Uis: Brandberg and prehistoric rock art

Uis offers a glimpse of an impressive landscape and the long history of rock art in the surrounding area. Brandberg is a particularly striking example of both: this prominent mountain rises above the plains of the central Namib, and prehistoric evidence can be found on its slopes and in the surrounding area. If you would like to bring nature and culture together during your stay, this combination offers a concrete starting point for planning your trip.

Brandberg: Landscape and Rock Art

Brandberg is Namibia’s highest mountain and a large, almost circular inselberg. It rises more than 1,800 metres above the surrounding plains, and its highest peak reaches 2,573 metres. Its contrast with the otherwise flat gravel plains of the central Namib Desert makes its shape particularly striking. Rock engravings and rock paintings are closely associated with Brandberg. More than 120 archaeological sites have been recorded there, and more than 43,000 prehistoric rock paintings are known. For travellers interested in landscapes and early human traces, two different perspectives on the same place come together here.

Guided hikes to Brandberg with local tour guides and explanations of the local environment and rock art are an option. Longer treks and overnight camps are available on request; check the current arrangements before your trip. When planning, you can distinguish between a guided hike and a longer tour, without assuming that both require the same amount of time.

Visitor Information Around Uis

The Uis Information Centre is a tourism project for visitors to the area around Uis in the Erongo Region in north-western Namibia. The Centre provided information about the area, especially Brandberg, the Daureb Mountain Guides and guided hikes to San paintings, including the famous White Lady. These topics connect regional orientation with the experiences that interest many travellers at Brandberg: the landscape, its rock art and guided insights into the local environment.

More Experiences in the Erongo Region

In the wider travel destination of Erongo, the diversity of the landscape extends beyond Brandberg. Natural landmarks in the north-west of the region also include the distinctive Spitzkoppe Mountains and the very old Messum Crater. Spitzkoppe is often called the “Matterhorn of Namibia” and is almost 700 million years old. Its highest point reaches 1,784 metres above sea level and lies around 700 metres above the surrounding plain. Its distinctive shape and elevation figures provide a different point of reference from the description of Brandberg: each mountain offers its own points of interest if you are interested in the landscape of the Erongo Region.

Another natural attraction in the region is the Cape Cross Seal Reserve. The protected area is home to the world’s largest breeding colony of Cape fur seals. During the breeding season in November and December, estimates suggest that up to 210,000 animals gather there; the number can vary from year to year. As a seasonal highlight, a visit here can be considered separately from the enduring landscape and cultural attractions around Uis.

Culture is also part of the experience in the wider Erongo Region. The Ju/'Hoansi-San Living Museum at Omandumba has been open to visitors since 2008. The Ju/'Hoansi-San are also known as Bushmen. Visits include demonstrations of traditional dances and rituals, as well as games. Alongside natural landmarks and rock art, this offers another way to explore regional culture.

Choosing Uis as a Holiday Destination

If Brandberg is your main focus, Uis may be a natural choice when looking for a place to stay: the mountain is nearby, and local tour guides offer guided hikes there. If, on the other hand, you plan to focus more on other destinations in the Erongo Region, take this wider regional selection into account. This way, you can first decide which landscapes and experiences interest you, then look for a holiday apartment that suits your chosen destination.

Discover more destinations: Uigaran, Henties Bay, Rossing, Cape Cross, Omaruru, Langstrand, Walvis Bay, Karibib.

Back to the main travel overview: Erongo.