Ultimate Guide to Visiting Spitzkoppe in Namibia (2024)
Welcome to our comprehensive guide to Spitzkoppe, where we share our personal experiences and insights from our unforgettable visit to this stunning destination in Namibia. From the breathtaking landscapes and captivating rock formations to the mesmerizing night sky, we’ll cover everything you need to know to make the most of your trip. We’ll share our top tips on the best things to do, why Spitzkoppe should be on your travel itinerary, and where to stay, including an in-depth review of our Spitzkoppe campsite. With our firsthand knowledge and experiences, our goal is to equip you with the information you need to fully enjoy this hidden gem! Let’s get right into it!
Summary: Spitzkoppe Guide
If you are short on time and want some quick suggestions for Spitzkoppe, check out our summary below:
✅ Favourite Activities:
– Camping in the Wilderness
– Explore the Landscape around Spitzkoppe
– Guided Hikes in Spitzkoppe
– See the Ancient Rock Paintings
– Admire the Milky Way
– See the Sunrise from the Rock Arch
🏠 Where to stay: Spitzkoppen Lodge, Spitzkoppe Community Camp, or Hohenstein Lodge
📲 Recommended E-Sim: Airalo
🚑 Travel insurance we used: Safety Wing
Is Spitzkoppe Worth Visiting?
When we initially booked Spitzkoppe, it was mostly due to the fact that it was a convenient stopping point between Swakopmund and Etosha that looked like it had an impressive landscape. Having now experienced Spitzkoppe for over two nights, we can whole-heartedly say that Spitzkoppe is 100% worth visiting and the experiences that you will have there will be unforgettable!
Not only will get you to camp/lodge in the tranquil wilderness surrounded by stunning towering mountains, but you will also get to learn about the ancient tribes that once lived there and witness their history through their rock art.
At Spitzkoppe, you will also witness one of the most amazing skies full of stars and see the entire Milky Way spanning across the horizon. Although we did also see it while visiting Sossusvlei, the absolute isolation of Spitzkoppe allowed for even lower light pollution and thus a clearer view.
For all these reasons, we would definitely recommend adding Spitzkoppe to your Namibia itinerary!
How long to Stay in Spitzkoppe?
Many people will visit Spitzkoppe as a day trip or simply spend one night there. However, if you have the time in your itinerary, we would highly recommend staying 2 nights at Spitzkoppe.
As you will see below, there are actually quite many things to see and do in Spitzkoppe. Spending two nights allowed us to witness the breathtaking starry skies and the Milky Way twice—a view that, without a doubt, stands as the most stunning we’ve ever experienced in all our travels!
As a day trip, you will miss out on the hours where the entire landscape is most impressive, at sunrise and sunset. Furthermore, you will be visiting usually during the hottest hours of the midday.
If you stay one night, you will likely not have time to do any of the guided walks as they mostly start early in the morning before the blistering heat sets in.
For this reason, we would recommend staying for 2 nights and fully enjoying this awe-inspiring landscape!
6 Best Things to do in Spitzkoppe
Spitzkoppe is filled with some of the most amazing and unique landscapes in Namibia, as well as rich with ancient culture and rock paintings. Check out our list of some of our favourite experiences while staying in Spitzkoppe!
1) Camping in the Wilderness
The first unforgettable experience in Spitzkoppe is camping in true wilderness, surrounded by the breathtaking red rock mountains and giant boulders. Nowhere else on our Namibia road trip offered such an immersive experience. In Sossusvlei, our campsite was scenic but not directly within the sand dunes, and in Etosha, campsites are usually busy, with neighbours close by.
But here in Spitzkoppe, each campsite is nestled within the dramatic landscape, spaced well apart for a tranquil, uninterrupted connection to nature.
Simply sitting at our campsite, savouring some biltong with a gin and tonic, was a wonderfully relaxing and memorable experience.
2) Exploring the Landscapes of Spitzkoppe
We hadn’t anticipated it when planning our stop in Spitzkoppe, but the area offers an incredible expanse of landscape to explore. Our campsite was nestled right beside the giant mountain, and within just a 2 minute walk, we were able to wander amongst the boulders and explore the varied terrain.
Climbing up the slope, we discovered all types of different plants, cacti, as well as seeing some of the local wildlife. We also discovered a cave and several large crevices that you can climb through, adding to the adventure.
With just the site located right next to our camp, we were returned to explore 2-3 times and each visit we felt like we were uncovering something new! Beyond this, you can also go visit some of the iconic sites in Spitzkoppe like the Natural Arch and ancient rock paintings.
3) Guided Hikes in Spitzkoppe
There are multiple organized guided hikes available in Spitzkoppe. These hikes will usually bring you through more challenging terrain to visit some of the harder to reach sites.
Upon your arrival at the reception desk, you will be provided with an information sheet briefly describing each excursion. If you want to plan ahead of time, I have summarized the primary hikes available, including the cost per person.
