Outside of any national park, the huge tracts of Damaraland's semi-desert wilderness are spectacular. This is home to the country's famous desert-adapted elephants and black rhino, and also to a few small communities who are benefiting from the visitors who come here. In the south, bare granite domes spring up from gravel plains like sentinels; walk amongst them to find caves and shelters adorned by a wealth of Bushman rock art. Further north, in the rugged mountains of Damaraland, private reserves protect the rare desert-adapted wildlife that thrives there.

Where to stay in southern Damaraland

All of southern Damaraland's lodges are easily visited on a self-drive safari, and they include:

Brandberg Restcamp

Brandberg Restcamp stands in the small Town of Uis, en route between Swakopmund and Etosha National Park. It has quite simple, but affordable rooms, and is surrounded by a number of attractions, including the Brandberg and its various bushman paintings. (Read more about Brandberg Restcamp…)

Brandberg White Lady Lodge

Brandberg White Lady Lodge has 29 en-suite rooms, as well as 23 camping sites, set under shady trees on the northern side of the Brandberg, Namibia's highest mountain. Activities include game drives, birdwatching, and visits to one of the world's most famous bushman rock paintings, the White Lady. (Read more about Brandberg White Lady Lodge…)

Camp Kipwe

Camp Kipwe is set within Damaraland's Twyfelfontein Conservancy, and once opened, it will have eight en-suite bungalows, each complete with a private veranda. It will also organise interesting excursions for its guests, including elephant drives and guided nature walks. (Read more about Camp Kipwe…)

Damaraland Camp

Damaraland Camp, which is partially owned by local communities, is famous as a 'model' camp for ecological sensitivity and development. Its 10 chalets are built on wooden platforms, with lovely en-suite bathrooms and wrap-around verandas. (Read more about Damaraland Camp…)

Doro !Nawas

Doro Nawas stands on a rugged, rocky hill close to Twyfelfontein. The 16 chalets are built from stone, canvas and thatch, and bed on wheels can be rolled out under the stars to sleep. It's not only very good, it's also very good value! (Read more about Doro !Nawas…)

Mowani Mountain Camp

Mowani Mountain Camp has a stylish design and a fantastic location, perched amongst huge granite boulders. There are 12 smart tents, some with spectacular views across the gravel plains below, and activities include walks amongst the 'whaleback' hills that surround the camp. (Read more about Mowani Mountain Camp…)

Twyfelfontein Country Lodge

Twyfelfontein Country Lodge is a large, comfortable place with 56 stone-and-thatch rooms, all with en-suite facilities and air-conditioning. It's a convenient base for a night or two, with a sizeable pool to cool off, and a cosy lounge to relax. (Read more about Twyfelfontein Country Lodge…)

White Lady B&B

Situated in the old mine town of Uis, the White Lady B&B has six en-suite rooms, as well as a camping site with ablution blocks and barbeque facilities. Activities and trip can be arranged, including micro light flights and excursions to the town's old mines. (Read more about White Lady B&B…)

What to see and do in southern Damaraland

The Brandberg rock massif and its famous 'White Lady' rock painting are an essential stop if you're driving yourself. A visit is easily arranged; simply stop your car at the small, community-run visitors' centre, at the base of Brandberg. Local guides are always on hand here to take you up to the rock art.

Little more than an hour's drive away, the green land rises into flat-topped mountains. Thousands of ancient paintings and engravings are hidden on the hillside at Twyfelfontein, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Nearby, fossilised tree trunks litter the ground in a petrified forest, and strange rock formations resemble organ pipes.

Most of these attractions are best visited with your own car. However, one of the most engaging activities here is tracking desert-adapted elephants. To do this, leave your car behind and hop onto a guided 4WD trip, organised from your lodge.

Where to stay in northern Damaraland

If you visit one of the wildlife reserves in Northern Damaraland, then stay for at least two nights, and preferably three. Park your car and relax as local experts guide you across the rugged terrain on foot and in 4WDs. The wildlife is unique, but not prolific, though with excellent guiding, most visitors will at least have good sightings of desert-adapted elephant or black rhino.

Desert Rhino Camp

Desert Rhino Camp is a superb little place, set up with the help of Namibia's Save the Rhino Trust. With only eight tents, Rhino Camp takes a maximum of 16 guests, and activities concentrate on tracking black rhino on foot. It's a great experience – but not for the faint-hearted! (Read more about Desert Rhino Camp…)

Etendeka Mountain Camp

Northern Damaraland's original small camp, Etendeka, is still-owner run and a firm favourite, especially for walkers. It welcomes up to 16 guests in traditional, rustic tents, and activities focus on walks and drives with expert guides to interpret and explain the area's ecosystem. (Read more about Etendeka Mountain Camp…)

Grootberg Lodge

Grootberg Lodge has been built in conjunction with the local #Khoadi // Hoas community, in an impressive location on the edge of Grootberg Plateau. Each of its 12 rock-and-thatch chalets has a private deck with endless views, and its activities and staff have won great accolades from our travellers. (Read more about Grootberg Lodge…)

Hoanib Camp

In the northwestern corner of the Palmwag concession, Hoanib is a great little camp in an extremely remote location, with only four simple en-suite tents. It offers good food and a fantastic wilderness experience with game drives and walks. (Please call our experts for details about Hoanib Lodge…)

Palmwag Lodge

Beside a spring in the Uniab River, Palmwag is the region's oldest lodge. It takes up to 50 guests (plus campers), and is quite a meeting place, with a bar, a big restaurant and two swimming pools. For a closer feel for the wilderness, try a one-night Palmwag sleep out! (Read more about Palmwag Lodge…)

Where to stay in eastern Damaraland

On the eastern side of Damaraland, some lodges are attractions in their own right; others are used more as stopovers en route from Damaraland to Etosha.

Huab Lodge

Far from the main roads, Huab Lodge sits in the hills between Damaraland and the Central Highlands. It's an owner-run, very hospitable lodge, with eight large, comfortable bungalows. Game drives and walking safaris and are included in Huab's rates, and the guiding is excellent! (Read more about Huab Lodge…)

Vingerklip Lodge

Standing in a lovely position near the famous Vingerklip rock pinnacle, Vingerklip Lodge makes a good base for short walking trails and a convenient stopover on the way to or from Etosha. (Read more about Vingerklip Lodge…)

Small group safaris to Damaraland with Wild about Africa

If you're interested in a private and exclusive safari holiday to Damaraland, or if you'd like to join a small group of fellow adventurers on a simple camping adventure or a luxury camping safari, see Wild about Africa's suggestions for Safaris in Damaraland.


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