Kaokoland is the big one — a genuine expedition into Namibia’s remote north-west, where the tracks are unmarked, the river crossings serious, and self-sufficiency is non-negotiable. This is Pajero overlanding at its most rewarding, and its least forgiving.
The Route in Brief
From Opuwo the support fades fast. Van Zyl’s Pass is the headline obstacle — a steep, loose, committing descent that should only be attempted downhill, in 4L, with a spotter and a convoy. Beyond it lie the Marienfluss and Hartmann’s Valley, sand and gravel plains that go on forever. Budget far more time than the distances suggest.
Self-Sufficiency Checklist
- Range for 700+ km between fuel — long-range tank or jerry cans
- Two full-size spares, a tyre repair kit and a compressor
- Recovery kit: boards, kinetic rope, bow shackles, and a winch if you can fit one
- Water for at least three days beyond your plan, and a satellite communicator
Why the Pajero Belongs Here
This is exactly the terrain the Pajero built its Dakar reputation on. The 2.8TD and 3.2 Di-D diesels sip fuel, the Super Select system handles the surface changes without drama, and the ground clearance copes with the rock. Travel in a convoy of two or more, never alone — Kaokoland does not give second chances.