Naukluft Mountains

The Naukluft is a block of dolomite and limestone rising out of the desert on the eastern side of the Namib-Naukluft Park, cut by deep kloofs where springs run permanently and pools hold water all year, which in this landscape makes it an island of green. Hartmann's mountain zebra, kudu and leopard use it. Two trails run here: the Waterkloof and Olive day walks, and the eight-day Naukluft Trail, which is among the hardest in southern Africa and requires a medical certificate to book.

What you actually see

• The kloofs - deep gorges with permanent spring water and pools.
• The eight-day trail - a demanding circuit requiring a medical certificate to book.
• The day walks - the Waterkloof and Olive trails, both circuits from the camp.
• The mountain zebra - Hartmann's zebra on the dolomite slopes.

When to go

March to October is the cooler window and the only period the long trail runs. Summer heat from November to February is dangerous on these routes. Water in the kloofs is most reliable after summer rain.

Honest expectations

The eight-day trail is genuinely hard, with chains and ladders on some sections, and it is closed in the hot months. The day walks involve scrambling and are longer than they look. Water must be carried even where pools exist.

Nearby

Sesriem and Sossusvlei are southwest, and Solitaire is northwest.