Attractions en route to the coast
A must-see when travelling to Uis is Namibia's highest mountain, the Brandberg, which is located about 30 km from this small town in the Erongo regionThe Brandberg is located in the northwest near the coast and covers an area of approximately 650 km2, with its highest point - the Königstein - standing proud at 2 573 m above sea level.
The Brandberg is a spiritual site for many of the San people who live in the area. Today, the site is especially well-known for the impressive concentration of San rock art found in overhangs, the most famous being the so-called White Lady. The White Lady painting can be found at the foot of the Brandberg in the Tsisab ravine where there are many little overhangs and outcrops. Here too, more than 45 000 paintings can be found.
The White Lady is a rather misleading name since the etching is likely to be a medicine man of sorts with his arms and legs painted white. Some rock art experts believe that the painting depicts a ritual dance, while others believe it represents a hunting scene due to the presence of bows and oryx.
About 120 km from Uis, you will find Henties Bay which is a popular holiday and retirement settlement, with angling being a popular activity.
There are several tried and tested fishing spots located in the vicinity, all of which are listed as GPS coordinates on a map provided by the Henties Bay Tourist Information Office. To reach these spots, you can drive along the beach, although you’ll need a 4x4 and sufficient experience with driving on loose sand.
Henties Bay also serves as the gateway to the seal colony at Cape Cross, a protected area owned by the government and named the Cape Cross Seal Reserve. The reserve is the home of one of the largest colonies of Cape fur seals in the world. It is located just shy of 60 km north of Henties Bay.
Cape Cross may seem like the kind of place with nothing to do except watch the seals but don’t be fooled by its barren appearance. Whether you are camping at the Seal Reserve or staying at the Cape Cross Lodge, there is much more to do, including hiking the hills and discovering its hidden wildlife.
You can also visit the Messum Crater, which is what remains of an ancient volcano. However, remember that if you want to undertake this outing, you will need a 4×4 and plenty of fuel.