Damaraland & Kunene

The Damaraland and Kunene region of Namibia occupies the northwestern coastline along the Atlantic Ocean to the west, the Angolan border to the north,Swakopmund to the south and the Cunene Province to the east. It is very dry with an inaccessible mountainous landscape, and thus largely undeveloped. Despite its harsh conditions, it is home to the indigenous Himba and Damara people. The Damara occupy a small region within Kunene called Damaraland, whose self-contained government was abolished in 1989 when Namibia was transitioning to independence.

The region represents one of the last true wilderness areas Africa, with a truly pristine desert ecosystem. Expanses of sun-scorched desert flats and dunes end promptly with the frigid waters of the Atlantic, where many historical shipwrecks occurred. A remarkably unique assemblage of life has evolved to siphon water from the frequent fogs that drift over the coast from the Atlantic. These fascinating creatures reside amid the Kunene's rocky outcroppings, grasslands, and dry riverbeds that create corridors of wildlife. While exploring these areas, visitors might see a rare black rhino (one of the last of the dwindling free-range population) or a herd of the uncommon desert-adapted elephants, who act as keystone species in the ecosystem by digging deep waterholes during droughts, thus allowing other animals to survive.

There are only a few camps sprinkled throughout this desert region, but those that are available offer an unexpected experience that is unique from other areas that visitors may travel to. Chartered flights bring the adventurous into the heart of the Damaraland and Kunene region, where they can explore with guides who love to share their knowledge of the intriguing area. Travelers with more time can explore this beautiful region on self-drive trips as well.