Best Places To Stay On Safari In Damaraland
An hour North from Swakopmund and South of Etosha lays an area of stunning beauty called Damaraland. Although the environment is one of the harshest on Earth, it is home to a vast array of ancient historical sites and is inhabited by an extraordinary amount of wildlife including desert lions, rhinos and elephants. The easy access of Damaraland draws a lot of self-drivers, especially in the South. The subtle differences between the Northern and Southern sectors should come into consideration when choosing your accommodation for your holiday.
The approach to tourism in the North of Damaraland focuses and heavily involves the local communities in the area. This provides a more cultural and far more worthwhile experience. You can undertake guided excursions to visit the numerous rock painting sites which are estimated to date back nearly six thousand years. Another must-do on any itinerary is to visit and engage with local communities where you can learn about the unique heritage of Namibia. Although the majority of tourists tend to be drawn to the South, it is the Northern sectors where the desert rhino and desert elephants are seen more frequently.
The Desert Rhino Camp offers the unique experience of tracking and following the elusive, rare and often aggressive black rhino without the safety of a vehicle. Accompanied by expert guides, you will literally be walking in the footsteps of giants as you follow them through the desert. Other camps, such as Damaraland Camp offer guided nature drives where desert elephants (the biggest elephants in Africa) are among the frequent sights. It is truly fascinating to observe and learn about how such enormous animals have adapted so well in such a harsh environment.
There are loads of safari camps and lodges in Damaraland to choose from, but below we have listed a handful of our favourites: