Ondjamba Safaris

Desert elephant in the Hoarusib valley.

You will be guided by Dieter Risser, a qualified NATH tour guide who has lived and travelled in Namibia all his life. Dieter has specialised in the behaviour of the desert elephant and the Himba history and traditions. He is a committee member of the Kaoko-Etosha Conservancy, a member of the Wildlife Society of Namibia and a newly proposed Honorary Conservator, committed to ECO/ETHNO based tourism.

Twyfelfontein

Rock engravings at Twyfelfontein - the inspiration for the Ondjamba Safaris logo

Damaraland

As Dieter knows the Kaokoland and Damaraland well, he can take you partly on roads and tracks that are far from the tourist routes and not shown on the normal road maps of this area. You can hence enjoy in peace some of the most remote and beautiful parts of this north-western region of Namibia.

Kaokoland

Dieter’s overnight safaris take us in search of the Ondjamba, the desert elephant. He loves and respects these amazing giants and he knows from experience how to approach them without disturbing or stressing them in their natural habitat. Long years of theoretical and practical experience about the behaviour of the desert elephant will enable you to see these magnificent animals and to learn a lot about them. You have a good chance to also see Giraffe, Kudu, Oryx, Springbok, Ostriches etc. all in a really beautiful landscape.

A desert elephant in between the rocks; seldom photographed.

Himba...

... at the production of the ochre lotion.

A thought-provoking and unforgettable experience is a visit to an “Onganda” i.e. a Himba village west of Opuwo. Over the years, Dieter and Dongina established a close contact with this particular group of Himba and they make us really feel welcome here. The Himba are proud to explain their ancient traditions and beliefs to our guests; show how they prepare the red ochre lotion used by their women; show how they grind the maize into meal; let you sit in their huts to look at the various Himba utensils and dresses, and perform traditional dances not normally done for tourists else where. They also have an amazing craft market we like to support. Further west we can also visit an important chief’s onganda complete with a kraal for the Holy Cattle and the Holy Fire ”Okuruwo”.

Himba women and child

As the drive to the beautiful Epupa Falls takes about 8 hours from Kamanjab, we need two nights at Epupa as well as one night each before and after at your Lodge – a memorable trip worth its cost. Our route via Opuwo takes us to the banks of the Kunene River where we overnight in the comfort of the Omarunga Camp situated under tall Makalani palms right next to the waterfalls. The next day we visit the Himba village of Maria and learn about their ancient customs and traditions. We also go for walks along the river and to the spectacular Epupa Falls. Enjoy the view from a hill at sunset before returning to the camp.

Epupa falls

Maria building her house.

Only registered tour operators are permitted to visit the western regions of Etosha. The infrastructure in this area is well established and there are good chances to see elephant, black rhino and lion in this region still closed to normal tourism. We enter the Galton Gate early in the morning, proceed to Otjovasandu and then visit various waterholes en route to either Okaukuejo or Halali, which we reach sometime in the afternoon. The evening is spent at a floodlit waterhole in the rest camp. The following morning we return partly on a different route, or as otherwise arranged.

Western regions of Etosha

Dieter also offers safaris into Kaokoland and Damaraland, tailor-made to fit your interests and time schedule. We follow routes along the Ombonde River through the picturesque Khowarib canyon into Kaokoland where we can visit Himba villages on the way; drive down the legendary Van Zyl’s Pass or Otjihaa Pass and to the Marienfluss valley with its many unexplained “Fairy Circles” until we reach the Kunene River; follow the scenic valleys along the Khumib and Hoarusib area down to the Hoanib dry riverbed in search of the famous desert elephant. Or travel through Damaraland with its natural springs and beautiful Etendeka mountain landscape; cross the amazing wilderness between the Huab and Ugab valleys visiting a lesser known petrified forest and the stone buildings and shelters at the Gai-As waterhole, and look for the desert elephant and black rhino in the Ugab, Numas and Doros Crater area. From the north-west side of the Brandberg we follow a track through the Messum Crater along hundreds of huge Welwitschia plants until we reach the Atlantic coast north of Cape Cross.

Kaokoland

Damaraland

Kariba Lake

We can also take you to the BUSHMANLAND and KAUDOM PARK where you can visit traditional Bushmen in their natural surrounding. Or go on a camping or lodging safari to Botswana to see the world famous Okavango Delta and Moremi, Savute and Chobe game parks. Zimbabwe, with its spectacular Victoria Falls, Kariba Lake and Hwange game park is also still an amazing destination.

Botswana

We can fulfil your African dream - with a personal touch!