In northern Damaraland, north of the Huab River the government has set aside land specifically for tourism as a measure to limit development and keep the area in its natural state. These open lands in northern damaraland are commonly known as concession areas and are sparsely developed with only few locals and their livestock roaming the lands. The area is diverse, from rolling mountains to bush covered hills and the flat savannas, each home to a variety of Namibia’s vegetation, including mopane forests.

In northern Damarland it is common to catch sight of herds of Hartmann’s mountain zebra, oryx, springbok, and giraffe marauding through the hills. Steenbok, kudu, baboon, and black rhino are also known to inhabit the area, but are less likely to be seen. And with such game comes predators, including leopards, cheetahs, and lions. In the far reaches of northern Damaraland, on the edge of Kaokoland, black-faced impala, the Damara dik-dik, and the desert elephant can be seen. Our friends who dominate the sky are also abundant in the area, as well as ten endemic bird species including the Ruppells korhaan and the Monteiro hornbill.

What to expect in Northern Damaraland

Most travelers are only passing through the area of northern Damaraland, few seek places to stay. No matter what the case, the area is hypnotic. However, the driving can be slow, difficult, and cumbersome. Before heading out on this strenuous journey be sure to replenish all of you much needed supplies, including water! As there is little access to amenities in northern Damaraland.

Save the Rhino Trust in Northern Damaraland

In the remote northwestern corner of Namibia, the black rhino population is the only one in the world to have survived on communal land with no formal conservation status. It is the largest free-range population in existence today and is entirely due to the work and agreement of the peoples in northern Damaraland.

In the 1980s the numbers were falling drastically as a result of hunting and poaching of the animals, and the black rhino population fell to near extinct levels. This brought the attention of a few select scientists who founded the Save the Rhino Trust in 1982. In the beginning, the Trust employed former poachers who lived in northern Damarland, utilizing their extensive knowledge of the animal to begin the conservation movement.

Over the years the Trust’s aim to stop the extermination of black rhinos has gained support by local Chiefs, headmen, and the farming communities in northern Damaraland. With the support from the government and help from international partners, the Trust has found success in monitoring the rhino, simultaneously bringing benefits to the community through conservation and tourism. Since its founding, the black rhino population in these northwestern concession areas has tripled.

Palmwag

The Desert Rhino Camp, operating in conjunction with the Save the Rhino Trust, is a mobile camp located in the Palmwag Concession area in northern Damaraland. Continue through Kamanjab on the C40 and head to Palmwag. Street signs will lead the way. With approximately 5,000 km², the camp offers guests tremendous insight into the ecology and conservation of the area. Not only is the concession area home to the largest free roaming population of black rhino in Africa, it is also home to a large number of desert adapted elephant.

With tracking on foot and from the comfort of a vehicle, it is not a question of whether you will see a black rhino, but when. Once a rhino has been spotted, the guide leads visitors on foot to the beast. A maximum of 12 guests assures secluded, private safaris.

Warmquelle

South of Sesfontein, the small dusty town of Warmquelle was originally settled in the early 19th century, around a natural spring that was quickly incorporated into the settlement’s irrigation (which has declined over time). Today the town is a small Damara settlement with two NACOBTA camps; Khowarib Camp, about 32 km south of Sesfontein, where traditional mud huts are erected and there is also space to pitch your own tent. The Ongongo Campsite, difficult to access in a 2WD vehicle, is near the Ongongo waterfall and is a great place to swim.

Sesfontein

Named after the six fountains found in the area, Sesfontein is nestled in the Hoanib Valley, on the northern edge of Damaraland. The town is really nothing but a dusty settlement difficult to access. In 2WD vehicles, the drive is slow and difficult, squeezing through narrow gorges, across dry riverbeds, and over small boulders. Nevertheless, the small town is authentic, having little European influence and zero apartheid homeland locations.

The area became a German military outpost built to control the free range livestock after the outbreak of rinderpest disease in 1896. By the First World War, the fort was abandoned and it wasn’t until recently that it was remodeled into the Fort Sesfontein Lodge that it is today. Sesfontein is the last stop to replenish supplies before continuing north to Opuwo.

Kamanjab

The small town of Kamanjab seems to appear out of nowhere and just in the nick of time. Nestled in a low depression around the town’s surrounding hills, Kamanjab offers the basic necessities like fuel (the last stop to replenish if traveling north), a descent supermarket, and small takeaways. The town, however, offers nothing of great interest. The C35 road has recently been tarred all the way until the junction with the C41 onwards to Opuwo, which makes travel easier and much quicker than ever before. It is important to keep in mind that whether traveling north or south, from or to Opuwo or Ruacana, you will be crossing the red-line and land north of this veterinary control checkpoint is communal with open range livestock wondering the roadsides, foraging for food. Stay alert to the animals and drive with care.