There are several distinct ways to discover Kunene in Namibia. At Twyfelfontein, rock engravings and their heritage protection are central to its cultural heritage; on the Grootberg Plateau, guided hikes with explanations of the flora, rock formations and wildlife take centre stage. The Petrified Forest is another national monument site. The concessions of Palmwag, Etendeka and Hobatere offer a different perspective on the region through their historic designation as protected areas.

Rock Engravings and Heritage Protection at Twyfelfontein

Twyfelfontein is estimated to have about 2,500 different rock engravings; most are estimated to be more than 6,000 years old. The number gives a rough sense of scale, while the age indicates a long time span; both are estimates, and the age applies to most, not all, of the engravings. The core area of Twyfelfontein, also known as /Ui-//aes, was declared a national monument in 1948 and is protected under Namibia’s National Heritage Act of 2004. The age refers to the engravings, while the years 1948 and 2004 mark the designation and legal protection of the core area. A visitor centre welcomes guests. Check the current opening hours before your visit.

The Petrified Forest

The Petrified Forest was declared a national monument on 1 March 1950 and is currently operated as a tourist site under the supervision of the National Heritage Council of Namibia. The monument designation and tourist operation describe different aspects of the site: one dates its protected status, while the other concerns visits. Check the current operating details in advance.

The two cultural heritage highlights are therefore distinct: Twyfelfontein focuses on rock engravings and protection of the core area, while the Petrified Forest combines its monument designation with tourist operations under supervision.

Guided Hikes and Wildlife

Travellers can take guided hikes on the Grootberg Plateau. Lodge guides can explain the local flora, the rock formations of the Etendeka Mountains and the wildlife. The hike brings together botanical, landscape and natural history perspectives: it ranges from plants to rock formations to wildlife, rather than focusing on just one aspect of nature. Visitors wishing to see Twyfelfontein’s rock engravings can join a guided tour into the Huab River Valley and may also see desert-adapted elephants. The tours have different focuses: on the Grootberg, explanations of the flora, Etendeka rock formations and wildlife take centre stage; in the Huab River Valley, the tour is connected with an interest in the rock engravings and may offer a chance to see desert-adapted elephants.

Historic Protected-Area Designations

The history of protected areas offers another perspective. Before Namibia’s independence in 1990, traditional authorities in Kunene designated the Palmwag, Etendeka and Hobatere concessions as protected areas where farming was prohibited. The designation at the time imposed a specific limit on agricultural use. Unlike the monument designations of individual sites, this part of the region’s history describes a protected-area decision covering three concessions.

Discover More Destinations

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For the main travel overview: Namibia.