- Gross Spitzkoppe Hike (4-5 hours) costing 600 NAD per person
- Pontokke Hike (3 hours) costing 450 NAD per person
- Golden Snake Hike (3 hours) costing 150 NAD per person for groups of 4 or less
- Small or Chain Bushman Paintings with guide: payment by tip
- Bird Hike (Herero Chat) with guide (half day): 400 NAD per person for half day and 800 NAD per person for full day
chain Bushman Paintings
Although we didn’t have time for the longer guided hikes, we did visit the Chain Bushman paintings with a guide. This hike doesn’t require advance booking—you can simply show up at the site. The guide is available from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., though there’s typically only one guide on duty. If he’s out with another group when you arrive, you may need to wait about an hour for his return. It’s important to note that this hike must be done with a guide, as independent exploration is prohibited. This excursion has no fixed price and is paid on a tipping basis in cash.
The longer hikes lasting 3-5 hours normally need to be booked at least a day in advanced, and your excursion starting time will need to be quite early in order to avoid the midday heat. You will be responsible for the transportation of the guide from the main office.
4) See the Ancient Rock Paintings
In Spitzkoppe, the two main sites to view the ancient rock paintings are the Small Bushman Paintings and the Chain Bushman Paintings. It was truly fascinating to see these relics left behind by the ancient tribes of Namibia that used to live amongst these mountains.
We learned that the paintings usually had meanings and were frequently used to help guide the tribes towards the watering sources as well as advise on what animals are present. This acted as a compass for whenever new tribes pass by and needed directions to find food or water.
Reaching these rock paintings was also an adventure in itself, as we needed to climb up a steep rocky slope with the help of an anchored chain. The Tour lasts around an hour, leaving you plenty of time for further exploration afterwards.
5) Admire the Milky Way
Namibia is recognized as one of the world’s top Dark Sky zones, offering an unparalleled opportunity to view the entire Milky Way and a sky filled with millions of stars. While we enjoyed stargazing several times during our road trip through Namibia, including Sossusvlei, nowhere else was the Milky Way as vivid and breathtaking as it was in Spitzkoppe.
Each night after dinner, we’d light a campfire and settle into our chairs, gazing up at the stars. The view was so mesmerizing that we stayed up well past midnight, reluctant to go to sleep.
Given how far Spitzkoppe is from other towns, there’s virtually no light pollution, making the stars and galaxies appear remarkably vivid. If you enjoy photography, this would be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to try to capture the stars!
6) See the sunrise from the Natural Rock Arch
Our final favourite experience in Spitzkoppe was enjoying both the sunrise and sunsets from the stunning viewpoints scattered throughout the park.
Sunset point
Often, for sunset, we would just climb the slope next to our campsite and enjoy the mesmerizing view from atop the boulders, having the entire site all to ourselves. This viewpoint is next to campsite 9, just a 10 minute walk up the mountain slope.
Sunrise Point – Natural Arch
One of the most famous sites to watch the sunrise is the Natural Rock Arch, somewhat similar to the one that you would find Road tripping through Utah’s Arches National Park.
The best spot is to actually sit right under the arch which acts as a window to the stunning landscape. Also, make sure you stay there after the sunrise, as the crowds from the tour groups will usually disperse and you will get to enjoy the site all to yourself. Do note that to reach this spot, you need to scramble up a steep rocky slope, so it is not advisable for those with physical limitations.
This post is part of our series about Namibia. If you want to learn more about Namibia, planning your trip, and some of the best experiences there, check out the guides below:
Where to Stay in Spitzkoppe
There are not many options for accommodation in Spitzkoppe. If you want to go camping, then we would highly recommend staying at Spitzkoppe Community Rest Camp. We stayed there and had an incredible experience.
However, if you prefer a more exclusive lodge experience, then you should check out Spitzkoppen Lodge. If you are not planning on staying inside the Spitzkoppe park, then there are a few lodges that you can stay at in the nearby town of Usakos.
Here is a summary of where you can stay during your trip to Spitzkoppe.
Where to stay in Spitzkoppe | |||
Hotel | Features | Distance from Park | |
| 0km | ||
| 0km | ||
| 0km | ||
| 63km | ||
| 55km | ||
| 61km |
Spitzkoppe Community Camp Review
We chose to stay at the Spitzkoppe community campsite and had the most amazing experience! The campsites are nestled right amongst the towering rocky mountains, with each site very well spaced out giving you a lot of privacy and tranquility.
Spitzkoppe Camp inclusions
The campsites normally include a tree for cover, a wooden table, a Brai pit, and a dry toilet. There is no electrical plug or light in any of the campsites, however, you can go to the reception area to charge your battery or phones.
There is also a dry toilet available for each campsite. This is essentially a long drop dry toilet surrounded by metal sheet walls.
As we previously mentioned, this was one of the most immersive landscape experiences we had in Namibia and could not get enough of the stunning views. During the day, we would sit below the tree enjoying a cocktail and some biltong, while at night, we would gaze up admiring the stars next to our campfire.
Some small challenges
The only slight challenge was the fact that you have no running water at your campsite. This means that if you are cooking, you will need to drive to the reception area where there are designated sinks for you to do your dishes.
