Damaraland, the ancestral home of the Damara people, stretches across a vast area north-west of Namibia’s capital, Windhoek. Sparsely-populated (the Damara form just 8.5% of Namibia’s total population) the region nonetheless has a fascinating array of sights.
Its southern reaches, closest to Windhoek, are watched over by the Brandberg and Gross Spitzkoppe mountains, rich in ancient rock art paintings including ‘the White Lady.’ Nearby Twyfelfontein boasts thousands more, in an incredible state of preservation. Meanwhile, the Petrified Forest of huge fossilized trees has been frozen in time for millions of years and makes for a dramatic backdrop.
Further north, Damaraland becomes known for its wildlife, such as desert-adapted elephant, rhino, lion, and zebra. Largely free of the crowds of Etosha National Park, staying at one of the region’s camps or lodges is a great way to experience a safari with a difference while investing in rural communities.
For wildlife, Damaraland is best visited during the May to October dry season, when animals are forced to congregate around the remaining waterholes. Plant lovers might prefer to time their visit to Damaraland with the low season from November to April. This is when the region’s wild flowers bloom, giving color to an otherwise arid landscape.
Namibia Travel Guide
Namibia Tours & Safaris / Namibia FAQ / Namibia Weather / Namibia Accommodations
Top Namibia Travel Destinations
Etosha National Park / Fish River Canyon / Namib-Naukluft Park / The Skeleton Coast / The Zambezi Region / Windhoek
The Big Five
African Elephant / Cape Buffalo / Leopard / Lion / Rhino
