Damraland

This huge wilderness is one of Africa’s last remaining unofficial wildlife areas. The area is thinly populated and animals still roam around freely. The main attraction is the stunning desert environment. Wildlife is sparse and desert elephants and black rhinos are what most people come to see. The region also harbors several important rock art sites.

Pros & Cons

Great wilderness experience
Stunning desert scenery
A chance to see rare desert elephants and black rhinos
A lot of accommodation options catering to different budgets
Low densities and variety of wildlife
Very remote destination
Very hot climate

Damaraland is not a classic wildlife destination; wildlife is sparse and the main attraction is the arid desert environment. Desert elephant and black rhino are the animals most people come to see, but other wildlife includes gemsbok, greater kudu, eland and springbok. Giraffe and Hartmann’s mountain zebra are nomadic visitors to the area

Wildlife Highlights

The Save the Rhino Trust, in cooperation with Desert Rhino Camp, has set up a program for black rhino tracking to protect the only truly free-roaming (outside national parks and reserves) black rhino left in the world. Rare desert elephant are the other prime species, while a pride of desert-adapted lions is quite a prize if you see them. The endemic black-faced impala and Damara dik-dik can also be found in the area.

Best Time for Wildlife Viewing

Damaraland can be visited any time of the year, although the Dry season (May to October) is the most productive for wildlife watching. At this time animals tend to seek out limited water sources and can be more easily seen. During the Wet season (November to April), animals tend to scatter and become harder to locate.

Wildlife Viewing

Caution is always advised with wild animals, as their behavior is often unpredictable. There is little need for concern if you follow all the rules of the park or wildlife area. If you are on an organized tour, you should always listen carefully to the advice of your guide; additionally, read the information, on the TAB, regarding ‘Wildlife Viewing Safety Precautions’.

Further advice on limiting dangers and annoyances when traveling:

• Wildlife Viewing Safety Precautions

• General Travel Safety Precautions

• Cities & Urban Areas: Safety Precautions

• Safety & Security – Namibia

• Malaria & Vaccinations – Namibia

Damaraland has more than 200 bird species recorded, including several arid-country specials. The area is rich in near-endemics, which are sought after because of their restricted range. These include violet wood-hoopoe, Hartlaub’s francolin, Rüppel’s parrot, Monteiro’s hornbill, Carp’s tit, bare-cheeked babbler, rockrunner and white-tailed shrike. Raptors are also well represented and the majestic Verreaux’s eagle can sometimes be seen soaring above the rocky cliffs. Migratory birds are present from November to April

Birding Specials–Treats for Avid Birders

(E) endemic = only lives in Namibia
(NE) near-endemic = also lives in neighboring countries

Best Time for Bird Watching

Damaraland is a great birding destination year-round. A lot of the specials are resident and present throughout the year. Bird watching is at its best in the hot summer months from November to April when migrants are present.

Water is hard to come by during the drought of the winter months (May to September) and animals stay around the few waterholes still available. This makes for the best wildlife viewing in Damaraland, although it can be visited at any time of the year.

Best Time May to September (Animals congregate around water)

High Season July to November (Some places can get quite busy)

Low Season December to June (Low-season rates may apply)

Best Weather May to August (Less hot during the day)

Worst Weather October to January (Very hot)

May to October –Dry Season – Winter

Best time for wildlife viewing
May to August is cooler
High season rates may apply from July to September
Some of the popular sites can get busy
The air can be filled with dust

Wildlife Photos

November to April –Wet Season – Summer

Rain quenches the drought, although it rarely rains for long
Flowers are plentiful and skies are clear
Baby animals are present and wildlife is healthy
Birding is excellent while the migrant species are present
It tends to be very hot
Animals are dispersed and wildlife viewing isn’t as good

Damaraland has a harsh, semi-desert climate. Daytime temperatures can spike to well above 38°C/100°F during summer (November to April), with winter nights falling below freezing (October to April).

