Khorixas

Khorixas is a town located in the Kunene Region of northwestern Namibia, often referred to as the "heart of Damaraland". It is situated in a mountainous and rugged semi-arid region characterized by rolling hills, dry riverbeds, and sparse vegetation. The town, with approximately 13,500 inhabitants, was formerly known as Welwitschia until 1989, a name derived from the unique Welwitschia Mirabilis plant found in parts of Namibia and Angola. The name "Khorixas" means "place of the Khori Bush". Historically, it served as the capital of the Damaraland Bantustan, and today, most of its residents belong to the Damara ethnic group, whose culture is deeply intertwined with the land.While Khorixas itself is described as a small, rustic, and fairly nondescript town, it serves as a crucial gateway and stopover point for travelers exploring the Damaraland region and heading towards the Kunene Region or Skeleton Coast. Its strategic location makes it an ideal base for visiting several spectacular natural and cultural highlights. These include the Petrified Forest, located about 40 kilometers west, which features massive fossilized tree trunks estimated to be over 280 million years old. Further west is Twyfelfontein, a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its extensive collection of ancient San rock engravings, depicting animals, human figures, and abstract patterns. Other notable geological formations in the vicinity include the Vingerklip (Finger Rock), a 35-meter-high limestone pillar, the Organ Pipes (basalt columns formed by volcanic activity), and Burnt Mountain, known for its dark, charred-looking slopes.The area around Khorixas is also home to desert-adapted wildlife, such as springbok, oryx, and elusive desert elephants, leopards, and brown hyenas. Birdlife is also diverse, including hornbills, eagles, and ostriches. For cultural immersion, the Damara Living Museum near Twyfelfontein offers visitors a chance to experience the traditions, crafts, music, and storytelling of the Damara people. The town is accessible via the C39 road from Outjo or the C35 from Uis and is approximately a five-hour drive from Windhoek.