Major city · Namibia
Epupa Falls
Spend 2–3 days at Epupa Falls; base at Kapika Lodge or a community camp and fit in rafting or a guided walk.
Epupa Falls is a remote waterfall on the Kunene River, surrounded by Himba villages. Access is by 4x4 road, with basic camps and a modest lodge. A short stay lets you see the falls, try river rafting or a nature walk, and experience local culture.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- NAD
- Best months
- May–Sep
- avoid Jan–Mar (cold, limited services)
- Airport
- Opuwo (OPW)
- Nights
- 2
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 7Nine African countries on this site have no trip line bec…Across the subregion, plan every road leg to arrive befor…
- Africa ↗When a route touches a yellow-fever country — even a transit of 12 hours or more — keep the original yellow card (ICVP) in your hand luggage; health desks and airlines can refuse boarding or entry without it.
- Africa ↗Nine African countries on this site have no trip line because governments advise against travel; several others have no-go regions. Read your government's advice for every country on the route before paying deposits.
- Southern Africa ↗A rental car may leave its home country only with the rental company's cross-border letter, the registration papers and paid road taxes at each post; driving into Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique or Angola without them ends at the border.
- Southern Africa ↗Across the subregion, plan every road leg to arrive before sunset: livestock, wildlife, pedestrians and unlit trucks make night driving the main cause of serious visitor accidents.
- Namibia ↗Check visa and entry rules for your passport on official Namibian government sources before booking: since 1 April 2025 citizens of 33 countries, including the US, UK, most of the EU, Canada and Australia, need a visa on arrival or an e-visa.
- Namibia ↗Taking a rental car into Botswana, South Africa, Zambia or Zimbabwe needs written permission from the rental company and the right papers; ask when you book.
- Namibia ↗Etosha gates open at sunrise and close at sunset: you must be inside a camp or out of the park by closing time.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Epupa Falls081 924 ▾
- Ambulance and rescue (private, E-Med Rescue 24)081 924
- Kunene region emergency (Opuwo police)065 273 011
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Epupa Falls, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Namibian dollar (NAD, N$), pegged 1:1 to the South African rand; rand is accepted in Namibia…Namibia-wide
- SIM or eSIMMTC has the widest coverage; TN Mobile is the alternative.Namibia-wide
- Tap waterTap water is safe in Windhoek and main towns (Windhoek recycles water to drinking standard).Namibia-wide
- TippingRestaurant: About 10%.Namibia-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets D/M. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Namibia-wide
- SafetyRemote but generally safe; respect wildlife, keep water away from the falls, and travel in daylight.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsClean at fuel stations, lodges and park camps; few facilities between towns.Namibia-wide
- Emergency numbers081 924 ambulance and rescue (private, e-med rescue 24) · 065 273 011 Kunene region emergency (Opuwo police) (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysSmall-town shops close Saturday afternoon and Sunday; fuel stations in towns are open daily.Namibia-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportOPW Opuwo Airport (Closest public airstrip, no scheduled flights; 4x4 road to Epupa Falls (~2 h).).
- Getting aroundDrive the C43 road (4x4 required) from Opuwo or Kunene; no public transport.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Street or quick mealMeat stall goat pieceN$5
- Budget bedCommunity camp site (tent), a night, per personNAD 0
- Mid-range bedKapika Waterfall Lodge double room, a night, per personNAD 1,500
- High-end bedKapika Waterfall Lodge double room, a night, per personNAD 1,500
A day, not counting the bed: Budget NAD 800 · Mid NAD 1,200 · High NAD 1,800
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- OPW Opuwo Airport (Closest public airstrip, no scheduled flights; 4x4 road to Epupa Falls (~2 h).)
Map of Epupa Falls
Where it is, and the guides within about 120 km.
