A Complete Guide to Damaraland North
Written by Nina van Zyl
Damaraland North can easily be described as one of the last truly wild places on earth. With vast uninhabited areas, ancient rock art and unique creatures adapted to this desert ecosystem, a visit to Damaraland North is the perfect opportunity to go for hikes, game drives, camping and explore prehistoric rock paintings. Keep reading for our complete guide to Damaraland North.
Location
Damaraland North is bound by 2 non-perennial rivers to the north and south, the Hoanib and Ugab respectively. Along its western boundary lies the famous Skeleton Coast, while on its eastern flank is Etosha National Park. At its centre is its unofficial capital, the sleepy settlement of Palmwag. Today significant parts of the area are made up of conservancies, including the Torra Conservancy, where small communities co-exist with wild animals. Another feature of Damaraland North is Twyfelfontein, Namibia’s first World Heritage Site, home to a massive collection of prehistoric rock paintings and engravings.
How to get there
By car
A drive from Windhoek to Palmwag can easily take more than 6 hours, especially as you might want to stop for a snack or to fill up with fuel on the way. A good rule of thumb when driving in Namibia is that it always takes longer than expected, so hit the road early. When doing self-drives, we recommend doing your trip in a convoy of at least 2 cars, as a breakdown in an area with help far away is never fun. If you happen to come across elephants, try to give them a wide berth and if you see that you are parked in their path, calmly move as they have right of way. With black rhinos, we recommend enjoying their presence from a distance as these guys are known for having a short fuse and charging unsuspecting vehicles with no provocation.
By plane
Access to Damaraland North is also possible with fly-in safaris and many lodges have private airstrips that make travelling to your destination quick and easy. Not to mention that seeing this area from the sky is a fantastic way to explore it.
Best time to go
As with most of Namibia, the best time to visit is during the autumn or winter, after the rainy season has ended, when days are warm— rather than hot — and nights are cool. Damaraland North is desert, so expect chilly temperatures at night no matter which time of year you visit. In the summertime, water sources are more plentiful, meaning wildlife can be harder to find. In the dry winter months, animals may stay closer to rivers, offering better opportunities to spot them during game drives.
What to do
Main attractions
Damaraland North is known for its epic unspoilt natural landscapes, free-roaming wildlife and ancient rock art. Visit Twyfelfontein, a prehistoric site and the location of more than a thousand rock paintings and engravings, about two hours’ drive south of Palmwag. These were created by pre-historic hunter-gatherers that lived in the area.
More recently, Damaraland was named after the Damara people during South Africa’s mandate of Namibia, and was designated their “homeland”. These days, you can learn more about these fascinating people by visiting what is called a Living Museum, which showcases their culture through an interactive tour of a village.
Then there are the animals, such as Damaraland’s desert-adapted elephants, wild lions, its sturdy population of endangered black rhinos, as well as numerous endemic and near-endemic birds, reptiles and mammals.
One of the best activities in the area is to hike the mountains and koppies (rocky hills), sleeping under the stars and exploring the wilderness. Many lodges have directions for simple same-day hikes around the area as well.
Lastly, we have to mention the living fossil that calls the area home, the Welwitschia mirabilis, a plant endemic to Namibia and southern Angola that can (and does) live for thousands of years.
Nearby
The famous Skeleton Coast, the site of many ships’ eventual demise, stretches up alongside Damaraland North up to the Kaokoland. You can easily take day trips to and from the Skeleton Coast. Inland from Damaraland North is the world-famous Etosha National Park, known for its large numbers of animals congregated on its white-dusted plains.
Further south is Namibia’s highest mountain, the Brandberg, where you can also visit its most-famous rock painting, the White Lady (who is apparently neither white nor a lady).
Wildlife
The best way to see the area is through a game drive, either guided or by yourself. Damaraland’s desert-adapted elephants are the area’s giants, slow-moving yet majestic and are well worth searching to spot them. Other treats are black-faced impalas, black rhinos and, of course, the desert-adapted lions, although they may be most active at night. Remember to keep your distance from the animals when you are self-driving, especially if you come across a lone elephant bull or black rhino. These guys have no problem when it comes to charging a vehicle.
Accommodation
Basic
Palmwag Camping2Go
Located in rugged Damaraland, this campsite offers the perfect way to relax and unwind in nature without having to worry about setting up camp. Palmwag Camping2Go is fitted with 8 permanent tents that each feature 4 beds and an en-suite bathroom with a shower. Enjoy a nature walk or guided game drive and encounter some of the resident wildlife. You can also book a full- or half-day desert-adapted rhino tracking outing on the Palmwag Concession.
Kaoko Bush Lodge
Spot wildlife in the 3000-hectare game park surrounding the lodge, or go bird watching or on a quick hike. The campsites each have private ablutions while the chalets are cosy and comfortable. With only a few minute’s drive to Etosha National Park’s Galton Gate, Kaoko Bush Lodge makes for a convenient stop-over between Damaraland North and the Park.
