Damaraland

NAMIBIA | DAMARALAND

This vast desert landscape is known as one of the most beautiful regions in Namibia. Huge, untamed and ruggedly beautiful, Damaraland is an exceptionally scenic landscape featuring open plains, ancient valleys and spectacular rock formations.

The major attractions are the sacred Spitzkoppe, the Brandberg, Twyfelfontein, Vingerklip and the otherworldly Petrified Forest. Visitors can take in the dramatic vistas, catch a glimpse of the rare desert-adapted elephant, and enjoy spectacular stargazing in crystal-clear night skies from one of the many safari camps dotting Damaraland.

Other popular activities include: guided drives, nature walks and visiting the local communities. Don’t miss the opportunity to view the Damaraland’s world-famous ancient rock art.

REGION HIGHLIGHTS

Set out in the morning by 4x4 to follow the Save the Rhino monitors as they track one of their charges – the desert-adapted black rhino. Due to the vast terrain, long distances can be covered, with other wildlife to be seen along the way.

Learn more about the lesser-known flora and fauna that survive in this harsh environment. Adaptation is a necessity for desert wildlife and walking through the desert environment offers unique insights on this phenomenon.

Respectfully engage with local communities and learn about the unique heritage of the Nama-Damara, Herero and Ovambo people.

Morning and afternoon game drives reveal the dramatic scenery and fascinating wildlife of the region. Desert-adapted elephant are a highlight, although the natural cycle of rainfall dictates the seasonal movements of wildlife in the area.

ACCOMODATION

These are a selection of lodges that we feel combine well for this journey. However we do also have a range of options to consider in each region, and can tailor them to you preference.

Desert Rhino Camp

In a wide valley sometimes flush with grass, Desert Rhino Camp lies in the enormous Palmwag Concession, where trackers patrol and protect one of Africa’s largest free-ranging populations of Critically Endangered desert-adapted black rhino. Rhino tracking on foot and by vehicle with these dedicated conservationists is a unique and exclusive wilderness experience; other activities include exploring the area on full-day outings, nature drives or walks. The camp has eight comfortable Meru-style tents and a main area that overlooks a sweeping plain dotted with Namibia’s national plant, the welwitschia. The campfire inspires storytelling under Namibia’s star-studded skies.

Hoanib Valley Camp

In a country jam-packed with vast, spectacularly beautiful landscapes, Kaokoland may just be the most incredible of them all. Deep in north-western Namibia, the area is a melee of towering mountains, sand dunes, and huge expanses of desert, scattered with unique wildlife and nomadic Himba settlements. It’s also one of Namibia’s most remote and wild environments, and one that not many will get the chance to discover in a lifetime. And that’s exactly why we’ve decided to build Hoanib Valley Camp. A joint venture between the local communities and the Giraffe Conservation Foundation, the world’s only Africa-wide giraffe conservation organisation, the camp is an elegant, intimate affair that immerses you into the wilds of the desert.