The Wet season occurs during summer and sees sporadic rainfall, unlikely to disturb your trip. In winter, conditions are extremely dry.

Dry season–May to October - Winter

As the winter months wear on, conditions become drier and drier. These are the coolest months of the year.

May, June, July & August - This is a time of drought, lots of sunshine and the coolest temperatures of the year. Afternoon temperatures average 25°C/73°F. Mornings average around 10°C/50°F, but they can often fall below freezing. Pack warm clothes for early morning wildlife drives.
September & October - Temperatures are on the rise, averaging a warm 28°C/81°F. Early morning averages at 12°C/54°F. The month of October is characteristically very hot, with temperatures occasionally soaring above 38°C/100°F. The rains usually begin end of October/beginning of November.

Wet season–November to April - Summer

Calling this the Wet season is slightly misleading, as there is still only a scant amount of rain. Yet, afternoon showers do occur, just not on a daily basis. The climate remains sunny and hot. Warmer mornings are typical, with averages of around 16°C/61°F.

November & December - The occasional thundershower occurs in November, signifying the beginning of the rainy season. It is still mainly dry, but these rains bring relief from the long, dry period. Temperatures are the highest of the year, with a typical afternoon 30°C/86°F.
January, February & March - Most rain happens during these three months. Thunderstorms are common in the afternoon, but the sun is often out all day long. Temperatures reach 29°C/82°F, but are known to spike higher.
April - April sees the rains slowing gradually, as the temperature cools to an average of around 28°C/79°F.

Southern Damaraland is easily reached by any car on good roads, but the area becomes more remote and challenging as you travel to northern Damaraland. Most visitors to the northern section fly to one of the lodges via charter flight. The distance from Windhoek is roughly 560km/350mi and from Etosha about 380km/240mi. Driving times are approximately six and four and a half hours.

Hosea Kutako International Airport (WDH) is where most visitors will enter Namibia. The airport is located 40km/25mi east of Windhoek

Airlines & Ticket Prices

Please check Skyscanner, or for multiple-destination flights check Expedia, to see which airlines can take you to Hosea Kutako International Airport (WDH) and what tickets cost.
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Domestic Flights

There are currently no scheduled domestic flights in Namibia. Most chartered flights between parks are taken care of by your tour operator and leave from Eros Airport (ERS) in Windhoek.

Passport, Visa & Other Entry Requirements

Please check our Getting There – Namibia page to learn more about passport, visa and other entry requirements.

Damaraland is in our opinion safe to visit. The area is, however, very remote and visitors need to have a fully equipped 4x4 and are advised to travel in pairs with a second vehicle. Always make sure you fill your petrol tank when you have the chance and take plenty of water.

A visit to your travel doctor is important before embarking on a trip to Namibia. There are vaccinations that you must get before departure. Although Damaraland is an area at low risk for malaria exposure, you will still need advice and it will be dependent on when you travel. You will need to take precautions, especially in the wet months from October to April, such as taking anti-malarials, wearing protective clothing and using mosquito repellent (those containing DEET are most effective).

Nambia is a very safe, politically stable country. In our opinion, visitors have little cause for concern regarding personal safety. This is especially so when traveling on an organized trip and staying at lodges and camps.

Below are tips on staying safe in Namibia.

Staying Safe on Wildlife Viewing Activities

Your safari guide will ensure your safety at all times – listen carefully to instructions and follow the park’s rules at all times. When on a self-drive safari, don’t drive too close to wildlife and only leave your car in designated areas where it is safe to do so. For additional tips:

• Wildlife Viewing Safety Precautions

Staying Safe in Cities and Towns

Namibian cities are relatively safe; most crime issues are minor, such as petty theft and pickpocketing. You will mostly be sheltered from these risks when looked after by your guide on an organized tour. When venturing out in the city unguided, you can easily reduce being at risk by following simple safety precautions: get advice at your hotel before taking a walk in the city; don’t carry any valuables and only take limited money with you; don’t walk after dark, rather take a taxi. For more safety tips that apply to African cities in general:

• Cities & Urban Areas: Safety Precautions

Other Tips on Staying Safe

Please read the pages below regarding malaria and vaccination information for Namibia and general travel safety precautions.