Twyfelfontein Adventure Camp
Conveniently located within minutes of Namibia’s most famous geological wonders, Twyfelfontein Adventure Camp sits among a tapestry of incredible rock formations and breathtaking desert landscape. The 12 furnished en-suite tents have solar-heated hot water and shaded terraces which offer a nomadic escape. A visit to the neighbouring Damara Living Museum offers a fascinating look into the people, heritage, pulse and soul of Damaraland.
Medium
Etendeka Mountain Camp
A short drive from Palmwag, the Etendeka Mountain Camp lies in the foothills of the Grootberg massif, with dramatic views over the rugged landscape. Eco tents provide creature comforts, with outdoor “bucket” showers and secluded locations. Located in the Etendeka Concession, Etendeka Mountain Camp works in close partnership with the local community. Explore the surrounding environment and sleep under the stars with an unforgettable guided walking tour exclusive to Etendeka Mountain Camp.
Damara Mopane Lodge
Part of the immensely successful Gondwana group, Damara Mopane Lodge has everything a weary traveller might need, plus a whole lot of character. Each chalet has its own little vegetable patch, with quirky scare-crows thrown in, that provides fresh produce for the restaurant. A large swimming pool lies at the heart of the lodge, while the viewing platform is the perfect spot for sundowners after a long day. The lodge is accessible for visitors with limited mobility.
Grootberg Lodge
Perched on the edge of the Etendeka Plateau, Grootberg Lodge can probably lay claim to being located in one of the most spectacular settings of any lodge in Namibia. The 15 chalets are all individually decorated and carry a homely and welcoming vibe. The pool area and outdoor deck also afford breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape, which you can enjoy over a drink after a hard day’s safari.
Fancy
Camp Kipwe
Designed to feel part of the surroundings, Camp Kipwe is made up of round rondavel-like structures with stunning views across the Aba Huab Valley. With boulders as walls and open-air en-suite bathrooms, the luxury rooms offer privacy nestled between the rocks. The entire lodge is eco-friendly, from the cooling-temperature design to the use of energy-saving light bulbs. As part of a local conservancy, Camp Kipwe also supports projects such as a community vegetable garden and the desert lion project. Visitors can enjoy tours to Twyfelfontein, Burnt Mountain and the Organ Pipes, as well as game drives to spot the giants of the area, the desert elephants.
Twyfelfontein Country Lodge
Nestled against the foot of a rocky mountainside, Twyfelfontein Country Lodge is situated in the heart of Twyfelfontein. Blending in with the natural surrounds, the lodge offers stunning views of the Huab Valley from its deck, which is the perfect place for a sundowner after a long day’s exploration. With its mouth-watering meals and large, refreshing swimming pool, guests may be tempted to spend all day at the lodge. For the more adventurous, a guided drive around the area is sure to result in sightings of desert-adapted elephant and more.
Doro Nawas Camp
On the edge of the parched Aba-Huab River and overlooking the rugged Damaraland plains lies Doro Nawas Camp. With 16 chalets made of eco-friendly wood, canvas and thatch, as well as a spacious family unit, the lodge merges seamlessly with the surroundings. Visitors can enjoy the stunning starscape overhead on their private veranda as well as during an outdoor shower. Doro Nawas Camp offers excursions to fascinating nearby rock engravings and paintings, as well as a refreshing pool for rest back at the lodge.
How to include Damaraland North in your Namibia adventure
With its combination of wilderness and ancient art, Damaraland North is a must-visit on any Namibian itinerary. Try any one of these tours around Namibia to see Damaraland North and other Namibian highlights.
Tour 1: The Namibian Starter Pack: Self-Drive Adventure on a Budget - A “crash course” of Namibia, including all the must-sees, like Etosha, Swakopmund, Sossusvlei, and Damaraland, of course.
Tour 2: Wanderer’s Namibian Bucket List - Apart from visiting rocky Damaraland, you can look forward to spotting desert-adapted wildlife at Etosha, exploring the world-famous Sossusvlei, and ending your adventure in the Kalahari Desert.
Tour 3: Ultimate Eco-Luxury Getaway: Namibia's Finest - Experience the best Namibia has to offer with an eco-conscious trip around the country, indulging in out-of-this-world scenery and spaces wilder than your imagination.
Insider Tips
Cellphone signal is unreliable, and population density in the area is very low, with only a few settlements here and there, so make sure not to drive solo, as help might be difficult to come by.
As is the rule when it comes to the desert: always take extra water.
A spare tyre and GPS are musts, while a satellite phone is never a bad idea in an area as remote as Damaraland North.
It’s one of the last truly wild places on earth, so what are you waiting for? Damaraland North is ready to be explored. Book your trip to Namibia here and get ready for the adventure of a lifetime.