Here, ancient river courses, some seasonal, some dry, are life lines for many species. Elephant dig in the dry riverbeds until they find water. Black rhino and giraffe feed on the twigs and leaves of the hardy acacias along the banks. Hornbill squawk like babies from their lofty perch, as a lion slinks into the shade. Away from the riverbeds, large herds of springbok skitter and ‘pronk’ on the rocky terrain. Africa’s westernmost baobab trees grow happily in this hard ground, and crystals and gemstones can still be found scattered about.

A roadtrip in Namibia’s Damaraland offers up diverse wildlife, dramatic scenery (from the iconic granite peaks of the Spitzkoppe to Namibia’s ‘Petrified Forest’ just outside Khorixas), and unique geological and historic attractions, including some of the most prominent collections of ancient rock paintings and engravings in all of Africa.