Brandberg Mountain
Brandberg Mountain
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
113 reviews
Excellent
51
Very good
32
Average
22
Poor
7
Terrible
1
Jeremy F
2 contributions
May 2017 • Couples
Hiking the Brandberg and the peak at Konigstein peak was an experience that exceeded my expectations. We went in May 2017, about one month after the rains ended and were treated to a vibrant desert landscape throughout the hike. We saw many plants that we had not seen elsewhere in our extensive travels, including a few trees that looked like they belonged in a Dr. Seuss book. Views from the top are spectacular.
Few guidebooks make much mention of hiking Brandberg and it was very difficult to find information on the hike. So for those who are like us and would like to organize the hike up the mountain without going through an expensive tour operator, the following should tell you what you need to know:
Difficulty and length - This hike is quite strenuous and very hot. Even if you go when the spring is flowing at the campsite, you should bring at least 4 liters of water per person. If the spring is dry, you will need 10 liters per person.
The hike can be done in 2 or 3 days. However, if you choose to hike this in 2 days, the second day will be very long (and in May there are only 11 hours of sunlight). If you can spread this over three days, this is preferable. We hike at an average pace and it took us 6.5 hours to climb from the parking lot to the camp site. The next morning, with only our day packs, it took us another 6.5 hours for the trip to the top of the mountain and back to the campsite (about 3.5 hours to get to the top, 15 minutes there and 2.75 hours to return). From there we walked another 4.5 hours to the car.
Note that the parking area is not near anything. Our guide told us that most of the time the cars don't get broken into, but it does happen. So best to leave all of your other gear at a guest house in Uis.
Getting a permit and guide - In order to hike Brandberg, you will need a permit from the National Heritage Council of Namibia. Make sure that the permit specifies that you will be climbing the peak at Konigstein. The cost is N$150. You will pay the guide N$300 (plus, hopefully, a nice tip). If you are able to meet the guide the day before the hike, he can buy food for your party for N$300 (for a party of 2). If you are not able to meet him, you can buy food yourself, but you must also bring food and water for the guide. All in all, the is a very affordable trip and not at all difficult to organize yourself, as long as you have transport to and from the trailhead.
In addition to a great hike, we saw lots of rock art along the way. This hike was one of the highlights of our trip to Namibia, but it was challenging. The terrain is very steep and slow going both up and down. From base to peak the elevation gain is about 2,000 meere. It is hot and dry, so bring lots and lots of water. And enjoy!
Few guidebooks make much mention of hiking Brandberg and it was very difficult to find information on the hike. So for those who are like us and would like to organize the hike up the mountain without going through an expensive tour operator, the following should tell you what you need to know:
Difficulty and length - This hike is quite strenuous and very hot. Even if you go when the spring is flowing at the campsite, you should bring at least 4 liters of water per person. If the spring is dry, you will need 10 liters per person.
The hike can be done in 2 or 3 days. However, if you choose to hike this in 2 days, the second day will be very long (and in May there are only 11 hours of sunlight). If you can spread this over three days, this is preferable. We hike at an average pace and it took us 6.5 hours to climb from the parking lot to the camp site. The next morning, with only our day packs, it took us another 6.5 hours for the trip to the top of the mountain and back to the campsite (about 3.5 hours to get to the top, 15 minutes there and 2.75 hours to return). From there we walked another 4.5 hours to the car.
Note that the parking area is not near anything. Our guide told us that most of the time the cars don't get broken into, but it does happen. So best to leave all of your other gear at a guest house in Uis.
Getting a permit and guide - In order to hike Brandberg, you will need a permit from the National Heritage Council of Namibia. Make sure that the permit specifies that you will be climbing the peak at Konigstein. The cost is N$150. You will pay the guide N$300 (plus, hopefully, a nice tip). If you are able to meet the guide the day before the hike, he can buy food for your party for N$300 (for a party of 2). If you are not able to meet him, you can buy food yourself, but you must also bring food and water for the guide. All in all, the is a very affordable trip and not at all difficult to organize yourself, as long as you have transport to and from the trailhead.
In addition to a great hike, we saw lots of rock art along the way. This hike was one of the highlights of our trip to Namibia, but it was challenging. The terrain is very steep and slow going both up and down. From base to peak the elevation gain is about 2,000 meere. It is hot and dry, so bring lots and lots of water. And enjoy!
Written May 30, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Farawayfields101
Piketberg29 contributions
Sep 2014 • Friends
Our guide was Patricia.
She really was super.
