200 kilometres east of the Skeleton Coast, Damaraland is situated in towards the north-centre of Namibia. The name came from the Damara people who live in the area. Here the landscape is beautiful and the views are incredible, the scenery changes from open plains and it becomes rocky and mountainous. The ground changes from the red sand of the Namib Desert and the white sand found in the Kalahari of Namibia to become grey and earthy tones found in Damaraland. The landscape is filled with granite koppies and large gorges.
One of the main reasons one would visit Damaraland is for the desert elephants and the wild rhinos. To see them you need to take a guided tour, generally run by the lodges, if not they can book one for you. The Grootberg Lodge offers these and has the most spectacular views from the top of the Grootberg Pass. On these excursions to find the wild rhinos, you need a guide as the roads are off track and would not want to take your 4×4, as well as being in a protected area. It can be dangerous, there are wild lions in the area, and the ground to be covered is so vast it is highly unlikely you would find a rhino or elephant on your own. The rhino’s are endangered and protect against poachers so monitored 24/7, you need a guide.
There are historic rock paintings in the caves and on the rocks around the Twyfelfontein springs. The Brandberg is Namibia’s highest mountain and this is where you can find the famous White Lady bushman painting. The Branberg is also a popular place for rock climbers, if you are heading to Damaraland from the Skeleton Coast you will pass these sites.
Approximately 225 million years ago the trees which now make up the Petrified Forest, were swept along the riverbed by floods. They were buried and around 60 million years ago the trees started to resurface. The area in the Petrified Forest as well as much of Damaraland is full for natural quartz crystals, you can see large clear quartz, amethyst and yellow citrine. The local bushmen sell this on the sides of the road as you are driving through.