• Namibia: Malaria & Vaccinations

• General Travel Safety Precautions

Malaria & Vaccinations – Namibia

The information on this page is just a general guide and should not be used to replace a consultation with your travel doctor. The government organizations and travel clinics below are trusted resources for complete and up-to-date info about travelers' health in Namibia.

Malaria Risk

Medium risk in northern Namibia, especially Etosha National Park and the Zambezi Region (Caprivi Strip), and low to no risk in the rest of the country. The highest risk of transition is in the rainy season from October to May.

Wildlife viewing is generally very safe in our opinion. A professional guide will ensure your safety on a guided safari. Self-drive safaris are safe as well, as long as you treat animals with respect and follow all park rules. It is extremely rare for incidents to occur. Below are some general safety guidelines and tips.

Always follow your guide’s instructions and guidelines
Always keep your voice down when close to animals
Stay in the car during game drives except at designated areas where you are allowed to get out
Don't stand up in the car, hang out of the window or sit on the roof
Don’t drive too close to animals if you are on a self-drive safari and back off if the animals seem disturbed
Don’t drive between elephants in a herd, especially females and their young
Stay together as a group close to your guide on a walking safari and always walk in single file
Never run or jog in a wildlife area as it entices predators to attack
Never walk between a hippo and water; it may panic and charge because its safety route to the water is blocked
Never leave food in your tent; it will attract wildlife
Cover your arms and legs in the evening and use insect repellent to protect against mosquitoes
Wear a hat, use sunscreen and drink plenty of water
Don't wear bright and colorful clothes or too much perfume – especially on walking safaris
In tsetse-fly areas it is recommended not to wear dark-colored clothing – such as black or dark blue – since it attracts these stinging flies
Bring warm clothes for morning game drives in open vehicles

African safaris are generally safe in our opinion. Especially if your visit is primarily an organized tour. Your tour operator and guide will ensure your safety at all times. Self-drive safaris are generally safe as well, but it is recommended to seek advice about the safety of the areas you intend to visit. Below are some general safety tips:

Buy good travel and health insurance
Check the passport and visa requirements for your destination
Get all the required vaccinations, antimalarial medication and insect repellent (those containing DEET are most effective)
Lock all your travel bags and keep all valuables in your hand luggage
Make duplicates of important travel documents or keep copies online
Bring appropriate clothing to protect against the sun, mosquitoes and to stay warm on open vehicle game drives
Check luggage restrictions on all your flights (including domestic flights)
Don't drive at night
Put your valuables in the safety deposit box of the hotel
Always be polite and respectful to police officers and military personnel. In the rare instance that you might get asked for a bribe (on a self-drive safari only), a light attitude and a joke might well get you off the hook.

Travel in Africa is generally safe in our opinion. Especially if on an organized tour or safari. However, as is the case all over the world, there is an increased risk of crime in large cities and urban areas. Visitors on guided activities are mostly shielded from these risks and their guide will ensure their safety. When unguided, normal safety precautions and common sense should keep you safe. Below are some general tips:

Ask at your hotel if it is safe to walk around the local area; when new in a place it’s always good to seek local advice on safety issues
Don’t wear jewelry when walking in cities and leave all valuables in a safety deposit box at your hotel
Avoid walking alone in a large, unfamiliar city
Don’t walk around at night; take a taxi
Avoid getting engaged with people approaching you in the street
Be careful when drawing money from an ATM; go elsewhere if you suspect people hanging around
Always lock your car doors and close windows when driving in busy towns
Never leave a car unattended with valuables or luggage visible