Twyfelfontein

Twyfelfontein lies in the Huab valley on the banks of the Aba-Huab, in the south of the Kunene Region, which many still call Damaraland. It is not a town. There are lodges, camps and the visitor centre for the rock engravings, and nothing else. The nearest town is Khorixas, almost 100 kilometres of gravel to the east.

of gravel to Khorixas

100 km

to Etosha's Andersson Gate

330 km

to Windhoek via Khorixas and Outjo

551 km

of rain a year

under 150 mm

From the C39 you drive about 20 kilometres south into the valley. From Swakopmund the route runs via Henties Bay and Uis, about 340 kilometres. From Etosha it is 330 kilometres from Andersson Gate via Outjo and Khorixas, on tar from Khorixas. From Windhoek you drive just over 550 kilometres via Otjiwarongo, Outjo and Khorixas, about 100 of them on gravel, so a little over seven hours. A route planner suggests the shorter way via Omaruru and Uis, about 430 kilometres, but on long stretches of district road.

Twyfelfontein Country Lodge is closest to the engravings and even has its own airstrip. The lodge owners run the lodge, campsite and visitor centre together with the Twyfelfontein-Uibasen Conservancy, the local community conservancy. Mowani Mountain Camp and Camp Kipwe sit among granite boulders. For something simpler, try Twyfelfontein Adventure Camp, which also has campsites, or Madisa Camp.

How far you are from the engravings depends on where you stay. One safari portal puts most lodges 20 to 45 kilometres from the visitor centre, while operators give about 4 kilometres for the Country Lodge. Everything in between is gravel.

Fuel between Khorixas and the valley

Khorixas has an Engen station on the main road, listed in planning documents from December 2024. There is also a pump at the lodge. Travellers called it reliable in 2022, and a review from June 2025 still mentions it. Bring cash: visitors report that the pump does not take cards, and it closes over lunch.

From Khorixas the road to Outjo is tarred. The C35 to Kamanjab, on the other hand, is 105 kilometres of gravel; tarring was due to start in May 2025 and finish in December 2027. In the rainy season from November to March operators recommend a 4x4. In the dry season an ordinary car will get you into the valley.

What else is worth seeing around Twyfelfontein

The engravings are why everyone comes. But the area easily fills a second day: Burnt Mountain, the Organ Pipes, the Doros Crater and the Petrified Forest are all in the same part of Damaraland. Many lodges also take guests out to look for desert elephants. June to August are the best months for that, when the animals stay close to water.

It is dry. Less than 150 millimetres of rain falls here in a year, and in July daytime temperatures range from 10 to 28 °C, in November from 21 to 35 °C. If you come in early summer, visit the rocks in the morning.

Time needed

two nights: one for the engravings in the morning, one for the surroundings

From Windhoek

551 km, 440 minutes

Our tipFill up in Khorixas before you head into the valley, and carry cash. The pump at the Country Lodge is handy, but only open during the day.

Places to stay in Twyfelfontein

AdvertisementThe links lead to trivago. If you book through them we receive a commission; it does not influence the selection. Prices are examples for the night shown.

9.2/10

Place to stayDamaraland and Kaokoveld

Twyfelfontein Adventure Camp

D 3254 90km west of

• Pool
• Parking
• Wi-Fi

from €212per night on 22 February 2027

Check prices on trivago

8.8/10

Place to stayDamaraland and Kaokoveld

Madisa Camp

D2612 Damaraland

• Pool
• Parking
• Pets allowed
• Wi-Fi

from €152per night on 23 November 2026

Check prices on trivago

8.2/10

LodgeDamaraland and Kaokoveld★★★

Twyfelfontein Country Lodge

D3214

• Pool
• Breakfast
• Restaurant
• Parking

from €326per night on 10 December 2026

Check prices on trivago