Damaraland

Damaraland is the name that was given to the north-central part of what later became Namibia, inhabited by Herero-speaking people, who in the 19th century were often referred to by outsiders as "Damaras". Damaraland is bounded roughly by Ovamboland in the north, the Namib Desert in the west, the Kalahari Desert in the east, and Windhoek in the south.

Damaraland covers more than 160 000 hectares and lies close to the south-western border of Etosha National Park . Damaraland is best known for its spectacular desert scenery.

The Twyfelfonteinarea of Damaraland is famous for its many rock engravings and paintings. The rock engravings on the smooth rock surfaces depict different animals and their specific tracks. Scientists believe that these engravings and paintings are between 1 000 and 10 000 years old. Not far from Twyfelfontein there are more exciting attractions, one of them being the 'Petrified Forest' where you will see tree trunks that are around 280 million years old. The Brandberg Massif, Namibia's highest mountain, is also found in Damaraland. The mysterious “White Lady of Brandberg” rock painting is located here.

Damaraland is not an area to visit if you expect to see teeming game herds, but you have a chance of seeing the legendary desert-dwelling elephants and even black rhinoceros, as well as Hartmann's zebra, gemsbok, springbok and ostrich. Damaraland is one of the most picturesque areas in Namibia, with its open grasslands, granite kopjes and ancient water courses.

Damaraland boasts one of the most pristine wilderness areas in Namibia, the Huab River Valley. The area offers panoramic vistas of stark plains, ancient valleys and the soaring inselberg of the Brandberg Mountains.