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Feb
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Mar
Avoid
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Apr
not flagged
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
May
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Jun
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Jul
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Aug
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Sep
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Oct
not flagged
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Nov
not flagged
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Dec
not flagged
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Best: May–Sep. Avoid: Jan–Mar. Month by month →
Warmest Jan (30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)), coolest Jun (8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C) low), wettest Jan (5 rain days), driest Jun (1). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Epupa Falls: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
5 rd
Feb
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
5 rd
Mar
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
4 rd
Apr
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
3 rd
May
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
2 rd
Jun
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
1 rd
Jul
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
1 rd
Aug
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
1 rd
Sep
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
2 rd
Oct
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
3 rd
Nov
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
4 rd
Dec
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
5 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Drive the C43 road (4x4 required) from Opuwo or Kunene; no public transport. Within the settlement walk to the falls.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
River rafting on the Kunene
goDoor to door: ≈ 2 h (including prep)
Book at Kapika Waterfall Lodge; launch from the river near the falls
N$680 per person (2021 price, check for 2026).
Guided nature walk
goDoor to door: ≈ 1.5 h
Book at Kapika Waterfall Lodge; start from the lodge trailhead
N$285 per person (2021 price, check).
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Epupa Community Camp Site
Budget camping, metres from the falls, basic ablutions.
Motjikutu Epupa Campsite
Very basic, on the river, no facilities.
Kapika Waterfall Lodge
Mid-range lodge, N$1,500 per person sharing includes bed, breakfast and dinner.
Epupa Lodge & Campsite
Chalets and camping, pool, restaurant.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- N$800–1,200 excl. bed
- Mid
- N$1,200–2,000 excl. bed
- High
- N$2,000+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Kapika Waterfall Lodge double room2 × 2 nights × NAD 1,500 | NAD 6,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × NAD 1,200 | NAD 4,800 |
| River rafting2 × NAD 680 · check | NAD 1,360 |
| Guided nature walk2 × NAD 285 · check | NAD 570 |
| eSIM data (1 week)2 × NAD 250 · check | NAD 500 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | NAD 1,323 |
| Trip total≈ NAD 3,638 per person per day, bed included | NAD 14,553 |
includes breakfast and dinner
2026 estimate in NAD; flights and long‑distance car hire excluded.
Prices of common things
| Meat stall goat piece | N$5 |
| Bottled water (1 L) | N$50 |
| Rafting on Kunenecheck | N$680 |
| Guided nature walkcheck | N$285 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Crocodiles and hippos in the Kunene River; swimming is unsafe.
- Cellular coverage is patchy; bring an eSIM or satellite device.
- No scheduled flights; only fly‑in safaris land on a gravel strip 8 km (5 mi) away.No scheduled flights; only fly‑in safaris land on a gravel strip 5 mi (8 km) away.
Emergency numbers
- Ambulance and rescue (private, E-Med Rescue 24)
- 081 924
- Kunene region emergency (Opuwo police)
- 065 273 011
Pocket card
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Epupa FallsEpupa Falls
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
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—
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Ku Epupa Falls, tjaTo Epupa Falls, please
Emergency
- Ambulance and rescue (private, E-Med Rescue 24)081 924
- Opuwo police (Kunene region)065 273 011
Embassy
No embassies at Epupa Falls; the nearest consular help is in Windhoek (US, German and other embassies) — check addresses and hours before you drive.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Rafting on the Kunene: N$680 per person (Feb 2021 price, check)
- Guided nature walk: N$285 per person (Feb 2021 price, check)
- Bottled water, 1 L at the camps: about N$50
- Beer from the can at Kapika Lodge: N$35
Say or show
- Tjike — Hello (tji-keh)
- Okuhepa — Thank you (oh-koo-heh-pah)
- Ove ngapi? — How much is it? (oh-veh ngah-pee)
- Oku ihi ko? — Where is the toilet? (oh-koo ee-hee koh)
- Me vanga okuranda ndji — I would like to buy this (meh vahn-gah oh-koo-rahn-dah n-jee)
- Me vanga okukupa esanju? — Can I take a photo? (meh vahn-gah oh-koo-koo-pah eh-sahn-joo)
Cell coverage is patchy: download offline maps and save these numbers before you leave Opuwo.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Epupa Falls. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: May–Sep · avoid Jan–Mar (cold, limited services) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 4 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 2 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Add a 4x4 rental from Opuwo (≈ N$800 per day, check).
- Secure a campsite reservation at Kapika Lodge (N$1,500 per person).
- Arrange a guide for cultural visits to Himba villages (price varies).
Sources
Ask about Epupa Falls
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