Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Twyfelfontein is one of the most remarkable collections of rock art in southern Africa. Thousands of engravings, carved into the red sandstone nearly 5,000 to 6,000 years ago, bear witness to the presence of the San hunter-gatherers. Animals, footprints, and symbolic figures illustrate the close relationship between these ancient peoples and their desert environment.
The region is also renowned for its desert-adapted elephants, a population uniquely suited to the arid conditions of Damaraland. More slender in build and capable of traveling long distances in search of water, they embody the resilience of Namibian wildlife in these dramatic mineral landscapes.
Nearby, the Petrified Forest reveals around fifty fossilized tree trunks, some reaching up to 30 meters in length and nearly 6 meters in circumference. Partially buried in sandstone, these mineralized giants date back approximately 260 million years, remnants of an ancient landscape shaped by major geological upheavals.
About 75 km east of Khorixas, Vingerklip stands out with its slender silhouette resembling a finger pointing toward the sky. Rising in the heart of Damaraland, this natural monolith is a spectacular landmark and offers striking panoramic views over the surrounding plains.
Damaraland, in north-central Namibia, is a land of rugged beauty and ancient secrets. Towering granite outcrops, twisting valleys, and vast plains create a dramatic backdrop for a region rich in both wildlife and culture.
Desert-adapted elephants wander the rocky hills, while oryx, springbok, and even rare black rhinos navigate the arid terrain. Damaraland is also home to fascinating cultural heritage, including the rock engravings at Twyfelfontein, a UNESCO World Heritage site that reveals millennia of human presence. With its wild landscapes, unique wildlife, and traces of ancient civilizations, Damaraland offers a journey into Namibia’s raw and untamed heart.
The Great Namibia
Namibia, what else could we ask for? Almost permanent sunshine, great variety of landscapes with wild beauty, national parks rich in fauna and flora. In the West, the Namib desert, the oldest on the planet, the world highest dunes. In the South, the Fish River Canyon, the biggest after the Colorado. In the North, the largest national park in Africa: Etosha. A captivating country with extraordinary natural riches, Namibia deserves its nickname "Jewel of Africa".
When to go?
Subtropical and dry with warm days and cool nights. During the southern summer (from November to March), temperatures vary from 16 to 34°C and in desert areas they can reach 40 to 45°C. In winter (from June to August), they range from 4 to 22℃ and sometimes fall below 0℃ on the relief or in the desert.
The best season to go to Namibia is during the first weeks of November and April. Its not the peak season and the conditions of visit are good. If the high season (May to October) wins the prize of the best climate. Its not necessarily the best because tourists are the most numerous. The rainy season should be avoided if there are plans to explore national parks.
Formalities
The passport must include two blank pages and still be valid for 6 months after the expected date of exit from Namibia. The visa is not compulsory for French nationals. Holders of a French passport are granted tourist visa permits for a maximum of 90 days, which are issued free of charge upon arrival, in particular for immigration checks at Windhoek airport.
For any minor child: a multilingual extract of birth certificate (or an unabridged birth certificate translated into English - certified translation) is required to enter and leave Namibia (in the case of a child traveling with his 2 parents). Please consult the official sites for more information about all the requested documents according to your case.
Health
No vaccination is required for entry into Namibia.
Anti-malarial treatment is recommended (see your doctor). However, it is advisable to check the updating of your usual reminders and vaccinations as for any trip.
Currency
The currency in Namibia is the Namibian dollar (NAD).
Bank cards and traveller’s checks are widely accepted in Namibia, except for the purchase of gasoline especially inside the parks. Major credit cards are accepted in most shops, restaurants and hotels.
Banks and foreign exchange offices make the exchange of your currencies
For your payments, do not hesitate to use the South African rand.
SOUTH AFRICA NAMIBIA BOTSWANA ZIMBABWE ZAMBIA KENYA TANZANIA MOZAMBIQUE MAURITIUS REUNION