The Spitzkoppe, is a group of bald granite peaks located between Usakos and Swakopmund in the Namib desert of Namibia. The granite is more than 120 million years old and the highest outcrop rises about 1,784 metres above sea level. It is one of the most incredible camping grounds on the planet and well worth exploring in your 4WD Camper.

Where is Spitzkoppe?

The Spitzkoppes are located in Grosse Spitzkuppe Nature Reserve, about 150kms north-east of Swakopmund and 278kms from Namibia’s capital, Windhoek.

There’s only very small towns dotted along the B2 back from Swakopmund to Windhoek, so the availability of supplies are limited to say the least. The road from Usakos is unsealed but well maintained.

Often overlooked by tourists heading to Etosha National Park and the sand dunes of Sossuvlei, Spitzkoppe is a natural splendour located on the fringe of the Namib Desert. If you’re in Namibia, we highly recommend getting off the tourist path a little and exploring this natural wonder of Namibia...

We had been in Namibia for a couple of weeks when we stumbled across a blog about Spitzkoppe. It seemed incredible - this ancient set of granite boulders set on the fringe of the remote Namib Desert. And the most incredible thing was that this place was advertised nowhere. There were no tourist offices advertising it, no brochures or articles - even our Lonely Planet guide only featured a modest article about this monumental place.

We stayed the night, gazing at the incredible amount of stars in the African sky, knowing that this was a truly unique Namibian experience that we would never forget.

We were driving back towards Windhoek from the strange desert settlement of Swakopmund, crossing endless expanses of desert sand and sparse vegetation. After hours of highway driving with little to look at but the horizon on all sides, Spitzkoppe offered a welcome break. Little did we know that this would be one of the highlights of our trip.

WThe Spitzkoppes are located in Grosse Spitzkuppe Nature Reserve, about 150kms north-east of Swakopmund and 278kms from Namibia’s capital, Windhoek. There’s only very small towns dotted along the B2 back from Swakopmund to Windhoek, so the availability of supplies are limited to say the least. Anyway - this is what 4WD campervan roadtrips are all about yeah? Getting out there and exploring!

If you’ve travelled to Uluru and Kata Tjuta National Park in Australia, you’ll find Spitzkoppe to be quite similar. It’s the colours of the desert and scale of the boulders that makes the region feel so ancient and removed from the modern world.

The B2 Highway to Usakos (the nearest small town to Spitzkoppe) is sealed, however the road leading off the B2 to the Reserve is unsealed but fairly well-maintained. It’s fairly wide, which is good because even though there aren’t many cars around, when they come towards you, they come fast! So give other vehicles a wide berth to avoid damaging your windscreen.

It seems a common scam for locals in the area to pretend their vehicle is broken down, enticing curious travellers to stop and offer help. The story is always the same, they’ve run out of fuel and need $10 to get back to Usakos. Personally, I am more than happy to give these guys $10 - you never know when their cause is legitimate. There’s a lot of poverty scattered across Namibia, and it can be confronting. But I am always of the opinion that it is better to remain naive and offer some a few dollars then become cynical.

After entering the Reserve, you need to find a campsite for the night. The amazing thing about the reserve is that each campsite is spaced out. You can’t see or hear your neighbours, so it really feels like you are all alone in the wild. There’s fire pits and toilets (bush toilets) at every campsite as well.

Camping:

Open Year Round

• Maximum 8 persons per site
• Dry toilets at each campsite
• Hot showers are available near reception
• Rubbish removal from campsites daily by community with donkey cart
• 31 campsites available

Park Prices

Park Prices:

• Entry & Camping Fees:
• N$50 per day Per Person (Day Pass Only)
• N$60 per vehicle (Day Pass Only)
• N$150 per Adult for Camping
• N$100 per child (u/12) for Camping Facilities: -Hot water showers and flush toilets available at reception area. Bar with beer and cold drinks available. Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner available at Restaurant on a pre-booking basis. Light lunches and snacks available at Restaurant. Curio shop at reception. Rock climbing (own equipment). View rock arts at various sites with a tour guide (at additional cost).

  Other Information

Roads in the Park

• All roads in Spitzkoppe Reserve are Unsealed. A 4WD or AWD Vehicle is recommended. Wicked Campers in Windhoek has a fleet of AWD & 4WD Campervans for hire, perfect for exploring Namibia and Spitzkoppe! We've got 3 locations across South Africa, so give us a call or book online today.