We headed North to Damaraland.
Spectacular Damaraland!
Damaraland is a different kind of desert, No dunes, but instead, rocky outcrops dot the land, and it is very arid. There are very few human settlements, and this is really one of the most magical regions of Namibia. It is a more challenging region for drivers, but the roads do not require a real 4×4 and a high clearance vehicle is sufficient. Remote, beautiful, and to cap it all, home to herds of specially adapted desert elephants, whom we had come to try see! This is not a national park or a game reserve, so it’s the locals who know where the elephants are at any given time.
It is a more challenging region for drivers, but the roads do not require a real 4×4 and a high clearance vehicle is sufficient.
On the deck in Damaraland.
After driving a good half day northwards from Swakopmund, we arrived at our camp, amazingly located amongst the huge boulders and rock outcrops of the area. That afternoon, we had planned to visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Twyfelfontein – a world famous prehistoric rock art site, but unfortunately the local community had decided that it didn’t at any outsiders for fear of Covid-19, and so we unfortunately we could not enter. Namibia is home to a number of spectacular ancient rock art sites depicting animal life, hunting scenes and much more, but this will have to wait until a future visit.
Sunset
Rainbow at sunset
Instead, we relaxed at camp and enjoyed a spectacular evening at a view site located above the massive boulders, with a view that just went on and on. Truly Africa at its best! We spoke to other guests who had seen a large herd of the desert elephants that day, and we were really excited for our early excursion the next morning.
