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Namibia:
Damaraland and Kaokoland
Damaraland is one of the most scenic regions in Namibia with stunning landscapes ranging from expansive sand dunes to soaring mountain peeks, ancient valleys, boulder strewn floodplains and curious rock formations.
This is a varied, vast and incredibly silent landshape, home of the OvaHimba people. Rivers and Steep mountain ranges dissect this region, with passes which seem unconquerable, like the famous Van Zyl's Pass. Seasonal rivers like the Hoarusib or Hoanib meander through these semi-desert and desert landscapes, serving as the lifeblood for the entire region.
Kaokoveld is regarded as one of the last wild and secluded areas in Namibia. As yet, travelling routes concentrate on a few villages and connecting roads. The largest part of this huge land, especially the west, is scarcely populated or not at all. Getting there is adventurous to say the least and only possible by 4x4 vehicles.
The Brandberg Mountains in the south of Damaraland are a popular attraction, honeycombed with caves and rock shelters and home to some fascinating bushmen paintings. The Brandberg is the largest mountain in Namibia, and a favourite place for climbers along with the Spitzkoppe.
In and around Damaraland & Kaokoland
Northern Damaraland has many private reserves which offer walking and 4x4 safaris. Elephant and Rhino tracking safaris are also popular and many lodges run them.
Twyfelfontein boasts thousands of well-preserved bushman engravings and the Brandberg is home to the famous ‘White Lady’ bushman painting. Other sights include the Petrified Forest, 2.5 million years old, and the Vingerklip, a towering finger of limestone.
There are also many interesting towns in the region such as Khorixas, Kamanjab and Omaruru.
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Accommodation in Damaraland and Kaokoland (Namibia)
Situated on the northern face of the Huab River Valley and looking south toward the imposing Brandberg Mountains, Damaraland Camp offers its guests endless vistas.
Desert Rhino Camp lies alongside the Uniab River in Northwest Damaraland, situated in the 1 million-acre private Palmwag Reserve between Etosha and the Skeleton Coast - few places on the planet can offer this level of privacy and wilderness experience.
Doro Nawas Camp is situated in the ruggedly beautiful Damaraland area, on a rocky outcrop within the floodplain of a small tributary of the Huab River.
Situated within the Huab Private Nature Reserve, in the Damaraland region of Namibia, Huab Lodge is a charming settlement, where guests will quickly feel at home.
Serra Cafema Camp is one of the most remote destinations in all of Africa. Perched on the banks of the Kunene River, the camp shares this region with the wonderful and colourful Himba people, some of the last true nomadic people of Africa.
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Other regions in Namibia
The Caprivi in the north-east of Namibia is a narrow strip of land, 450km long and 100km wide.
Damaraland is one of the most scenic regions in Namibia with stunning landscapes ranging from expansive sand dunes to soaring mountain peeks, ancient valleys, boulder strewn floodplains and curious rock formations.
Like all of Namibia's landscapes, Etosha National Park is immense. It is the third largest national park in the world.
Fish River Canyon is famous for its stunning geographical features. The Canyon, one of the largest in the world, meanders and corkscrews for almost 160 kilometres.
The Skeleton Coast is a stretch of coast in northern Namibia, famous for the numerous skeletal shipwrecks embedded in the shores and the almost inhospitable, yet incredibly beautiful, desert that surrounds them.
Sossusvlei’s apricot dunes, the largest in the world, are one of the main highlights of any trip through the Namib Dessert.
Swakopmund is Namibia’s largest coastal town and traditional 'summer capital'.
Looming 150 metres above the plains below, the Waterberg is a spectacular sandstone plateau, 50km long and 16km wide. The area is extremely lush and fertile with a mosaic of trees and savannah supporting an abundance of wildlife including many rare and threatened species.
Windhoek, Namibia's busy capital, is a brilliant tourist spot with impressive architecture, lots of good restaurants, and easy access to nearby reserves.
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Example itineraries in Damaraland and Kaokoland
Rhino and Elephant Tracking Safari
A short 3-day safari giving you the chance to sight a variety of game in Namibia's beautiful Kaokoland. You depart from Palmwag Lodge in the early morning. The next three days will be spent tracking down the famous desert elephant as well as the threatened black rhino in the 5000 km² private concession area of Palmwag Lodge. Your return journey takes you back through Fort Sesfontein.
Kaokoland and Kunene River Namibia Safari
Depart from Palmwag Lodge into the central Kaokoland, and over the notorious van Zyl’s Pass into the Marien River Valley. Meet the Ovahimba and get acquainted with their ancient customs and traditional way of life, and explore the Hartmann Valley during your two nights’ stay at the luxurious Serra Cafema Camp. The return trip traverses the eastern border of the Skeleton Coast via the Hoarusib and the Hoanib River to Palmwag Lodge.
Damaraland Wilderness Experience
This 9 day safari tour will take you to the cape fur seal colony at Cape Cross, the Messum Crater, the Ugab and Huab river areas, the Hoarusib River Valley and the game rich private concession area of Palmwag Lodge, hosting a huge variety of game, including the black rhino and desert elephant. The journey ends with an exciting outing to the private concession area of Etendeka before returning back to Swakopmund via the Skeleton Coast Park border.
This guided safari offers the client a perfect opportunity to experience Namibia's unspoilt North West. Encounter Namibia’s desert adapted elephants, nomadic Ovahimbas, the mighty Kunene river and its spectacular Epupa waterfalls, and the beauty of the Hartmann valley in total isolation from the bustle of the normal tourist routes. The tour ends with a final relaxing overnight at Palmwag Lodge (or similar) before returning back to Swakopmund via Twyfelfontein and its famous rock engravings.
Rivers and Mountains of Damaraland
Namibia's most interesting geology and rock formations can be found in the north west of the country. This specialised 6 day tour leads the client into some of the oldest and most impressive geological areas of Namibia, including the Messum crater, the Ugab and Huab river formations, Doros Crater, Twyfelfontein and the Etjo sandstone occurrence. From here, travel on past the majestic Brandberg and finally on to Namibia's own “Matterhorn”, the spectacular granite formations of the Spitzkoppe.
Ovahimba Safari in the Central Kaokoland
This excellent 5-day Namibia safari starts at the Palmwag Reserve and continues over the Sesfontein Pass into the centre of the Kaokoland. Experience the nomadic way of life of the Ovahimba and enjoy three overnight stays in the Hoarusib River, before moving onto the Hoanib River, home to the desert adapted elephant, where you’ll spend a night under starry skies. The return trip takes you to Fort Sesfontein.
This 4 day Namibia safari gives you the chance to follow the mighty Kunene River, visit the fort town of Sesfontein, the Epupa Falls, and a number of Ovahimba settlements in the Kaokoland. You depart from Palmwag Lodge and make your way to the Epupa Falls via Sesfontein, visiting a number of Ovahimba Settlements en route. Enjoy overnight camping on the banks of the magical waterfalls and day time walks to explore the surroundings. Return to Palmwag Lodge on day four via Fort Sesfontein.
