The small sun-baked town of Usakos, nestled in the valley of the Khan River, developed around a station on the old
narrow-gauge railway built in 1900. Beyond Usakos is the Trekkopje Battlefield, site of one of the most important battles fought during the short-lived 1915 campaign involving South
African and German forces.
The Erongo Mountains north of the town are renowned for the rock art found at sites such as Phillipp's Cave, named after Emil Philipp, who owned the
farm Ameib when the cave was discovered. One of the most striking examples of prehistoric art, the White Elephant, is found in this rock shelter. A popular picnic spot for visitors to
Ameib is a collection of giant boulders referred to as Bull's Party. Phillipp's Cave can be reached only on foot, a walk that takes about 45 minutes. There is a Namib-i office at the
Shell Service Station in Usakos providing information on these attractions.
When travelling between Usakos and the coast, an extraordinary granite mass, the Spitzkoppe, dominates
the desert plain towards the north. This 1 728-m high insel- berg, sometimes referred to as the Matterhorn of Namibia, is a severe test for any rock climber. The area is also known
for its rock art and semi-precious stones. |
