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This is a list of places to visit in northern Namibia, there are separate pages for the other regions of Namibia.. If you need accommodation visit our Namibian lodges & accommodation section and for safaris that visit these places visit our tour & safaris in Namibia section. For any questions regarding Namibia please do not hesitate to email us
Places listed on this page are as follows:
Brandberg
Namibia's tallest mountain at 2573 metres towers over Damaraland. It is famous for its spectacular natural beauty, as well as for the numerous rock engravings and paintings left by prehistoric folk, including the famous White Lady (which may or may not actually be female).
Caprivi Strip
The Caprivi region has a unique history. Until the end of the 19th Century it was known as Itenge and it was under the rule of the Lozi Kings. In the late 1800's the strip of land was administered as part of the British protectorate of Bechuanaland (Botswana). Then in 1890 Germany laid claim to the British administered island of Zanzibar to which Britain objected. The dispute was settled by the Berlin Conference in 1890
Damaraland
Damaraland roughly occupies the area from Swakopmund up to Sesfontein, and from the coast inland to Omaruru and Outjo. It is one of Namibia's most scenic areas, and you'll see plenty of wildlife as well. Mountains galore: the Brandberg, the Messum crater (opinion is divided as to whether it's volcanic or a meteorite impact crater) and the Spitzkoppe. Also of interest in Damaraland is Twyfelfontein which is home to thousands of San (Bushman) rock engravings, the petrified forest and organ pipes.
Epupa Falls
Epupa means 'falling water' in the Herero and Himba languages. Epupa is Namibia's largest system of waterfalls and cataracts, and it lies on the Kunene River in northern Kaokoland. It is sometimes accessible with a 2WD vehicle, but the road condition is so bad that a 4x4 vehicle is a much safer bet (and in fact rental agents will often refuse to rent you a 2WD car if you're planning to go to Epupa).
The journey will reward you with the splendour of the falls themselves, as well as some gorgeous scenery on the way there. There's some excellent hiking to be done in the Kunene valley nearby, and the campsites are also well-appointed (considering the place's remoteness).
Etosha National Park
Etosha National Park is the gem in Namibia's crown. It should be an offence to come to Namibia and not see Etosha Park. Etosha is over 22,000 square kilometres in area, and protects over 100 mammal species, over 300 bird species, some 16 species of reptiles and amphibians, one fish species and zillions of bugs (some of which you are not obliged to like). Its centre is dominated by the vast Etosha Pan, an enormous dried up lake which is now a vaguely greenish-white salt pan which from a distance looks like the sea.
Fischers Pan Nature Reserve
Fischer's Pan Private Game Reserve was until recently only game-fenced on the western side as this is the common border with the National Park which allowed the game to move freely. However in recent years the neighbouring farms have erected game fences leaving only the eastern border open for movement
Huab Private Nature Reserve
Desert dwelling elephants continue to roam the spectacular area of the Namib and Damaraland and the bordering commercial farms in the remote north west of Namibia, as they have done for centuries. Today, the elephant's range is constantly being decreased by encroaching human settlement - from western communal Damaraland as well as the commercial ranches on the east. The land is arid and harsh - not ideal for farming at the best of times (..more)
Kaokoland
Kaokoland is one of the last remaining wilderness areas in Southern Africa. It is a world of incredible mountain scenery, a refuge for the rare desert dwelling elephant, black rhino and giraffe and the home of the Himba tribes people. Although it is harsh and offers little respite at midday, the rugged landscape is especially attractive during the early morning and late afternoon when it is transformed into softly glowing pastel shades. The topography in the south of the area is characterised by rugged mountains which are dissected by numerous watercourses, but north of the Hoarusib River the scenery is dominated by table-top koppies. Still further north, the Otjihipa Mountains rise abruptly above the Namib floor to form the eastern boundary of the Marienfluss, while the west of the valley is defined by the Hartmann Mountains. The Marienfluss valley is very scenic and relatively greener than the Hartmann's valley. Hartmann's valley is closer to the Atlantic and yet much more arid. However, it does have a strange atmosphere when the sea mists drift inland.
Katima Mulilo
Katima Mulilo, the capital of the Caprivi, is one of Namibia's most remote towns. As towns go there's not much there, but Katima is a good springboard to explore the diverse and beautiful area. The massive Zambezi flows silently past, and Zambia is just across the river.
Kavango
The Kavango Region is dominated by the Kavango River and its broad flood plains, which makes the area considerably greener than the rest of Namibia. The river forms a natural border between Namibia and Angola for more than 400km and is the lifeline to the Kavango people. The people make a living from fishing, tending cattle and cultivating sorghum, millet and maize. The Kavango people originate from the large lakes of East Africa moving to Kavango between 1750 and 1800. Today the Kavango Region consists of five tribes each led by a traditional chief and assisted by a traditional headman.
Mahango
The Mahango Park is a smallish park is situated south of Divundu / Bagani near the western end of the Caprivi Strip, and can be thought of as a gateway to the Okavango Delta, which lies to the south.
Mamili
Situated towards the east of the Caprivi Strip, this is another one of Namibia's 4x4-only parks. This one is dominated by flood plains and marshy ground however, and offers a chance to see wildlife not seen anywhere else in Namibia, including water buffalo and hippopotamus. It has been called a mini-Okavango delta.
Otjikoto Lake
Otjikoto Lake is the largest permanent natural lake in Namibia
Poppa Falls & Poppa Game Park
A small game park with limited game viewing opportunities. How the Poppa Falls got their name is a mystery as they are really only a series of rapids. The rest camp at Poppa is a gateway to the Okavango Delta and the Caprivi Strip, game fishing is plentiful in the area.
Twyfelfontein/Burnt Mountain/Organ Pipes
Again, the major attraction of Twyfelfontein ("doubtful spring") in Damaraland is the profusion of prehistoric rock engravings -- over 2500 of the -- dating back at least 6000 years. The nearby Burnt Mountain is a eerie charred mound of volcanic debris and the bizarre volcanic rock formation known as the Organ Pipes bears this name for reasons apparent as soon as you see them.
Uis
Uis is a small mining town in Northern Namibia