Showcasing Namibia’s Most Dramatic Landscapes
The mountainous semi-desert region of Damaraland borders the nearby Skeleton Coast National Park in the east and Etosha National Park in the south. A luxury Damaraland safari showcases Namibia’s most dramatic landscapes. Here you will find the picturesque Brandberg, Namibia’s highest mountain which is also home to a treasure trove of ancient rock paintings, including the famous White Lady painting. The rocky outcrops of Twyfelfontein, a UNESCO World Heritage site also feature more than 2500 bushmen engravings. In the south lies a small cluster of mountains, the highest the Spitzkoppe mountain which towers above the surrounding plains. This is also one of the most scenic Namibia safari areas to see desert-adapted wildlife, including elephant, black rhino, Hartmann’s zebra and lion, which miraculously eke out a living in this barren landscape. Private desert safaris offer you the opportunity to track these creatures with experienced rangers.
Abundant History, Culture and Heritage at Twyfelfontein
Twyfelfontein, which means “Fountain of Doubt” is the name of a valley in the Damaraland highlands, historically inhabited by the Damara. The rocky outcrops of Twyfelfontein, a UNESCO World Heritage site feature more than 2500 bushmen engravings, the largest collection in Southern Africa, which can be viewed during a guided safari. Also remarkable is that the engravings were made without the use of metal tools. A Twyfelfontein guided safari also includes other natural wonders such as the Burnt Mountain, Organ Pipes and Petrified Forest. You may also see the fascinating desert plant Welwitschia Mirabilis.
Brandberg and Spitzkoppe, Namibia’s Highest Mountains
Brandberg meaning “fire mountain” is Namibia’s highest mountain, reaching 257 meters in height. The name directly translates the sheer magnitude and impressiveness of this massive mountain, located in the north-western part of the Namib Desert and covering 650km2. However, the most famous part of the Brandberg is where the White Lady rock painting is located and is accessible by a guided safari hike. The rest of the mountain range also offers access to 45 000 rock art paintings. A sacred secret of Damaraland is the Spitzkoppe mountains. The granite outcrops are more than 120 million years old and the highest outcrop rises about 1,728 metres above sea level. The peaks stand out dramatically from the flat surrounding plains, and the surrounding boulders offer the most incredible photographic opportunities, especially at sunrise and sunset.
Track Desert-adapted Elephants and Black Rhino
During a luxury Damaraland safari you can spend time with experienced rangers to try and track the unique desert-adapted elephants and black rhino found in this area. The elephants, regularly seen between May and October have eked out a living in this barren landscape and local conservancies also offer protection to these special species. In the mountains to the east there are resident steenbok, baboon, kudu, porcupine, klipspringer and warthog, joined by wide-ranging herds of Hartmann’s mountain zebra, gemsbok and springbok. Equally nomadic, but less common are giraffe, cheetah and lion. Birding highlights include the endemic Rüppell’s korhaan, Monteiro hornbill, Herero chat and black eagles.
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