The Team

It’s a massive undertaking to provide logistical support for the Kuiseb90 Hike. This “slackpack” hike requires a team of highly experienced guides and cooks, driving a convoy of 4×4 vehicles. Luggage will be limited to one bag per person. The vehicles will carry all the supplies required to provide you with three meals daily, all the water needed for the hike, kitchen equipment, camping chairs, cutlery and crockery, firewood, all the luggage, as well as your tent and bedding. A hot shower and chemical toilet are available every night where we set up camp. Due to the difficult terrain, camp will often be set up near the “roof” of the Kuiseb Canyon, requiring a descent and ascent by hikers. During breakfast, hikers will pack their own lunch in a lunch box. Our guide team takes great care in supporting you in a discreet and non-intrusive way so that your experience of the vastness and remoteness of this unique area. Due to the remoteness and location of this hike, the crew will have a satellite phone to contact the outside world in an emergency.

The Route:

The extraordinary survival story of Henno Martin and Hermann Korn serves as the inspiration for this hike, even though – for practical reasons – we don’t have to follow their exact footsteps. You will be one of a select few to ever experience such a remote and unspoilt wilderness. Each day of the Kuiseb90 hike has its unique appeal, challenges, and beauty. But apart from the outer journey, you can also explore the inner journey while you hike completely off the grid, far away from civilisation. And at the end of the day as you relax, Henno Martin’s words will come to life: “The red dunes still lay beneath the sun like molten metal, but finally the sun sank beneath the horizon, and we realised that our thoughts were freer and less oppressed than they had ever been, and that we felt connected and content.” The hike departs from Walvis Bay. Over 5 days you will traverse a variety of landscapes, ranging from sandy red dunes, rocky outcrops, big boulders, hills, cliffs, pristine water pools and towering cliffs, to the canyon floor where animal tracks remind you that you are not alone in this pristine environment. Switch off from civilization, test your limits and enrich your soul in this unspoilt wilderness!

Itinerary

DAY 0: ARRIVAL WALVIS BAY

It is recommended that you arrive in Walvis Bay at least one day prior to the departure of the hike. Fly-in guests will be transferred from the airport to their hotel. A communal dinner and briefing session will take place this evening around 19h00. Attendance of the info session is compulsory.

DAY 1: DISTANCE APPROX 5 – 8 KM (weather dependant)

Rating: 6.5

The support vehicles will meet the group at Lagoon Chalets. Pick-up time will be confirmed the night before at the briefing. The transfer from Lagoon Chalets to the starting point (200 kms) will be in special converted 4×4 vehicles. The duration of the drive is approximately five hours. The drive itself is an epic adventure as you travel further away from so-called civilisation and traverse a variety of arid landscapes, including mountainous areas and of course the dunes of the Namib. Around lunchtime you will reach the starting point of the Kuiseb90 where the support team will be waiting. Fill your water bottles, pose for a group photo, and then proceed to walk the first steps of one of the most incredible journeys you will ever undertake. Today’s distance is relatively short, only 5-8 kms. You will gradually become more aware of the magnitude of the Kuiseb Canyon, stretched out in front of you. The terrain can be sandy at times. You’ll walk towards the escarpment until you reach the first campsite, among glorious red dunes – the oldest in the Namib Desert. The view from this campsite is phenomenal, especially in the direction of the winding path that you will follow tomorrow all the way down into the Kuiseb Canyon. But first you can refresh, sit back in a camping chair with a cold beer or cooldrink and be spoilt by the delicious dinner prepared by the support team. You will go to your tent early and get good rest, for tomorrow your adventure will step up in higher gear…

DAY 2: DISTANCE APPROXIMATELY 25 KM

Rating: 8.5 (this day requires stamina)

