Namibia Travel Guide
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The Kaokoveld
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Southern Damaraland
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Two craters
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Namibia Travel Guide

Two craters



In the remote west of southern Damaraland, these two craters are close to accessible areas, and yet themselves very remote. The only practical way to get in here is with a guide who knows the area – as for safety's sake you need back-up in case of problems.

Messum Crater


Southwest of Brandberg, straddling the boundary of the West Coast Recreational Area, Messum Crater is an amphitheatre of desert where once there was an ancient volcano, over 22km across. Now two concentric circles of mountains ring the gravel plains here.
Messum is named after Captain W Messum, who explored the coast of southwest Africa from the sea, around 1846-8, venturing as far inland as Brandberg – which he modestly named after himself. Only later did it become known as Brandberg.

Doros Crater


Just south of Twyfelfontein, northwest of Brandberg, is the Doros Crater (or Doros Craters, as it is sometimes called). A permit from the NWR, and a full 4WD expedition, is needed to get into this remote concession area in southern Damaraland. The geology's interesting here, and there's evidence of early human habitation.


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