Located in the northwest of Namibia, sandwiched between the Skeleton Coast and Etosha National Park, lies the vast, untamed and ruggedly beautiful Damaraland.
It might not be the most famous region in the country, but it’s certainly one of the most scenic.
This is a place of epic desert-scapes and dramatic geological formations, like the towering granite inselbergs (a German word that literally means “island mountain”) that rise abruptly from the surrounding plains and glow orange-red against the endless blue African sky.
Damaraland is also home to Namibia’s highest mountain, the Brandberg. In a list of the highest mountains on Earth it doesn’t even rank in the top 100 – and it’s still higher than Mount Kosciuszko! It’s impressive nonetheless, and offers a tough hike for anyone wanting to check out the amazing views from the top, and the ancient rock paintings that can be found all over the mountain. Made by the San (Bushmen), they’re estimated to be 2,000 to 4,000 years old.
Even more rock art can be found at Twyfelfontein, about two hours’ drive away. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is one of the largest collections of rock art in Africa, and you can see thousands of paintings and engravings of giraffes, lions, rhinos, cattle and geometric markings in this ‘open-air gallery’.
Other strange geological formations – and brilliant photo ops – in Damaraland include a petrified forest that’s roughly 280 million years old, basalt columns that look like organ pipes (known as, um, the Organ Pipes), and the incredible Doros crater, which was created by a meteorite hitting the earth.
And then there are the Damaraland animals.
Because it’s so exceptionally dry only the hardiest wildlife species can survive here, and they must travel vast distances in search of food and water sources: it’s lucky then, that Damaraland is unfenced so that they can roam freely.
You’re likely to spot ostrich, springbok, gemsbok, zebra, giraffe and maybe even a spotted hyena, but it’s the unique desert-adapted elephant and critically endangered desert-adapted black rhino and lion that are the real drawcards.
Very few desert lions still remain here, but with patience and a really good tracker you might be lucky enough to see desert-adapted elephants and even rhinos.
There’s no guarantee, but just searching for them will take you into some of Namibia’s most extraordinary countryside. And if you do manage to spot any of these elusive animals, the excitement and satisfaction you’ll feel as you metaphorically tick them off your safari bingo card will ensure Damaraland always holds a special place in your heart.
Whether you’re travelling by land or air, if you’re planning a multi-stop Namibian odyssey, a few days in Damaraland is a must.
Contact us and let’s get started on your Namibia holiday planning today.
