Climb Namibia
Granite in the Desert
Granite in the Desert
Namibia offers one of the most distinctive climbing landscapes in Africa — vast desert plains punctuated by isolated granite domes and hidden river valleys. Most major crags lie on the central plateau between the Namib and Kalahari deserts, making it possible to link several areas into a single trip while camping under spectacular night skies.
Winter, from May to September, is prime season: dry weather, cool mornings, and perfect friction on sun-warmed slabs. Expect big horizons, wildlife encounters, and an experience that feels far removed from crowded European or North American climbing destinations.
"You will be outdoors virtually the whole time, it is a great destination for nature lovers"
— The Crag Journal
Climb Namibia Festival
Rising dramatically from flat desert sands, Spitzkoppe is the country's most famous climbing area, known for its golden slabs, sharp summits, and long, adventurous routes. The Namibia Climbing Festival takes place here over 9 days in May.
Camping, Community, and Festival Life
Camping is central to the Namibian climbing experience, and Spitzkoppe delivers it in style: isolated pitches, fire pits, star-filled skies, and desert silence broken only by wind through granite towers. Facilities at the rest camp make long stays comfortable while preserving a wild, remote feel. Showers, running water and toilets are available. Bring a tent, sleeping bag, and sleeping pad.
What to Expect on the Rock
Spitzkoppe's coarse granite and run-out slabs demand composure and careful footwork. Bolting is often spaced, the climbing highly technical, and route character varies significantly by sector. Some walls offering excellent compact stone, others requiring a more adventurous mindset.
Seasons and Weather in Namibia
May in Namibia is the beginning of our winter months so evenings can get chilly. The average low/high temperature is 9/29°C (48/85°F). The nights can be chilly, so we recommend bringing a good sleeping bag as well as a warm jacket. The afternoons will be hot and the sun is strong, so bring sun protection, like a light long-sleeve sun shirt, wide-brim hat and sunscreen.
Festival Tickets
Early bird special Event price N$5900 ($390/€310) for 6 weeks from launch. Standard price N$7000 ($470/€380). This includes all meals, camping and the event t-shirt.
Buy Tickets
What to Bring
We recommend bringing a tent, sleeping bag, and sleeping pad. A headlamp is also recommended. Bring your climbing gear, including a helmet, harness, rope, quickdraws and a belay device. A 60m rope is recommended, as many of the climbs are long and/or multipitch. A trad rack is also a great idea.
Climbing Guidebook
The most current resource for climbing in Namibia is Namibian Rock by Tony Lourens, released in 2025. It updates the long-standing 2010 guide and includes modern topos, access notes, and expanded coverage of key areas such as Spitzkoppe, the Pontoks, Erongo, and Omandumba; making it the best single reference for festival visitors planning days on the rock.
The guidebook is available online through specialist climbing retailers such as Climb-Europe and from outdoor shops in southern Africa. Many climbers also cross-reference it with theCrag and the Namibia Mountain Club website for the latest route information and local updates before arriving.
Purchase
