Damaraland may be one of the most arid and unforgiving areas of Namibia, but it is also one of the most scenic, and if your idea of the perfect African Adventure Holiday includes incredible wildlife sightings and unique cultural experiences, this ruggedly beautiful region belongs on your travel itinerary.

Home of the Damara people, the Himba Tribes, the ancient rock engravings of Twyfelfontein, petrified forests, spectacular desert vistas, and more desert-adapted wildlife than you could ever imagine, Damaraland has much to offer international travellers, yet surprisingly, it remains one of Namibia’s least visited areas.

During our Namibia self-drive holiday, we visited two Wilderness properties in Damaraland, the Damaraland Camp and the Desert Rhino Camp. While very close together (anything less than 5-hours drive is considered ‘close’ in Namibia!), these beautiful properties offer completely different accommodations, landscapes, and experiences such as local farm visits, sunrise breakfasts overlooking the mountain range, ‘Sundowners’ on the open plains, and Black Rhino tracking.

With less than 100mm rainfall each year (sometimes none at all), and just a few thousand inhabitants, Damaraland is just about as remote and secluded as one can get on a self-drive holiday, but once you have experienced the beautiful landscapes, the friendly people, the magnificent wildlife, and the midnight sky with its complete constellation of stars, you will agree that Damaraland is one of Namibia’s best-kept secrets…