birds and plenty of game pass SO CLOSE, we arrive at, we took a walk to the Monte Christo home. It has a number of small lakes, which is ideal for bird watching such as water birds and Fish eagles. In total on this hike we identified more than 50 species of birds. We saw many oryx, waterbuck, springbok, zebra, kudu, warthogs and other small mammals.

Day 4

Monte Christo back to Düsternbrook Safari Guest Farm (14 km)

The last day of the KHHT is a pleasant walk along the Otjiseva River with a number of river crossings and passing the following markers DRIE-ANA-BOME-RUS, COOL TREE REST, VLAKVARKGATE, WATERVOëLS LOOP and WATER KLIPPE. This day led us from Monte Christo via Otjiseva back to the starting point at Düsternbrook.