Damaraland – the land of desert elephants and ancient rock engravings
Damaraland is a land of rugged beauty and ancient whispers, home to desert-dwelling elephants and millennia-old rock engravings. Here, nature and history walk hand in hand, leaving traces on your heart.
There are places unlike any other. Damaraland is one such place. A land of stark beauty, ancient whispers, and life that has survived against all odds. Here, among red hills, stone platforms, and endless valleys, nature and history go hand in hand, leaving traces not only on the rocks but also in your heart.
This is the home of the desert elephants – majestic beings that have learned to survive in some of the planet's most unforgiving conditions. And the home of the millennial rock engravings of Twyfelfontein – testaments to human presence in this land long before us.
Desert Elephants of Damaraland
The desert elephants of Namibia are not a separate species, but they have adapted their lifestyle to survive in drought and extreme conditions. They are leaner, with longer legs and smaller tusks than their relatives in the greener parts of Africa. They can travel hundreds of kilometres in search of water and food, remembering the secret paths of the desert that lead to life.
Encountering a desert elephant amidst the red dust of Damaraland feels like discovering a secret whispered through the ages. They move slowly, almost regally, leaving behind wide tracks that the wind hurries to erase.
Interesting Facts:
Adaptations: They can survive for several days without water and traverse vast distances searching for nourishing plants.
Size: Despite harsh conditions, adults reach 2.5–3.5 metres at shoulder height and weigh up to 5 tonnes.
Where to see them: Most commonly around the Huab River, Aba Huab River, and Hoanib River Valley.
Rock Engravings of Twyfelfontein
Amidst the dusty valleys of Damaraland lies one of Africa's largest and oldest treasures – the rock engravings of Twyfelfontein. Created by ancient hunter-gatherers over 6,000 years ago, these images narrate stories of animals, humans, and rituals encoded in stone.
Among them, you will find figures of lions with human paws, tracks of ostriches, giraffes with elongated necks, and mysterious symbols whose meanings remain enigmatic.
What You Need to Know:
UNESCO Site: Twyfelfontein was declared a World Heritage Site in 2007.
Guided Tours: A protected site – visiting is only allowed with a licensed guide who will unveil the stories and symbolism behind the engravings.
Best Times to Visit: Early morning or late afternoon when the sun casts soft shadows on the stones.
What to Expect from Damaraland?
Damaraland is a place of contrasts. Dryness and life. Emptiness and mystery. Here you will encounter another side of Africa – not green and lush, but dusty, rocky, and still thrumming with life.
The landscapes resemble paintings from another planet: rocky plateaus, solitary acacias, peaks like old men, frozen in silence. The wind carries the dust of millennia, and in the silence, you will hear the footsteps of ancient times.
Practical Advice for the Traveller
How to Get There: Via a 4x4 vehicle from Swakopmund or Windhoek – roads are dusty and sometimes difficult to traverse.
What to Bring: Sunscreen, a hat, water, comfortable shoes for walking on stones, and readiness for strong wind and changeable weather.
Best Time to Visit: Between May and October, when the days are dry and clear.
Damaraland is not a place for hurried transitions. This is land that demands you slow down. Breathe in the dust, feel the desert wind on your skin, and let the ancient times whisper their stories directly to your heart.
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Author: Martin Bonov
Photo: Dimitar Karanikolov