After breakfast you will follow a steep, winding path downhill amid rocky outcrops and big boulders. It is a remarkable track because it was made over centuries, perhaps even millennia, by animals entering and leaving the Kuiseb Canyon. You will descend more than 200 metres until you reach the floor of the canyon for the first time. From there you will follow the Kuiseb River that is mostly dry, but, depending on recent rain, you may encounter pristine pools of water. As you walk deeper into the canyon, the hills on either side will begin to make way for towering cliffs. You will be enveloped by nature at its purest. You might even be required to wade or swim through a pool in an area where the canyon walls are only a few metres apart. Keep an eye out for tracks of leopard and both brown and spotted hyena. You will see plenty of their tracks – just another visual reminder that you are in a remote wilderness. Very few humans have had the privilege to walk in this sacred space. After a lunch break you carry on walking, following the dry riverbed as it bends and curls. Look out for the red Namib dune sand that will reveal itself on the cliffs to the left. In the afternoon the canyon will gradually open up a bit, but you will still be astounded by the height of the cliffs on either side. On a warm day an ana tree will provide much needed shelter for a break. In the afternoon, you will follow a steep path uphill, all the way back to the escarpment, with the most magnificent views of the canyon and surrounding landscape. Take time to breathe it all in and take photos that will never fully capture the splendid moment but will remain as precious memories. The last few hundred metres will be challenging, but by the time you reach the impressive sandstone outcrop at the top, the Live the Journey team will welcome you with world-class hospitality, a cold beer or soft drink, and the promise of a well-deserved dinner under the stars.

DAY 3: DISTANCE APPROXIMATELY 17 KM

Rating: 6

Today you will enter the Kuiseb canyon again via the same route as yesterday afternoon. Now, with the sun rising, you will have a new perspective on the incomparable vista as you follow your own shadow against the dazzling cliffs. The dry riverbed will continue to be your compass, with the terrain a bit sandier than yesterday. You will most likely kick up dust while you walk. The vegetation will be greener and lush today, with a belt of trees appearing on the right, as the canyon gradually expands. Again, be mindful of animal tracks, especially the elusive leopard. You might also come across a carcass or oryx skull with the horns still intact, further evidence that predators do roam here. By the time you reach a lunch spot, the trees will be lining up on both sides, and it will feel like you are entering a new eco system. If it’s a warm day, expected in this harsh climate, you will find a pool to cool down. There is some more good news: Today you don’t need to follow a steep path out of the canyon and back on to the escarpment. You just keep on walking until you see the Live the Journey camp, nestled around a beautiful corner in the dry riverbed. Tonight, you will have the rare opportunity to camp deep inside the Kuiseb Canyon, and witness the various shades of red, pink, and orange against the cliffs during sunset. Sit in a camp chair among your fellow hikers under the stars and enjoy the stunning silence in between laughter and fellowship around the fire.

DAY 4: DISTANCE APPROXIMATELY 17 KM

Rating: 6

Having already walked more than approximately 50 km in this unspoilt wilderness, you will now begin to feel at home in the Kuiseb Canyon. Your busy and demanding life and all the old routines will occupy less bandwidth and begin to create space for a more mindful approach to your surroundings, and even yourself. Leave the Live the Journey camp and continue to follow the dry riverbed. The surroundings will continue to become lusher and denser. This area has many trees, and you will hear beautiful birdsong early in the morning. You get another opportunity to leave the Kuiseb Canyon as you follow a steep path with a tremendous reward at the very top: A sprawling view that you will never forget. To the left the red dunes of the Namib Desert literally plunges into the Kuiseb Canyon. This is the point where the canyon tells the desert: “Stop.” In the middle of this vista, you will see the Kuiseb River on its way to the distant horizon, and to the right a bleak, barren no man’s land, that looks like it has no life. It is only fitting that this evening’s Live the Journey camp will be set up near this viewpoint, where you can enjoy a good rest after one of the easier hiking days.

