Tuesday, 14 June 2016

Spitzkoppe, Namibia


February 14th



Located in former German South West Africa, its name meaning “sharp head” and is North-east of Swakopmund and close to Usakos. The imposing granite rock formation is more than 120 million years old and the highest outcrop rises about 1,784 metres above sea level. 



Due to its location, there is otherwise little known about the history of this rock formation. The records show that the first scaling of the rock was in 1946. 


Damaraland was the name given to this area and later became part of Namibia. In 1970 they moved multiple Damara families here, which has a village with both a school and a church. There are some forgotten graves of German settlers visible in the area.


The scenery changed from an orange hued oil painting to a soft watercolour and the sunset spectacular from the top of the rock.

                                                                                 
From above I could see our truck and could also spot the campsite I was going to take for the night and there was plenty of room for everyone. 



The area has been hunted and depleted of its game in the past along with the harshness of the savanna not easily replenishable.  The park is reintroducing several species of buck, Zebra and Leopards which previously roamed the area.


The night sky was clear with a brilliant showing of stars followed.

Many examples of Bushman artwork can be seen painted on the rock a short distance from here.

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