Damaraland & Kaokoland, Namibia

Contact a specialist about Damaraland & Kaokoland, Namibia

Namibia, as they say is the land of contrasts, and having had first hand experience of this beautiful country, I can agree full heartedly. I visited Namibia in February 2006 with a group of fellow tourism associates, on a mission to learn about the 'Land of Contrasts'.

• Sarah Renshaw
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Damaraland

The name Damaraland is derived from the the Damara people who live in this area. If forms the region south of Kaokoland and north of the main road to Swakopmund. 'Damaraland' is still commonly used in tourism circles, although the entire region has now been renamed; the southern section now lies in the Erongo region while the north forms part of the Kunene region.

Damaraland is one of the most scenic areas in Namibia, prehistoric water courses with open plains and grassland, massive granite koppies and distant mountains create the landscape. Game species include desert elephant, black rhino, ostrich and springbok. The Brandberg and Spitzkoppe are two favourite places for climbers in Namibia, and both mountains contain a high density of San (Bushman) art. A new addition to tourism in the area is the exciting addition of Rhino and Elephant tracking safaris, proceeds from these safaris go towards the preservation of these animals.

Kaokoland

Inland from the Skeleton Coast covering some 50,000km2 lies the harsh mountainous area known to the Himba people as Kaokoland – one of the wildest and most untouched areas of Africa. This is the home of the semi-nomadic Himba, some of the last people in Africa to be effected by western ways, they are genuinely welcoming and friendly – good to know if you happen to get lost in this vast wilderness! But of course they don't speak any European languages and may not be too familiar with the inner workings of your 4x4 vehicle. Kaokoland is also famous for its desert elephants. Travelling in small herds these great animals range far and wide in search of food and water, browsing mainly on the indigenous Ana trees they may spend days looking for a drink. The mighty Kunene River forms the northern boundary of Kaokoland full of crocodiles, white water rapids and waterfalls, to raft here is something special. At Epupa Falls the mighty river tumbles down a deep narrow gorge on its journey west to the Atlantic Ocean.

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