Visible for miles, the granite outcroppings of Spitzkoppe (German for “pointed dome”) rise from the Namib desert like a strange hallucination.I’m far from the first to remark on their otherworldliness - they are cinematically otherworldly when they appear in the “Dawn of Man” portion of 2001: A Space Odyssey.
Going back thousands of years, Bushmen have used the granite as a canvas for their paintings. Tragically, many of those have been severely damaged or destroyed.
The secret is out - I love a rock arch
Jumping forward a few millennia, Spitzkoppe was given its German name in 1896, when a small trading post and settlement was created there by the German Colonial Society. Over the course of several years in the 1960s and 70s, when Namibia was still part of South Africa, Spitzkoppe and the surrounding land was expropriated with compensation and transferred to the Damara people.
I like to imagine that, despite their differences, these lizards are best friends
Today, Spitzkoppe is a justifiably popular stopover on many overland routes (it’s situated on the route between the major attractions of Etosha National Park inland and the adventure sport paradise of Swakopmund on the coast). Campsites nestled in the nooks between granite boulders make you feel like you have the place all to yourself. There are walks and hikes for all levels of interest and fitness. We were only there for one afternoon, but I tried to make the most of it.
I’d like to thank this guy for posing so photogenically
He really made these photos pop
If you go: As mentioned, Spitzkoppe is an excellent place to stop between Etosha NP and Swakopmund. Rock climbers will be especially enticed, but hikers (and walkers) will find plenty to enjoy. Camping gets you closest to the rocks, with the possibility of spectacular sunrises, sunsets and stargazing. Bring plenty of water (it is the desert - hot and dry is the usual).
