Damaraland
& the Northwest
A stark, perpetually surprising landscape of red rock mountains, the barren surroundings of Damaraland are interspersed with tenacious vegetation and the odd sand dune or grassy meadow.
Damaraland Safaris
Get a rare sighting of desert-adapted elephant, rhino and lion or join researchers at Desert Rhino Camp to specifically head out to track rhino in the stunning desolation of Damaraland.
Harsh lunar vistas, deep silence, unbelievable starry skies, and a geological Disneyland are the order of the day in Damaraland. While animals live in the region, they are not a dime a dozen, and you should prepare for some exciting hours “on the case” if you are hoping for a chance to actually see one. You can actually join researchers at Desert Rhino Camp where you can specifically head out to track rhino.
Surprising as it may sound, there are people in Damaraland too, though not many. Now referred to as the Damara, these unsuspecting folk were relocated from South Africa in the 1960s under the Odendaal Plan, and somehow scratch a living from land that is poorly-suited to both crops and livestock. They are charming, bubbly people, and you will no doubt spot their odd tumble-down homesteads, looking like something from the Old West while you travel through this area against the backdrop of towering inselbergs.
Aside from gazing open-mouthed at the night-sky, you can also enjoy walks, guided drives and mountain biking. Another great highlight here is a visit to Twyfelfontein, a rock kopje that exhibits a vast and ancient collection of rock engravings. The wildlife here is of the specialist kind, so you won’t see huge gatherings of animals, but those which do dot the landscape will generally be uniquely adapted to this environment. You will probably spot springbok, gemsbok, greater kudu and possibly lion, cheetah or if you are very lucky, one of the desert-adapted elephants or rhinos.
+ Read More
- Wandering desert elephants
- Tracking desert rhino with expert guides
- Stunning desert scenery
- Home to the dramatic Skeleton Coast
-
ATOL Protected
-
24/7 Guidance & Support
-
20+ Years of Experience
-
We take care of the leg work
-
We find you the best deal
A print anthology of safari and wilderness travel with over 220 pages of travel inspiration.
Best time to visit Damaraland
With our summer coinciding with African wintertime, the cooler conditions and clearer skies between July and October offer the best chances of seeing the locally-adapted wildlife during a Damaraland mobile camping trip.
These months may make up the high season, and bring with them a greater number of fellow visitors to the area, but this will hardly disrupt the day-to-day experience of being in this serenely secluded part of Namibia. Damaraland’s low humidity and consistent sunshine during the winter months, in advance of the rainy season towards the end of the year, will also ensure that you get the best chance of seeing as many of the region’s animals as you can.
The low season between December and June sees nature return to life in Damaraland, springing up as short-but-heavy bursts of rain break the otherwise hot and arid conditions. This is the time of year when you will be able to see newborn animals and a much greater diversity of bird life, as well as a glorious range of stunning flora unique to the region.
Best time to visit Damaraland
Talk to our Experts
They’ll be happy to let you in on their travel secrets, and help you plan a tailor-made trip that’s truly unforgettable.
Top experiences in Damaraland & the Northwest
Our Favourite Camps & Lodges
The camp has ten rooms, scattered around the boulders and making the most of their unusual shapes to create unique spaces.
Learn More
One of the best things you can do here is take a glass of wine outside after dinner, turn off all the lights and just look at the stars.
Learn More
Desert Rhino Camp does what it says on the tin. Within a sanctuary to the largest free-roaming population of desert-adapted black rhino left in Africa.
Learn More
This camp provides an excellent base for exploring the fascinating geological phenomena and pre-historic rock engravings at Twyfelfontein.
Learn More
Mowani is situated with huge panoramic views of the beautiful Damaraland that guarantee sensational evening sundowners.
Learn More
Flung up in the far northern reaches of Namibia, where the country borders Angola, Serra Cafema sits on the Kunene River.
Learn MoreDamaraland (FAQS) NEED TO KNOW
Is it possible to combine a trip to Damaraland with other areas of Namibia?
Absolutely – although you may well be tempted to visit Damaraland to spend a week or two in total seclusion, this level of isolation is what makes the region well-suited to being part of a longer itinerary within Namibia itself, or other safari destinations in nearby countries. If you would like to discuss what you hope to get out of a Damaraland safari experience, get in touch with us today, and we can help you plan your trip around it.
What is the accommodation like in Damaraland?
Scenic and breath-taking at every turn of the head, Damaraland’s dry river valleys, towering red rock mountains and desert landscape make for a tough backyard if ever there was one. That’s why it may come as a surprise that there is a wealth of different types of accommodation available for visitors to the region, ranging from the smaller rustic camps which give you a more rugged, authentic experience, to more polished lodgings like Damaraland Camp.
Owned and mainly run by the local community, Dam Camp (as it is known) is a pioneering project to integrate local communities into conservation and tourism, and it is hard to imagine a place where people need such an opportunity more. The contemporary tented lodges are decorated to reflect the muted colours of the desert and each has a private verandah with a lovely view.
Is Damaraland and Namibia’s northwest a suitable destination for families?
With family-friendly places to stay and a range of activities available for visitors, often organised through the camps, Damaraland can be an ideal location to visit as part of a longer family safari in Namibia.
From our Travel Guides
Meet Our Travel Experts
It takes genuine local knowledge to craft trips that go beyond the ordinary. The Natural High team have unrivalled experience and will take your ideas and turn them into your trip of a lifetime.
Into The Wild Brochure
Need some more inspiration? Request a copy of Into The Wild, our comprehensive anthology of safaris and wilderness travel.
A print anthology of safari and wilderness travel with over 220 pages of travel inspiration.