Also, if you want to take a shower, you will also need to head back to the reception area where there are communal showers with hot water. We didn’t end up using them but they looked clean and proper.
Campsite layout
There are over 20 campsites available at the Spitzkoppe community camp and which site you pick will also affect your experience. As the campsites are on a first-come-first-serve basis, we tried to arrive early to have more options. Having driven through and checked out most of the campsites, we would recommend staying at campsite 8, 9, or 10. We will explain further why we pick these sites in the Tips section below.
If you are not camping during your Namibia trip, then we would highly recommend checking out Spitzkoppen Lodge.They are situated just steps away from the towering mountains, with their luxurious chalets nestled among the cliffs.
Tips for your Stay in Spitzkoppe
- Arrive early to pick your camp site. This is super important as the campsites are on a first-come-first-serve basis. We arrived around 11:30am and many of the campsites were already taken.
- There is an impromptu campsite reservation system in Spitzkoppe. If there are chairs or a table set up at the campsite, that means the campsite is already taken. Once you arrive at your campsite, make sure to set up your camping table there to ensure nobody tries to settle in your lot!
- We recommend staying near camp 8, 9, or 10. The reason for this is that these sites are nestled right between three towering mountains, surrounding you with constant stunning landscapes. Also, there are fewer known sites to see in this direction, which means there are far fewer cars that will pass by. This is important since every time a car passes by, it normally will kick up a lot of sand and dust. Initially, we had wanted to stay at sites 4-7 located right beside the Natural Arch, but then we realized given the popularity of the Arch, your campsite will be constantly disturbed by visitors throughout the day.
- Bring toilet paper as they only have dry toilets and do not supply toilet paper.
- Make sure to purchase groceries beforehand as there are no well-stocked grocery stores nearby. On-site, all they had was firewood and a fridge with some beers and drinks. There is also a small restaurant on-site if ever you need an emergency meal.
- The road leading to Spitzkoppe is very bumpy and dusty. Ideally, you would be driving there in an SUV. We saw a sedan going through that road but had to drive very slowly.
Tours that Include Spitzkoppe
There are many incredible tours that take you through Namibia, including Spitzkoppe. This 21 days Southern African Southbound: Dunes, Deltas, & Falls tour, for example, will bring you through the best highlights of Namibia, as well as going through the Kalahari in Botswana and ending in Victoria Falls.
For a 21 day trip, this G Adventures tour is incredibly well-priced
Go2Africa – Specialized Africa Tour Operator
If you would prefer to organize your trip with a Tour operator that specializes in all things Africa, then we would highly recommend Go2Africa. They are Safari experts with first-hand experience of all the safaris and lodges, they support local conservation projects, and even provide 24/7 support once you are on your trip. This is especially important as you can encounter many obstacles while traveling through Africa and having a local to guide you can save you from a lot of stress.
They have a perfect 10-Day Self-Driving Namibia Tour that visits all the highlights that we personally visited. However, on this tour, you will be staying at some stunning lodges rather than camping. Also note that oftentimes, tour operators can get better rates than what you can find online.
We compared booking our trip independently vs. with a tour operator and the difference was often negligible. Also, keep in mind that all their tours are customizable so if you want anything changed or added, they will be happy to help!
Where to Go After Spitzkoppe
After visiting Spitzkoppe, you can either head South towards Swakopmund to kayak with the seals and then visit the amazing sand dunes of Sossuvlei, or head north towards Damaraland or see the incredible wildlife at Etosha National Park. To help you with your planning, make sure to also check out our guide on Where to stay in Etosha National Park where we compare the best lodges.
Finally, for a complete and detailed guide on how to plan your Namibia road trip and the best things you’ll experience in Namibia, check out our Namibia Itinerary Guide.
Reaching Swakopmund takes only about 2 hours whereas going up towards Etosha will take about 6 hours.
Using WISE card in Namibia
When taking cash out of an ATM while abroad, you will most likely be charged both a foreign exchange fee and a foreign transaction fee by that country’s ATM. With my Canadian card, this can easily be 3-4$ + 2.75% + a markup on the exchange rate charged by my bank, and then another 3-5$ charged by the foreign ATM.
This can be really costly. For this reason, we recommend using WISE card which has only minimal fees and just about no foreign currency exchange markup. This helps me save at least 5-7$ every time I take out money from an ATM. If you want to see our full review of the card showing exactly how WISE can help you save, check out our WISE Travel card Review post.
Recap: Guide to visiting Spitzkoppe
Spitzkoppe turned out to be one of the highlights of our trip through Namibia. With the breathtaking orange landscape, the beautiful sunrises and sunsets, and the unforgettable night sky filled with stars, our experience there will forever remain etched in our memories.
We hope this guide has been helpful and inspires you to explore this hidden gem, which is not always included in Namibian itineraries.
Next up, make sure to include Etosha National Park in your itinerary! Here we saw incredible wildlife on our self-drive Etosha Safari!
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