Travel Guide Namibia: Damar­a­land

Damaraland is located in the northwest of Namibia. Characterized by gorges, hills and table mountains, it is one of the most impressive and interesting areas of the country.

The extraordinary landscapes and the wild animals which defy drought and aridity inspire visitors of the region again and again. Particularly in the west, populations of the highly endangered black rhino can be found alongside the impressive desert elephants.

Damaraland also has a lot to offer culturally: Thus, a visit to the Spitzkoppe, the Brandberg or Twyfelfontein can include thousands of years old rock and cave paintings. Damaraland - a real highlight of a journey through the vastness of Namibia.

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Name
Damaraland

Location
In the northwest of Namibia, approximately situated between the Brandberg and the small village Sesfontein

Size
approx. 48,000 km²

Animals
Elephants, rhinos, lions, giraffes, zebras, ostriches, various antelopes

Best travel time
May to November

Highlights
The landscape and wildlife in itself, the Brandberg, the Spitzkoppe, Twyfelfontein

Visiting Damaraland

Location, geography and climate of Damaraland

The 48,000 km² Damaraland is a sparsely populated area in the northwest of Namibia. In the north it borders on the Kaokoveld, in the south on the Brandberg massif and in the west on the Skeleton Coast. The landscape is mainly dry, arid and barren and alternates between mountain ranges and stony plains.

Especially the Namibian summer (November to March) brings very high temperatures in Damaraland, up to 40°C. Throughout the year it rains very little or not at all. Large, dry riverbeds cross Damaraland. After heavy rain, these can turn into torrential rivers for a few hours.

Flora and fauna in Damaraland

Dry deserts, rugged mountains, thorny plateaus and seemingly endless lunar landscapes characterise the appearance of Damaraland.

But the appearance of an extinct area is deceptive, because a multitude of animals has adapted perfectly to the extreme living conditions over time. Visitors may be able to spot elephants, giraffes, zebras, lions, various antelopes, black rhinos, ostriches and other wildlife.

The flora of Damaraland includes numerous endemic desert plants, such as the poisonous Euphorbia Damarana or the seemingly bizarre Welwitschia. However, lush vegetation is not to be expected – Damaraland's main attraction is its rocky, rugged landscape of wonderfully rugged beauty.

Highlights in Damaraland

A highlight in Damaraland is undoubtedly the rough, moon-like landscape with its adaptable and amazingly species-rich wildlife.

Especially in the north of the region, in the dry riverbed of the Huab River, populations of the fascinating desert elephants can be found with a little luck. And also the rare desert lions that are sadly facing extinction put in absolute astonishment.

The mighty Brandberg massif, the almost 1180m high Spitzkoppe and the Petrified Forest in Kunene, which bears its name because of its several hundred million year old fossil tree trunks, are also breathtaking attractions.

For those who are interested in culture there are furthermore many opportunities to learn more about the history of this unique region. For example, in Twyfelfontein, Namibia's first UNESCO World Heritage Site, thousands of years old rock paintings of the San can be admired.