Mountains, San rock art and game concessions galore
One of the most scenic parts of Namibia, Damaraland encompasses the expanses of rugged wilderness in Namibia‘s northwest between the Skeleton Coast, Kaokoland and Etosha, engulfed by the towering presence of the Brandberg Massif (Namibia’s highest mountain) and the Spitzkoppe mountain.
This region is home to wandering herds of desert-adapted elephants and black rhino, along with just a handful of people. Venture across the plains to marvel at the surreal rock formations decorated with ancient bushman rock art, or explore the enormous fossilised tree trunks that make up the petrified forest.
A stay at one of the luxurious safari lodges here will open up a selection of experiences for you: track endangered rhinos on a game drive with a ‘Save the Rhinos’ tracker, or visit the Palmwag Concession to spot desert-adapted elephants and Hartmann’s mountain zebra bathing in the freshwater springs. The remote location of the camps here will also enable you to see wildlife including lions, cheetahs and giraffes in the captivating surrounds.
Highlights
Visit the ancient Twyfelfontein rock engravings, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
Spot desert elephants between May and October
Track desert-adapted black rhino on foot as part of their ongoing conservation
Take to the skies on a balloon safari
Meet the ancient indigenous tribe of Himba and learn about their traditional lifestyle
Emily Wallington
Travel Designer
Damaraland is such a unique part of Namibia. With its herds of elephants and game drives to spot black rhinos, it's a wildlife lover's dream. I recommend a stay with Wilderness Desert Rhino Camp, as the panoramic views of the dramatic Etendeka Mountains from the tents are truly unparalleled.
Emily Wallington
Travel Designer
Luxury accommodation in Damaraland
Why choose Jacada for your luxury safari experience?
Safari expertise
Our experts bring decades of first-hand expertise. They’ve lived and travelled across Africa and are regularly on the ground reviewing the most exclusive camps and experiences. You’ll also have the support of a personal concierge, based in region.
Unforgettable guides
We handpick the most knowledgeable guides, who bring each destination to life with care and passion. They’re chosen for their ability to provide unrivalled insight into the region’s wildlife and landscapes as well as a genuine, memorable experience.
Positive impact
By travelling with us, you directly support a range of initiatives spanning wildlife conservation to community engagement. Our luxury trips are designed to prioritise experiences that are positive for you and the places you visit.
Trip inspiration
Where to go
Etosha National Park
Known as the 'Place of Mirages', Etosha National Park's incredible landscapes range from vast savannahs to silver salt pans. Keep an eye out for herds of blue wildebeest and desert elephants.
Discover moreKaokoland
This is one of Namibia’s most remote and inaccessible areas. In Kaokoland, you can meet the Himba and learn about their traditional lifestyle on a cultural safari. In the region, you can also spot desert elephants, giraffes and black rhinos.
Discover moreKunene River
Flowing from Angola into Namibia, the Kunene River is the only perennial water source in the entire region. From here, embark on nature drives and boating excursions in search of Nile crocodiles. You can also venture further and explore remote mountains, river valleys and waterfalls.
Discover moreOkonjima Nature Reserve
Enjoy unrivalled game viewing experiences at Okonjima Nature Reserve. It is arguably one of the best places to spot predators in Namibia. Head out on exhilarating game drives and nature trails to track Big Cats that have been rehabilitated by the AfriCat foundation.
Discover moreSossusvlei
With some of the most surreal landscapes on the planet, Sossusvlei is known for its rust-coloured ridges of sand and mosaics of cracked clay soil. It is located in the Namib-Naukluft National Park and is one of the oldest and driest ecosystems on the planet. Visit during the months of October to April to see the desert transform with bright desert flowers blanketing the dunes.
Discover moreSwakopmund and Walvis Bay
These two towns are located between the Namib Desert and Skeleton Coast and are the ideal base to explore the natural wonders of the region. Adventure sports are some of the best things to do in Swakopmund and Walvis Bay. Skydiving, dune boarding, quad biking and scenic balloon flights are some of the many incredible experiences waiting for you.
Discover moreThe NamibRand Reserve
As one of the largest private reserves in Southern Africa, the NamibRand Reserve aims to help protect and conserve the unique ecology and wildlife of the south-west Namib Desert. Its vast vistas make for some incredible sunset views. The NamibRand Reserve also lies in one of the darkest regions on earth, making it one of the best places to go stargazing.
Discover moreThe Skeleton Coast
The Skeleton Coast offers varied landscapes of lengthy beaches, towering sand dunes, secret rivers and mesmerising canyons. Board a flying safari to spot on the skeletal remains of vessels and large concentrations of seal colonies.
Discover moreWindhoek
Namibia’s vibrant capital city, Windhoek is an interesting gateway to the rest of the country. The city is dotted with fascinating buildings that look like they belong in northern Europe. This is due to a legacy of German colonialism. Take a walking city tour to learn more about its dynamic history and rich culture.
Discover moreMeet your Africa team
When to visit
The best time to visit Damaraland and see wildlife is from July to November, as that is the dry season and when animals gather around the waterholes.
Safaris
From July to November
Hot air balloon rides
From July to September
Stargazing
From July to August
Rhino tracking
From July to September
Plan your trip to Damaraland
Whatever you want from your adventure in Damaraland, our team of expert travel designers are ready to help.
The trip was amazing ! Jody did a great job Of organizing everything and went over and above for making my big birthday special! Will recommend Jody and macadamia to everyone planning a trip to Namibia!
Our experience was top notch from start to finish!! The travel, camps, food, excursions, guides, accommodations, and hosts all deserve 5 stars. All of our exceptions of the trip were blown out of the water. We not only loved seeing Namibia, but we learned so much along the way. Our guides at every camp were truly ambassadors for their country…
Jacada provided impeccable customer service for our trip to Namibia for our ten year anniversary. Our amazing trip designer Jacob Maahs was super brilliant in the itinerary he created for us, and he pulled it off at the very last minute (we are bad planners). He was a true pleasure to work with and I would trust him with any…
Jacada is beyond incredible and we look forward to planning future adventures with them. Our experience was flawless from beginning to end. Iain listened to our dream trip ideas and came up with a bucket list itinerary to Namibia, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Botswana. James took over and guided us with his amazing care til departure. Such peace during our travels…
We have traveled extensively with many companies, just came back from Namibia and South Africa Jacada's services, concierge, and personalization of our travel plans was flawless. The specifics and attention to detail was incredible from arrival to the airports assisting through customs and immigration,chartered flights, wilderness lodges, local touring and guides was spectacular. We appreciate the entire team , and…
Plan with peace of mind
When you book a trip in today’s world there’s a lot to think about. But with the right advice and expert planning, you can do it with confidence.
If you book to travel with us but your plans are impacted by circumstances you can’t control, we’ll change your reservation or cancel your booking for a full credit towards future travel.