Damaraland
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Damaraland is one of Namibia’s most scenic and interesting regions. It is situated about 200 kilometres inland from the dramatic and much photographed Skeleton Coast with its ghostly shipwrecks and deserted beaches. It is surrounded by the Ovamboland in the north, the Namib Desert to the west, the Kalahari Desert in the east and Windhoek in the south.
Damaraland Highlights:
The Brandberg (Fire Mountain) is Namibia’s highest mountain and home to the ‘White Lady’ Bushman painting. The mountain was named after the effect of the glowing red sun setting on its western face.
The fossilised tree trunks of The Petrified Forest are estimated to be over 200 million years old. They grew to heights of over 40 metres and were the ancient ancestors of the present day conifer and ferns. They are thought to have been deposited into a silica rich environment at the site by flood water from areas further north, and with no oxygen contact decay was prevented.
The Vingerklip (finger rock) is an impressive sight - a towering obelisk of limestone rising 35 metres above its base, balancing precariously on the top of a conical shaped mound. It is surrounded by beautiful flat topped mountains, the remains of ancient lava flow which was eroded over time.
Spitzkoppe (sharp head) is a pointed inselberg rising an impressive 1728 metres above the surrounding gravel plains. The formation of the Spitzkoppe happened about 130 million years ago when the continents were separating. During this time many areas of Namibia would have experienced volcanic activity. At this time of magma intrusion and cooling within the surrounding rock formation the peak of the Spitzkoppe would have been below ground level. The ongoing erosion sine then has reduced the softer rock to the present day ground levels leaving interesting rock formations. Spitzkoppe is also a place of ancient mystery to the San people.
Twyfelfontein (doubtful spring) is a rocky outcrop with thousands of Bushman engravings which were developed over two thousand years before 1000 AD. They were created as part of the regions hunter gatherers rituals and represents rhinoceros, giraffe, elephant, animal footprints and humans. There are also depictions of human to animal transformations. Archaeologists have also discovered stone artefacts, pendants and beads at the site.
The best time to visit Damaraland is in the cool months of May through to December when the average temperatures during the day are a pleasant 26ºC.
