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Damaraland Safari - Compare 95 Tours

4.1/5  –  48 Damaraland Safari Reviews

Damaraland is a really special destination, combining dramatic scenery, eye-catching specialty wildlife and ancient, intriguing rock art in one fabulous place. And yet it sees far fewer visitors than many other regions of Namibia, perhaps because, at first glance, the rugged landscape puts some travelers off. As a result, its well-maintained trails never feel crowded. But Damaraland is surprisingly easy to get to, and also to get around. Best of all, it specializes in the kind of niche safari and holiday experiences that Namibia so wonderfully excels at. All of this means that a visit here will be utterly unlike anywhere else you could experience in southern Africa.

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1-20 of 95 Rankings are based on performance, relevance and payment. Learn more

5 Questions About Damaraland Safaris

1. Should I go on a self-drive or an organized Damaraland safari?
2. How do you prepare for a self-drive safari in Damaraland?
3. Which animals can be seen in Damaraland?
4. What are the main highlights in Damaraland?
5. What is the best time to visit Damaraland?
 
 

5 Questions About Damaraland Safaris

Answered by Anthony Ham

Should I go on a self-drive or an organized Damaraland safari?

“Whether to go on a self-drive or an organized safari to Damaraland is one of the most important decisions you can make when planning your trip. My preference is for a self-drive safari (that is, an unguided safari where you drive yourself), but there are advantages to both and plenty of tours and packages to choose from. A self-drive safari is all about the freedom. You’re the boss when you self-drive. You decide where to go and when. And while your safari or tour operator will probably give you an itinerary to follow, everything else is up to you. Some first-time travelers may feel a little daunted by not having a guide to show them around and take charge if things go wrong. But driving in Namibia is easy and you’ll soon love the independence that comes with being your own boss. On organized safaris, you’ll learn so much from your guide, whether it’s about the wildlife they will help you find or the rock art they’ll take you to see. With most operators, you’ll be treated very well and everything will be done for you; all you’ll have to do is sit back and enjoy. If you’re on an organized group (rather than a private) safari, you’ll also share the road with like-minded travelers, and you may end up making friends for life. The same could apply to your guide, whether you’re on a group or a private safari.”

1

How do you prepare for a self-drive safari in Damaraland?

“If you’ve decided to go on a self-drive safari in Damaraland, careful planning is very important. You won’t have a guide, so make sure you do as much background research as you can about the wildlife, the rock art, local culture and local landscapes. It will really enhance your experience if you do. From a driving perspective, make sure that you get a full briefing about any vehicle you rent. It’s worth taking the time on day 1 of your safari to discuss with the car rental company everything your vehicle can and can’t do and how it all works – everything from fuel ranges and engaging the 4WD to what equipment you’re carrying. If you do this, you’ll feel much more confident about setting out into the wilds of Damaraland. Taking a 4WD vehicle driving class or two can also be a good idea. Carrying a GPS unit is another good idea (Tracks4Africa is excellent) and the same is true for a satellite phone. Chances are that you won’t need the latter, but having one will greatly increase your peace of mind for going beyond where cell (mobile) phones work.”

2

Which animals can be seen in Damaraland?

“Damaraland may look like a semi-desert, but the region is home to a surprising amount of wildlife. If you’re really lucky, the wildlife you see out here could end up being a highlight of your whole holiday. Most of the animals you can see in Damaraland occur at quite low densities, which means that every sighting feels exciting and carries a real sense of discovery. Three species stand out above all others, because each of these seems so unlikely in such a barren place. Desert-adapted elephant, rhino and lion are all possible in Damaraland. Elephant is probably the most widespread and the easiest to see of the three, but rhino tracking is also possible in places. Among other local specialties are Damara dik-dik (one of the smallest of all antelope species) and black-faced impala. Further species you could see while you’re traveling around Damaraland include spotted hyena, cheetah, zebra and giraffe.”

3

What are the main highlights in Damaraland?

“There are many highlights to look forward to on a Damaraland safari, starting with the landscapes. Spitzkoppe is an extraordinary sight and a fabulous introduction to the weirdly wonderful rock formations that are such a feature of the region. Messum Crater is another otherworldly spot. The ravines of Brandberg Mountain, along with Burnt Mountain, Petrified Forest and the organ-pipe rock formations of Unesco World Heritage–listed Twyfelfontein, provide a glorious backdrop to some of southern Africa’s most extensive and significant collections of ancient rock art. Elsewhere, Palmwag and Kamanjab have terrific places to stay and, out here, the sudden appearance of unique Damaraland wildlife always feels possible. Most tours and packages that include Damaraland will cover some or all of these destinations. If you find an operator who is willing to custom-design your trip, that’s even better.”

4

What is the best time to visit Damaraland?

“May to October is the best time to increase your chances of seeing wildlife. These are the Dry season months, and this is when Damaraland’s animals are drawn to water, making them easier to find and to see. These months mostly overlap with the best weather conditions, which are usually from May to August. This is when daytime temperatures are relatively mild and you can expect clear skies and cooler nights. Remember, however, that high-season rates apply from July to November and this is also when Damaraland is at its busiest. The Wet season runs from November to April. Although rain is generally unlikely to disrupt things too much, conditions can be warm and humid. On the plus side, wildflowers are often on display across the region after rains. November to April are also the best months for birding, as this is when migratory species (birds that migrate seasonally every year) are present in this corner of southern Africa before returning to Europe and North Africa.”

5

Damaraland Safari Reviews

4.1/5 48 Reviews
Expert
Anthony Ham  –  
Australia AU

Anthony is a photographer and writer for travel magazines and Lonely Planet, including the guides to Kenya and Botswana & Namibia.

Damaraland: Wild Beauty
4/5

Few places in Africa have surprised me in recent years quite like Damaraland, and I keep on returning whenever I can. For a start, there’s the wildlife. Desert-adapted elephants, rhinos that you can track on foot, an unusual population of...

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Expert
Mary Fitzpatrick  –  
United States US

Mary is an acclaimed travel writer and author of many Lonely Planet guidebooks, including South Africa, Tanzania, East Africa and Africa.

Amazing Rock Formations and Desert-adapted Elephants
4/5

Among the first things that come to mind when I think of Damaraland are its rock formations: deep-red and ochre massifs, streaked with black, rising steeply up from the parched ground and rimmed by the twisted leaves of ancient welwitschia...

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Karen  –  
Australia AU
Reviewed: May 22, 2024
5/5

Scenery amazing esp at Sunrise & Sunset. Not a lot of animals as desert conditions do not provide a lot of food. Animals & plants adapted to the arid landscape. Such an ancient land and interesting rock formations esp visible from the air

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Sergey Saveliev  –  
Russia RU
Reviewed: Nov 13, 2018
5/5

First time in our lives we met and spoke with authentic local tribes (herero people, damara people and the himba). We had an opportunity to buy something very african from them, some items made with their own hands and by doing so support...

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gsskimsing  –  
Australia AU
Reviewed: Nov 27, 2011
4/5

Damaraland is interesting for its strange landscape, with conical hills scattered over the countryside. I'm told that Namibia is the part of Africa that was once connected to South America before the continent split off, so this geological...

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All 48 Damaraland Safari Reviews