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My Kunene, Desert Elephant and Rockart Trails are classified as a five-star trail, implying that you need to be totally self sufficient with regards to food, water, fuel, vehicle spares and tyres before heading into this rugged mountaines wilderness. Reliable, mechanically sound 4x4 vehicles are essential as you will be far from help in event of a problem. Variety is part of the attraction and you can expect to have your driving ability tested by rocky tracks, steep slopes and inclines in the mountainous terrain, dune driving and fast gravel roads. In many places the going will be slow.

Vehicles and equipment:
Its important that your vehicle is reliable and in a good condition. Good mechanical knowledge is important. Always carry a good Workshop Manual for your vehicle with you. Its recommended that you form a group with more than one vehicle. Its important that the vehicles are equipped with recovery gear such as a well maintained high-lift jacks (make sure you can use a high-lift jack on your vehicle BEFORE you go on the trail), spades (one short and one long handle versions). I will not worry to much about winches in winter but for summer you might have to be equipped or at least one vehicle should be equipped with a winch. I had the need for a heavy-duty hammer (10bls long-handel) to make boulders in the tracks smaller to cross.

Each vehicle should carry a large fire extinguisher as sections of the trail transverse grasslands where the risk of fire caused by grass caught underneath the vehicle is great also at camp sites where you are surrounded by inflammable material. Frequently check the underside of your vehicle for grass caught around the exhaust.

With modern vehicles you are in a dilemma on the subject of automotive spares e.g. water hoses. I drive a Landrover Tdi and there are a great number of water hoses attached to the engine, which spare am I going to carry with me? It is to costly to buy every rubber pipe, therefore I decided to keep duff tape, silicone glue and spare clamps in my toolbox. Modern vehicles are equipped with sophisticated drive systems and when a fan belt does break, you can not use stockings etc. So, include all visible belts as there are usually 3-4 used on the engine. A good selection of tools are important. It will not be a bad idea to include a no.10 blou draad roll as this wire has many fixable features.

Tyres:
Its absolutely essential that each vehicle carries two good-quality spare tyres on rims unless you are using tube-type tyres. Tubeless require great amount of air to seat the tyre to rim which is not available in this region. Include a complete tyre repair kit for emergencies. Tyre pressures are important on this trail as you will be traveling over uneven rocky tracks where you will require hard tyres to protect the tread and sidewalls. On sandy, corrugated and riverbeds you will need to deflate your tyres and inflate again for rocky tracks. A good 12 volt pump is a great piece of handy equipment but don't forget to pack the old hand pump as well.

If you are using a cigarette type connection, ensure that the socket inside the vehicle is protected by a 25 - 30 Amp fuse. Also carry sufficient amount of various fuses in the vehicle for spares. If you are using a compressor that's been mounted inside the engine compartment, make sure that it does work when the engine is hot. Mine was installed very close to the turbo and did not work when the engine was hot, it had a heat protection cut-out circuit, therefore the hand pump! Subsequently, I've installed it underneath the driver seat and since had no problems.

My main concern to tackle this trail was the availability of fuel and type of  tyres to use as most of this terrain is over rocky tracks, steep slopes and inclines. The only person who really could give proper advice regarding type of tyres to use, was Jan Joubert. He said that it's OK to use ply tyres as the side walls are much stronger than radial and cheaper. Also the availability of this type of tyre and especially for the Landrover is greater than radial as the 16 inch is also used for tractors and the high concentration of Landrovers in that area. I did not want to use my "fancy" rims and expensive radial tyres for this trail and as I had spare steel rims available, I decided to go for ply tyres. I had no problem what so ever with these tyres, as the Landrover was heavily loaded and could only reach a top speed of 110 - 120 on tarred roads, the low speed rate of these tyres did not worry me at all. Even the so called noise factor did not hinder me either.

Fuel, water, gas and batteries:
All publications had various information regarding petrol stations. Most of these publications started there routes from Kamanjab via Opuwo or Ruacana. The small town of Kamanjab forms the gateway to the Kaokoland and is located on the main road from Otavi to Ruacana. Well serviced by the fuel suppliers. Opuwo is on route to Ruacana. At Ruacana the petrol station only except cash as payment, either in N$ or SA Rand. The petrol station at Kamanjab and Ruacana is very modern. Could not give a comment on Opuwo as I did not visited the town. Fuel is available at Fort Sesfontein at Sesfontein (cash only) although a handling fee is charged for after hour service.

