Refuge to miraculous desert-adapted wildlife, including lions and elephants

During the day, Damarland’s boundless sceneries, breathtaking boulders, and vast mountains will have your eyes locked on its landscapes. At night, the African sky is switched on, and you’ll be enchanted all over again. As one of Namibia’s last “unofficial” wildlife regions, Damaraland is home to the desert-adapted lions and elephants, gemsbok, zebra, giraffe, and spotted hyena. Hosting some of Southern Africa’s finest prehistoric rock art engravings, an iconic petrified forest, and home to the Damara people, every inch of the magnificent 160.000 ha area will transport you into another world.

Highlights

1
Be transfixed by the moon landscape of Welwitschia Plains.
2
Witness ancient rock art in Brandberg.
3
Experience the petrified forest, burnt mountain, 4m-high dolerite organ pipes, and Philips Cave to see the humpbacked white elephant painting in Twyfelfontein (A UNESCO World Heritage Site).
4
Witness Damaraland’s landscapes and wildlife at the nature reserve in Palmwag accompanied with elephant and rhino tracking.
5
Visit Damara Living Museum to witness traditional village life and embark on a bush walk.

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Best time to go to Damaraland

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You’ll be relieved to hear that the dramatic and glorious Damaraland is a year-long destination! However, the best time to visit is in May through to September, due to animals frequenting waterholes, so you’ll be spoiled with especially rare sightings. If you want Damaraland all to yourself, avoid visiting in July to September when some places can get rather busy. From October to January things can get heated during the day, so come prepared with clothes to stay cool and enough water to hydrate you during your daily experiences!

Featured Damaraland stays

Ai Aiba Lodge

Thatched safari lodge in the rocky foothills of the Erongo Mountains
From$77 /ppn
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