Hiking Trail 3

• Length of trail 3 - 15 km

Please take along:

• drinking water
• a lunch package
• a radiotelephone
• the keys for the refuge hut

This trail is about 15 km long. The first half leads through mountainous terrain over a rather steep pass, whereas the second half is on relatively flat Savannah ground. It is most advisable to take drinking water, provisions, a radiotelephone and keys for the refuge huts on the way.

Since this trail leads through varying landscapes, you will see a variety of different animals. Probably Hartmann's mountain zebra, Kudu, Klipspringer, Rock dassies, Chacma baboons and Impala in the beginning, then Blesbok and Oryx to name but a few.

This trail also starts behind our museum. Walk along the fence for about 500 meters to the left until you reach the junction. This will be marked »Klippspringer Pad«. Follow the sign to the »Wasserfall« slightly to the right. Ignore the track 100 meters on leading to the riverbed. After 2.5 km a small path leads to the right to an old marble mine (only a few meters away), which might be interesting to see.

Back on the main trail, 500 meters further on you will pass the dry river bed for the last time and you will see the »Mountain Hut« to your left. The view from this hut is lovely and interesting, taking in the waterfall and one of the very few eternal water holes in Namibia, so it is a good place to rest.

After leaving the »Mountain Hut«, follow the »Leoparden Pad« to the left for a further two kilometers. A junction goes to the left and you will notice that this trail climbs rather steeply over the pass. Turn left at the start of the climb and the view from the peak will be ample reward for your effort. Once over the peak and descending again, you will see an old lithium mine to your right with a track going through it.
It is really worthwhile to climb up here and to finally reach the »Roof of Etusis« which has a breathtaking view over the flat Savannah towards the Kudu Mountains.

This track eventually comes to a dead end, so you will have to return to the original track. Continuing along this track you will reach a deep river bed and a dam, at the dam you will see the refuge hut »Naikos«. From this viewpoint a lot of game can often be seen at the watering hole and as you have travelled about 7 km,     a rest in the hut might be welcome

Afterwards, follow the trail marked »Leoparden Pad« to the right. About 500 meters further on there is a track to the left which leads to the observation hut over the carrion, where one often sees vultures or small predatory animalswhen a carcass is left there. The leopard only appears during the night.

After returning to the »Leoparden Pad«, follow it for about 800 meters to the clearly visible tourmaline mine where there is a junction to the left which you should follow. There is a track about one kilometer later up the hill to your right. The view from here is quite impressive, and worth the climb.
 

Follow the trail until you come to the electricity lines, 500 meters after that you will reach the main road. 

Take a right here. After another kilometer you will pass an old shepherd's hut on your left.
 

Disregard the next junction which is 300 meters further. After a kilometer you will come to a junction on the left which leads to our landing strip. Continue on the main trail for 3 km until you see the entrance to the Lodge grounds in front of you. You will have walked for at least 15 km.