There are no lead-free fuel available, only leaded and diesel. At Ruacana I paid N$2-26 per liter diesel. I've filled the 120 liter tank of the Landrover and had 120 liter on the roof carrier. It was not necessary to carry that amount of spare fuel as I only added 40 liters at Purros and had more than enough left in the main tank when we've reached Sesfontein. I would advise a total fuel supply for at least 1000 km for the around trip, to Sesfontein, the route I've followed.

Also fill up your water containers at Ruacana, as the water supply at the town is purified and clean. There is water along the route but very brackish and at springs it may be dirty. Remember to boil river, spring or borehole water first before you drink it.

Most modern petrol station do gas bottle refills as was the situation at Ruacana. After Ruacana there are no refill facilities.

Check your batteries and charging systems beforehand. I knew before I went on this trail that there was a loose alternator connection but never really paid attention. Eventually after sever jump starts I've fixed he nagging problem at the end of the trail, fortunately we had no real problems.
 

Food Supplies:
There are very few shops in the Kaokoland south and west of Kamanjab. Kamanjab might have some supply. Ruacana even less. If you traveling from Windhoek, stock up as you will have a greater range of various products. As you travel on the tar road from Windhoek towards Kamanjab, the towns get smaller and smaller with less variety. Meat supplies can be bought from Windhoek up to Kamanjab. I am not sure about the facilities at Opuwo.

Beer and cold drink bottles/tins take heavy punishment on these tracks due to the very thin aluminum containers. I've wrapped every tin with one sheet of news paper for protection. Nothing worst to arrive at your campsite only to find the back of your vehicle damped by beer or cold drink mixed with fine dust! Wrap eggs as well.

The first modern campsite in the Kaokoland on my way to Sesfontein was Purros. It had a brick building for an office with solar lighting as well as solar fridges. Cold beer and cold drink was available at highly inflated prices! There were camping sites with their own toilets and showers.

Emergency telephone numbers:
It's a good idea that everyone in the party carries a list of emergency telephone numbers of next to kin's. Passing towns and remote villages which has telephone or radio-telephone connections, write down the Clinic, Police and Garage with towing facilities. Cell phones does not work in this region, only satellite. It's a good idea to have radio's (CB) in every vehicle but will not work for emergencies, their range are to short. Only close to the civilization e.g. farms and towns, will a CB work and also if there are receivers on the other end!

Trailers:
Except for the route to Van Zyl's Pass and the pass itself, you can tow trailers, BUT the trailer should be of a 4x4 type, a well balanced packed. Once again two vehicles should be in the party, in case of  breakdowns. Check the towbar on the vehicle for any cracks and loose body mountings and pack in a spare gooseneck coupling beforehand. Check the wiring system underneath the trailer (brake, indicator and lights), are they well protected against flying stones? The trailer over these rocky and steep terrain will reduce your speed and will have a great effect on your fuel consumption. The going will be tuff!

General guide of do's and don'ts:

Stay on the tracks. It not only visually scars the landscape, but also causes fundamental ecological damage and erosion.

Treat river courses, water and boreholes  in these dry region with respect. Never camp close to any water. Animals, domestic and wild has the first right to any water and humans should not prevent access to it. Never camp in river beds especially where there are any signs of Elephant, Rhinos or any wild animal spoor. It has been reported that people were killed at night by Elephant in riverbeds.

Do not contaminate any water at dams, springs or wells with detergents and soap, as both humans and animals rely on this water. Always seek permission before drawing water from a borehole or dam near settlements.

Make fire with care. Only collect enough wood for your basic needs. Kill fires properly and bury traces of you fire before leaving a campsite. Try to make campfire on previous fire sites made by fellow travelers.

Take all your rubbish with you. You brought the tins and paper to this region, you take them out as well. Never bury your refuse. When going to the veld to toilet, use the cat method - dig a hole and close it well afterwards.

Maintain a safe speed at all times and give way to any animal or people on the route. Also make way for those who want to pass you as soon as possible. Driving in a convoy, keep a good distance from the vehicle in front of you and on higher speed and dusty roads, keep your driving lights (not parking) on - make yourself visible for front coming traffic in the dust.

Kaokoland is communal land belonging to the Himba. You are their guest, it's important that you respect their property, customs and traditions. Never try to photograph the Himba or settlements without seeking permission. Some form of payment such as sugar, maize or tobacco should also be offered. I've found that red cotton cloth and canvas needles work fine for women and tobacco for men. Don't handout sweats and pills or any medication. Never enter a kraal or hut without first being invited in. If invited into a kraal you should identify the headman's home as it's the biggest hut. It also has the holy fire situated outside it. Never walk between the main hut and the holy fire.Himba graves are fascinating, if somewhat gruesome places, treat them with the utmost respect by keeping your distance from burial site.