Otjihipa Mountains

The Otjihipa Mountains are a wild and rugged mountain range situated in the remote far north-western corner of Namibia, within the Kunene Region. This impressive range is the second highest in the Kaokoveld, a region whose name, "Kaoko," derives from the Herero word "okaoko," meaning "the left arm," referencing its position at Namibia's north-western extreme. Geologically, the mountains are primarily composed of quartzite and dolomite rock in the east, transitioning to metamorphic granites in the west. One of its peaks reaches an elevation of 1,752 meters (5,748 feet). The mountains are located around 17°18′00″S latitude and 12°42′00″E longitude.The Otjihipa Mountains are a significant part of the Kaokoveld Centre of Endemism, a critical area for many restricted-range plants and animals. The vegetation is characterized as semi-arid Commiphora-Cyphostemma Savanna. Rainfall is sparse, typically ranging from 75–100 mm annually, occurring mainly as summer thunderstorms, while winters are dry, cooler, and occasionally experience fog from the Namib Desert. The unique cliff-face habitats, particularly the sheer, south-facing granitic rock crevices at altitudes between 1,500 and 1,900 meters, provide a sanctuary for rare species like the Pelargonium vanderwaltii, also known as the Otjihipa pelargonium. One twin peak in the range is locally referred to as Okahukumune by the Himba people. These south-facing cliffs offer protection from larger herbivores, and plants in this environment have adapted, for instance, by resprouting after damage and possessing succulent stems to survive dry conditions.