The upper parts of the Brandberg mountain (Daureb) in Namibia is one of the last remaining 'lost worlds' of Africa. This huge circular dome of granite, located 70 kilometres from the Atlantic Ocean and about 25 kilometres in diameter, rises above the plains of the Namib desert to an elevation of 2500 metres. The whole of the mountain was inhabited in prehistory, and the principal valleys and especially the difficult-to-access upper plateaus have hundreds of rocks painting sites that are among the finest and best preserved on the African continent.
Harald Pager spent eight years on the mountain till his death in 1985, documenting and tracing the numerous sites in the Upper Brandberg. His amazingly detailed drawings were published posthumously by the Heinrich Barth Institut of Cologne in seven splendid volumes, which set the standard for any rock art publication project.
Visit Upper Brandberg, Namibia
Our aim on this expedition will be to focus on four areas of the Upper Brandberg; the Western Amis Gorge, Northern Hungorob (around Aigub peak), Waterfall Plain and the Gaíaseb Gorge, visiting the sites recorded by Pager in a systematic way. We will use a helicopter to ascend to the first camp in Western Amis Gorge, and also to make caches of supplies at further campsites to aid our trek. Nevertheless, the treks between campsites, up to various outlying rock art sites, then the descent via Ga'aseb Gorge will be very difficult. The terrain consists of granite boulders, thickly overgrown in places with thorny vegetation. This expedition may only be recommended to very experienced trekkers with a proven track record, who are willing to but up with much discomfort and very basic comforts for the nine days. In return they will be rewarded with the opportunity to visit sites which have only ever been seen by a dozen people, maybe less.
The expedition will start and return to Windhoek. Participants will be expected to make their own flight arrangements.