As we walked, Patricia not only answered our questions but also asked her own. We felt very comfortable with this friendly and knowledgeable person as we walked up the valley to see the famous painting.
Patricia also explained about how guides are trained in Namibia and the stringent tests to be passed before a guide can be certified and allowed to go to work.
Patricia also answered truthfully when she did not know the answer- very good to not be conversing with someone desperate only to tell the visitor what they want to hear (or some other fabrication).
Well worth the visit and well worth talking to the guides.
She really was super.
As we walked, Patricia not only answered our questions but also asked her own. We felt very comfortable with this friendly and knowledgeable person as we walked up the valley to see the famous painting.
Patricia also explained about how guides are trained in Namibia and the stringent tests to be passed before a guide can be certified and allowed to go to work.
Patricia also answered truthfully when she did not know the answer- very good to not be conversing with someone desperate only to tell the visitor what they want to hear (or some other fabrication).
Well worth the visit and well worth talking to the guides.
Written September 23, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
orkeyinga
Yardley, PA44 contributions
Sep 2016 • Friends
The Brandberg, a huge mountain that rises out of the Damaraland desolation, is home to the famed White Lady rock painting. This set of rock paintings, which dates from at least 1,500 BC, is somewhat of a mystery. It is sheltered by a 17 ft by 7 ft rock overhang. The figures depicted and the style of painting is much more sophisticated than the typical San (Bushman) paintings. The main figures are 15-17 inches tall. First described in detail by the Abbe Henri Breuil and his assistant in 1947, the so-called "White Lady"(with white leggings) is now thought to be a shaman or medicine man. Who painted these figures is also in dispute. The Abbe Breuil, the acknowledged world authority on the subject of rock art in Spain and France in the 1930s-50s, believed it was done by a Mediterranean people. Currently it is being argued that it was done by the San. Either way, is is a remarkable fresco, if you are able to visit it. This requires a 45 minute brisk hike up a rocky valley, unless your path is blocked by the elusive desert elephants. We were delayed for over an hour by 3 bull elephants that blocked the valley ahead of us, adding to the excitement of the day. In itself, this sighting was pretty special.
Written October 2, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Noel D
Newcastle, Australia502 contributions
Apr 2017
I am writing this review because although Brandberg is the highest mountain in Namibia & quite imposing there was nowhere else to review the surrounding countryside with some of the most spectacular rock formations & general harsh scenery we have ever seen. We kept stopping for photos everywhere.
Written May 9, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Chillilizard
Peterborough, UK134 contributions
Oct 2015 • Friends
From the information centre it is approximately an hour's walk to the painting, which is set at the end of a valley running into the mountain. Desert elephants frequent this valley, and it is quite possible that the excursion could be cancelled for safety reasons.
The painting is magnificent, even though it is actually of a shaman, not of a white lady.
The painting is magnificent, even though it is actually of a shaman, not of a white lady.
Written November 22, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Shuyao2014
Beijing, China30 contributions
Apr 2014 • Family
We hiked there for 45 minutes up and 45 minutes down for white lady. But white lady is really nothing so don't expect too much about it. However, we liked the wild life in the mountain and also the plants there and wading the creek was a lot of fun for us during a hot day. So we liked it.
Written April 17, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Michael F
Windhoek, Namibia273 contributions
May 2020
i have been numerous times at the Brandberg, but each time its and awesome sight and well worth the visit!
Written June 8, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Peter3101
Edinburgh, UK390 contributions
Oct 2019
I could not work myself up to any level of interest in this patch of dark earth......it may well be very old, but so are a lot of rocks in the area. But it is not arduous to get to them......
Written October 26, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
NoeB1
Antwerp, Belgium1,210 contributions
Jul 2017 • Family
This is the highest mountain of Namibia. We passed by on our trip to Damara land. Damara land is a very scenic area!
Written August 5, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
andrasz
London, United Kingdom563 contributions
Jun 2013 • Family
The Brandberg Mountain, particularly the upper areas is full of prehistoric rock art sites, some among the finest achievements of prehistoric art on the African continent. Most visitors only see the famous "white lady" site in the Tsisab Gorge (which is neither white, nor a lady...) accessible on a 3km footpath, but the real wonders require some serious trekking (or helicopter support). The upper part of the mountain with these amazing paintings remains one of the "lost worlds" of Africa only seen by a privileged few.
Written August 18, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi, when signing up to do the 3 day hike at Brandberg Mountain, are you required to supply your own camping gear? This would be for mid/late-April. Thanks, F
Written February 15, 2018
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