Naukluft 4x4 Trail

Naukluft 4X4 Trail

The Naukluft 4x4 trail offers you a closer look at nature and the magnificent Naukluft Mountains.

The Namib-Naukluft Park stretches from the Swakop River in the north to the Aus/Lüderitz road in the south and from the sea almost to the escarpment in the east and covers an area of almost 5 million hectares.

HISTORY:
The Namib-Naukluft Park grew to its present size over a period of almost 90 years. In 1907 the area between the Swakop River and the Kuiseb River was proclaimed as Game Reserve No. 3 by the German Colonial Administration. In 1941 the Sandwich area was incorporated into Game Reserve No. 3. This was to protect the guano concession on islands in the lagoon.

The Reserve was enlarged in 1956 to include the Welwitschia Plains, Swakop River valley and the Kuiseb Canyon. In 1966 this area became known as the Namib Desert Park.

In 1968 the Naukluft Mountain Zebra Park was proclaimed with the purchase of the farm Naukluft. This was to protect the endangered Hartmann's mountain zebra. After an ecological survey in 1970 most of the farms forming the Naukluft mountain massif were purchased and later a number of farms west of the mountain were bought to create a corridor so that gemsbok could migrate between the dunes and the mountains.

In 1979 a large portion of land known as Diamond Area 2, to the south of the Kuiseb River, including Sesriem and Sossusvlei, was ceded to conservation. This area, unoccupied State Land, the Namib Desert Park and the Naukluft Mountain Zebra Park were consolidated to form the 23 340 km2 Namib-Naukluft Park.

The further addition of the remainder of Diamond Area 2 and a portion of Diamond Area 1, as far south as the Aus/Lüderitz road in 1986, made the Namib-Naukluft Park the biggest park in Africa. Animals now again roam over this vast area as they did in former years.

ACCOMMODATION & FACILITIES:
The Naukluft camp, in the mountains on the banks of the Naukluft River is small and exclusive. Because there are only 4 camp-sites (no chalets) a reservation is essential.

Visitors intending to go on the Naukluft 4x4 trail must make a reservation for the camp-site if they intend to over night at Naukluft before going on or after completing the trail. There are also a number of guest farms and lodges outside the Park.

GENERAL:
This unique 4x4 trail is on tracks built by early pioneers, who farmed this area for many years. The trail is approximately 73 km long and there is an overnight stop 30 km from Naukluft on the plateau at Tjeriktik.
(Tjeriktik is the Afrikaans name for titbabbler, a common bird of the Naukluft.)

This trail is not only for 4x4 enthusiasts but for anyone interested in nature and wanting a closer look at the mountains, plants, and animals that inhabit them.

Because of the narrow, rocky tracks on the mountain, there are restrictions on certain vehicles, but the trail is negotiable by most 4 x 4 vehicles that have standard track width. Sand or wide, soft-walled tyres are not recommended because of the many sharp stones.

This route is not designed to test your vehicle, but rather to test your driving ability. We ask all visitors to drive slowly and to stay on the track. Avoid wheel spinning, which accelerates erosion. Use the lowest gear on the steep sections. Not only is it better for our road, it is also better for your tyres.


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