Damaraland & Kaokoland

Venturing inland from the Skeleton Coast, the bleak, foggy and desolate landscape along the seaboard soon gives way to new biomes. The coastal plains incline towards the desert mountains before the ground levels out onto Namibia’s central plateaus. Damaraland lies to the east of the Skeleton Coast, occupying the transitional zone between coast and inland plateau. Above this is the region of Kaokoland. These are the lands of the resilient Himba and Damara tribes and home to a clutch of familiar African species, who seem to have defied all odds and adapted to survive the inconceivably tough conditions.

Damaraland

The name of this region comes from the Damara people who live here and constitute a large share of its very low population. The region is also home to a variety of game including zebra, giraffe, antelope, elephant and black rhino.

Damaraland is famous for its numerous, intriguing natural landmarks such as the Petrified Forest, the volcanic Burnt Mountain and the basalt Organ Pipes, a peculiar geological feature comprising numerous 12 ft high dolerite columns. Damaraland incorporates the Brandberg, Twyfelfontein and Spitzkoppe and is also renowned for its incredible prehistoric rock paintings and engravings.

Twyfelfontein, Spitzkoppe and the Brandberg

Twyfelfontein

This area boasts one of the most extensive collections of rock art in Africa with over 2,500 examples scattered around the local area. The engravings are about 6,000 years old and were most likely made by San hunters during the Early Stone Age. The images (which are dominated by animals and animal tracks) were created by cutting into the soft stratum that coats the local sandstone. When the rocks subsequently eroded, this stratum was regenerated, hence covering the original engravings and preserving them for thousands of years.

Not far from Twyfelfontein is a distinctive, volcanic ridge and the unusual Burnt Mountain, which looks exactly as its name suggests – as if someone has set fire to a mountain and all that is left is a pile of ashes and clinker.

The Spitzkoppe

One of Namibia’s most distinguishing landmarks, the Spitzkoppe is a giant, 1728m high granite outcrop that rises abruptly from the arid Namibian plains that surround it. The Spitzkoppe (meaning ‘sharp head’) is the remains of an ancient volcano and contrary to its appearance it is very difficult to reach the summit. However, boulder hopping across its lower reaches is definitely manageable, although this should be approached with caution in the summer months as the rocks become painfully hot!

The Brandberg

Brandberg means ‘fire mountain’ and it is so called because of the effect of the setting sun on its western face. At 8,550 feet, its summit is Namibia’s highest peak. Here you will find the Tsisab and Numas ravines, both displaying a multitude of weird and wonderful rock paintings.

Kaokoland

Here, the conditions are even harsher than in Damaraland - and the ability of certain animals to survive the intensely arid conditions is even more startling. There are gemsbok, kudu, springbok, ostrich, giraffe, mountain zebra and small numbers of rhino. But the most astonishing inhabitant of this inhospitable region must surely be the desert elephant. Kaokoland is extremely remote and, once you leave the Sesfontein-Opuwo tourist route, there is virtually no traffic. There are a few scattered villages but they have absolutely no services whatsoever. Heading off into this region as an independent traveller is without a doubt the reserve of the intrepid!

Photographs by Dana Allen and Michael Poliza with kind permission of Wilderness Safaris