Daan Viljoen Hiking Trail Windhoek: 12 km Guided Walk

The reserve has no large predators, so you walk freely across open terrain.

A guided hiking tour from Windhoek to Daan Viljoen Game Reserve, 24 kilometers outside the city in the Khomas Hochland mountains, covering 12 kilometers of marked trails over a half day. You'll spot wildlife including giraffe, kudu, zebra and springbok, and watch for over 200 bird species including Monteiro's Hornbill and Ruppell's Parrot. Hotel pickup starts at 7:15 a.m., and you're back in Windhoek by 1:30 p.m. A professional English-speaking guide leads the walk. Snacks and water are provided.

Step-by-step itinerary

Hiking and wildlife viewing at Daan Viljoen

• Pickup from hotels at 7:15 AM
• Drive 30 minutes to Daan Viljoen Game Reserve
• Hike Rooibos and Wag-'n-Bietjie Trails (12 km)
• View wildlife: giraffe, wildebeest, oryx, kudu, zebra, springbok
• Bird watching of over 200 species including Monteiro's Hornbill
• Learn about plants and geology on guided trail
• Return to office and freshen up
• Drive back to Windhoek, arrive around 1:30 PM

The experience

Twelve kilometers across two trails (the 9-kilometer Rooibos Trail and the 3-kilometer Wag-'n-Bietjie Trail) makes up the day's route through Daan Viljoen Game Reserve. The reserve sits in the Khomas Hochland high hill mountains, about 30 minutes' drive from Windhoek, and the absence of large predators means you walk on open ground instead of staying close to a vehicle. A professional guide leads the way on well-marked paths, pointing out plants and explaining the geology as you move through the terrain.

Wildlife viewing is the draw: giraffe, blue wildebeest, oryx, kudu, mountain zebra and springbok move through the reserve, and the dam area attracts permanent birdlife. Over 200 bird species live here, including endemics like Monteiro's Hornbill and Ruppell's Parrot. The hiking ends around 12:30 p.m., and you walk back to the office to use the restroom before the drive back to Windhoek.

Pickup happens at 7:15 a.m. from your hotel or apartment, and you arrive back in Windhoek around 1:30 p.m. Snacks and water travel with you. Bring a high level of fitness for the 12-kilometer distance and the terrain.

What’s included

• Hotel or apartment pickup and return transport.
• a professional English-speaking guide.
• snacks and water throughout the hike.

Before you book

Days and timesMonday and FridayDepartures at 07:00, 07:30 and 23:30

Book up to5h before

AgesAdult (17 to 64 years) · Senior (65 and older) · Youth (6 to 16 years) · Under 6: can't be included in the booking

GroupUp to 10

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 2 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Demanding physical levelPublic transport nearby

Operated by Kavana Tours Namibia

Is this one for you?This is a guided group hike on marked trails, so you walk at the guide's pace with other hikers rather than setting your own route. The 12-kilometer distance and terrain demand solid fitness, making it suited to hikers comfortable with a half-day commitment and the physical demand of sustained walking in open country.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (6 to 16 years). Under 6: they can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What wildlife will I actually see on the Daan Viljoen hiking trail?

Giraffe, kudu, mountain zebra, springbok, blue wildebeest and oryx live in the reserve, and over 200 bird species use the dam area as a permanent water source. Monteiro's Hornbill and Ruppell's Parrot are among the endemics you may spot.

How early does the hike start and when am I back in Windhoek?

Hotel pickup is at 7:15 a.m., and you return to Windhoek around 1:30 p.m., making it a half-day commitment that leaves the afternoon free.

Why is it safe to hike on foot in Daan Viljoen?

The reserve has no large predators, so you walk freely on the marked trails instead of staying in or near a vehicle.

What's included in the tour price?

Hotel or apartment pickup and return transport to Windhoek, a professional English-speaking guide, snacks and water are all included.