DAY 5: DISTANCE APPROXIMATELY 19 KM

Rating: 6

Today, on the last day of an unforgettable hike, you will explore the more barren area to the north of the Kuiseb Canyon. In the Namib Desert, even the most arid areas are still full of life, as you will soon find out spotting Welwitschias, the most ancient plant in the desert. On your way to a “hidden” canyon that feeds into the Kuiseb, you will walk past several of these plants, the southernmost in Namibia. Your guide will provide you with more context about this unique and endemic species. Beyond the halfway mark of today’s hike, you will reach a flat area with impressive, rocky outcrops on both sides. This smaller canyon is part of the Kuiseb Canyon’s network. You will spend several kilometres exploring this seemingly lunar landscape, where a green tree is a rarity. Eventually the path will narrow near a dry waterfall and to the left you will have the opportunity to explore something very special: A hyena den. The scattered collection of femur bones and skulls will tell the story of the survival of the fittest, and how the circle of life plays out endlessly here, without any human intervention. Once you carefully descended the dry waterfall’s rocks, you only have a short distance to cover until you reach a large dead tree. The Live the Journey banner waiting for you here, signals the end of the Kuiseb90 Hike. This night’s camp is near Homeb, the farming area of the Topnaar community, ancient custodians of this region. By now you would have hiked approximately 90 km over five days in an area with unsurpassed natural beauty, dominated by a canyon that has remained largely untouched. At the last Live the Journey camp the team will welcome you with sparkling wine and snacks, followed by a short ceremony where you will receive your Kuiseb90 certificate – tangible proof of a major accomplishment and life highlight. Everyone who completes the Kuiseb90 is a pioneer. During the last evening you will sit next to a fire, surrounded by cliffs for one last time, while you enjoy delicious food and reflect on a truly amazing experience.

DAY 6: DEPARTURE HOME

On the last day you will enjoy breakfast in the canyon, before an early departure to ensure everyone is back in Walvis Bay for departing flights in the afternoon and early evening. Your Kuiseb90 might be completed, but the experience and special memories will linger for a very long time. You might even decide to invite more friends and hike it again!

** IT IS IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT DAILY WALKING DISTANCES ARE AN APPROXIMATE DISTANCE ONLY AND WILL DEPEND ON THE WEATHER AND SUITABLE CAMP SITES. IT MAY VARY BY AS MUCH AS 2 TO 3 KILOMETRES. PLEASE USE AS A GUIDELINE ONLY!**

General Information

Group size: 18 -24 hikers (tailor-made options available for private groups)
Duration: 5 nights / 6 days (travel time not included)
Distance: Approximately 90 km
Rating: Level 6 to 8.5

Tour Includes

• Return Walvis Bay airport/Walvis accommodation transfers (fly-in guests).
• Hike briefing and communal dinner transport.
• Transport from Walvis accommodation to Lagoon Chalets (for guests not staying there) on morning of hike departure.
• Hike transport and transfers: Drop off at starting point of hike; 4×4 transfer from last night’s camp to Walvis Bay at end of hike; Support team and 4×4 vehicle convoy.
• Three meals per day during the hike.
• Soft drinks, tea and coffee. Limited beer and wine will be available each evening.
• Drinking water – 5 litres per person per day.
• Water for showering – 5 litres per day per person.
• Shower and chemical toilet at each overnight campsite.
• Current concession fees.
• Current Park and vehicle Park fees.
• 15% VAT.

Tour Excludes

• Pre and post travel arrangements (travel by road, flights, accommodation).
• Travel insurance – needs to cover extreme adventure and must include an air lift.
• Communal dinner and all drinks at and after the hike briefing session (at venue night before tour commences). Camping gear and bedding (option to hire through LTJ).
• Extra snacks and drinks that you would like to take on the hike.
• Tips/Gratuities (we will provide a guideline).

Rates:

*Prices for concession fees, taxes, park fees and fuel may be changed without prior notice. This is beyond our control and any increase levied will be passed to you.

2025 RATES To be confirmed.

Admin Fee:

• R55.00 once off per reservation.