The White Lady
A famous rock painting.
Martin Cígler — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Martin Cígler — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Ji-Elle — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Ji-Elle — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Martin Cígler — CC BY-SA 3.0
The Brandberg is Namibia's highest mountain, a lone rocky mass rising above 2,500 m over the gravel plains of the north-western Namib Desert, visible from far away on clear days. It is known for the «White Lady» rock painting in the Tsisab Ravine. Visitors come for the old paintings and to walk through its valleys in a majestic desert landscape. The mountain covers about 650 sq km, and its highest point, the Königstein, reaches 2,573 m. Its core area of 450 sq km was declared a National Monument in 1951. The name means «burning mountain» in Afrikaans, German and Dutch, referring to its glowing colour at sunset. The Damara people call it Dâures. The walk to the White Lady starts from an entrance near the foot of the mountain, in a rocky valley with walls of smooth stone, small pools in some seasons and scattered trees. At the end of the path you see the famous painting under a rock. From the plain the whole mountain turns dark red as the sun sets. It is about 31 km in a straight line from Uis, the nearest settlement. The path is about 2.5 km from the entrance, around an hour, and a guide is required. May to September is the best time. Bring plenty of water, a hat and sturdy shoes, and start early. Climbing to the summit takes experience, days and advance arrangements, so do not attempt it alone.
A famous rock painting.
Smooth rock and pools.
A red glow over the plain.
Erongo Region, north-western Namib Desert, near Uis
About an hour each way with a guide, on a path of about 2.5 km.
It means «burning mountain», referring to its glowing colour at sunset.