Khorixas Accommodation

Khorixas is a small, bustling town in north-western Namibia, surrounded by rugged mountains, dry valleys and the striking rock formations of Damaraland. Although modest in size, it occupies an important position on the road towards some of the country’s most remarkable geological, archaeological and cultural attractions.

The name Khorixas is derived from the Khori tree, a distinctive plant found in the area. The tree is also known as the mustard tree, and its presence gave the settlement a name closely connected with the local landscape. Khorixas was formerly known as Welwitschia during the South African administration, a reference to the extraordinary Welwitschia mirabilis plant found in parts of Namibia and Angola.

Khorixas developed from a farming community and trading post and later became the administrative centre of the former Damaraland homeland. Today, the town is predominantly associated with the Damara people and serves as an important service and supply centre for travellers exploring the surrounding wilderness.

The town is particularly valuable as a base for excursions. The Petrified Forest, around 40 kilometres away, contains enormous fossilised tree trunks dating back hundreds of millions of years. Nearby Twyfelfontein is famous for its extraordinary concentration of ancient rock engravings and was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2007. Burnt Mountain and the nearby Organ Pipes provide further opportunities to appreciate the area's unusual geology.

Wildlife is another attraction. The rugged countryside around Khorixas supports desert-adapted elephants, gemsbok, springbok and other hardy species, while guided cultural experiences offer insight into Damara traditions and everyday life.

Khorixas lies in the Kunene Region, one of Namibia’s most spectacular areas, where mountains, desert plains and ancient geological formations create an extraordinary sense of wilderness. The town is therefore less about sightseeing within its streets and more about its role as a gateway to the surrounding landscape.

For travellers heading into Damaraland, Khorixas is an ideal place to pause, refuel and stock up before continuing towards the region’s remarkable rock art, fossil sites, mountains and wildlife.