Spitzkoppe

Spitzkoppe is a group of granite peaks or bornhardts. It is also known as Spitzkop or Groot Spitzkop. It rises majestically about 25 kilometers on the B2 road to Swakopmund in the Namib Desert. It is an impressive 1728 m above the surrounding gravel plains that stood there for more than 700 million years. The highest point is at 700 m above the ground of the desert below. The Little Spitzkoppe, a minor peak lies at 1,584 m above sea level. With its towering heights, Groot Spitzkoppe can be viewed at great distances. It is considered as an ‘inselberg’ or island mountain.

Self drive tourist who are not aware of the beauty of Spitzkoppe usually drive past the granite mountain. The ideal way to appreciate the view is an overnight camping as the best time for photography and sunset and sunrise viewing with friends and family. It is best to do camping on summer as the sun is well on the south side of the rock mountain. The beautifully formed rocks reflect deep reds with shard contrasting shadows. The formation of rocks happened several years ago when the ancient continent of Gondwana was separating to form Africa and South America. The many volcanic activities that occurred in Namibia contributed to the formation of the rocks through the intrusion of the magma that took hundreds of years.

Within these artistically molded rocks by nature lives many trees that seemingly defiant out of thin cracks in the rock faces. The root systems of these plants seep into the deep rock fissures where they collect essential amount of moisture.
There is a secret paradise within the sturdy rocks about one hundred meters on the eastern end of the Pontok Mountains known as Bushman’s paradise. There are chains fixed on the sloping rocks to help the climbers reach all the way to the top through the smooth granite surface. If rock climbing is your thing,