Hike into the forbidden land
The Sperrgebiet – German for “prohibited area” – in Namibia is a diamondmining zone that is off-limits to everyone except some 4x4 tour operators. Hikers who do The Namib 100 have special permission to walk along the shoreline between dunes and the Atlantic Ocean in this remote stretch of land.
Each day of The Namib 100 Hike in the Sperrgebiet has a singular charm and a wider variety of landscapes than you can imagine. Hikers go completely off the grid, deep into the dunes, and camp wild under the stars.
The daily distances are long, but the hiking is not technical.
The desert may seem devoid of life at first, but look closely and you’ll find plant and animal species that have adapted to survive in the extreme conditions. Hikers will see birds, seals, jackals and maybe even gemsbok and brown hyenas. And exploring the deserted diamondmining settlements will offer a glimpse into the human history of this magnificent wilderness area.
ITINERARY* ARRIVAL WALVIS BAY
On the evening before the start of the hike there will be a dinner and briefing session at Lagoon Chalets in Walvis Bay. All hikers are required to be there.
* Subject to change depending on weather conditions
DAY 1 21 km
The hikers will be transported in 4x4 vehicles to the starting point at Modderbankies, where the Kuiseb River flowed into the Atlantic in ancient times. You can still see the remnants of mud and silt deposited millions of years ago.
Animal spoor remind you that you are not walking alone.
The last stretch of this day’ hike can either be done inland over the dunes or by following the shoreline of Sandwich Harbour Lagoon – either route will take you to your first night’s camp.
DAY 2 25 km
You’ll pass huge seal colonies on your way to a section of coastline called Lange Wand (German for “long wall”), where the dunes drop directly into the sea. You’ll navigate this section at low tide, since high tide can be treacherous.
DAY 3 24 km
Today, you will encounter the wreck of the Shawnee, which ran aground in 1976 – a reminder of the Namib’s maritime history: stories of hopes and dreams, and lives lost… After passing the wreck, you will turn inland and hike through the dunes to a spectacular camping spot.
DAY 4 20 km
Today, you will see a completely different face of the Namib. You move down from the dunes to a gravel plain that will surprise you with its miniature life – from a dancing white lady spider to the smallest of succulents. Long stretches of scattered white quartz and black lava fields reveal fascinating geology.
Diamond-mining companies stripped this area of its diamond-bearing gravel. Your camp for the night will be near an abandoned mining settlement, where the buildings engulfed by sand are all that remain of those sparkling dreams.
DAY 5 11 km
You’ll turn towards the sea again, crossing pink salt pans and ancient sea floors littered with shells, occasionally catching sight of the wreck of the Eduard Bohlen in the distance. The hiking part of the journey ends at the wreck, with a toast and a celebration.
But the fun isn’t over yet… You’ll be transported in 4x4 vehicles over some of the highest dunes on earth, deep into the Namib to the final camping spot at the foot of an enormous dune.
DAY 6 Goodbye!
After breakfast, you will be transported back to Walvis Bay.