Khorixas
The administrative and service centre of Damaraland, and a practical base for exploring Twyfelfontein, the Petrified Forest and Vingerklip.
Khorixas is the administrative and service centre of Damaraland, a small town surrounded by some of Namibia’s most distinctive geological scenery. While the town itself is modest, it sits at the hub of routes to Twyfelfontein, the Petrified Forest, Burnt Mountain, the Organ Pipes and the striking rock pillar of Vingerklip, making it an important practical base for exploring the region.
Geographic setting
Khorixas lies on the plateau country of Damaraland, an area defined by isolated rock outcrops, dry riverbeds and wide open plains. The surrounding landscape includes some of Namibia’s most unusual geological features, several of which lie within a short drive of the town.
Historical context
Khorixas developed in the twentieth century as the administrative centre for what was then the Damaraland homeland under South African rule, a designation tied to the apartheid-era system of ethnically defined “homelands” that restricted where Damara people could live and move. Since Namibian independence in 1990, Khorixas has continued as a regional service centre while Damara communities across the wider area retain strong cultural and historical ties to the land.
Present-day character
Today Khorixas functions mainly as a supply town for travellers touring Damaraland’s attractions and for the surrounding farming and conservancy areas. It has basic but useful services and a straightforward, unpretentious character rather than a strong tourism identity of its own.
Photo: Hp.Baumeler, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Why visit
Few travellers come to Khorixas for the town itself; its value lies in its location as a convenient base and supply point for exploring Damaraland’s geological and cultural sites, several of which are among Namibia’s most distinctive.
Main sights and experiences
From Khorixas, travellers can reach Twyfelfontein‘s UNESCO-listed rock engravings, the fossilised logs of the Petrified Forest, the striated slopes of Burnt Mountain, the basalt columns of the Organ Pipes, and the isolated finger-like rock tower of Vingerklip, all within a day’s circuit.
The Organ Pipes
West of town near the Burnt Mountain, the Organ Pipes are a tightly packed cluster of standing basalt columns, formed around 150 million years ago as molten lava intruded into shale and was later exposed by erosion.
Photo: wolfgang.mller54, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
The Petrified Forest
A National Monument a short drive from Khorixas, the Petrified Forest preserves fossilised tree trunks estimated to be around 280 million years old, swept into the area long before the region’s current landscape took shape.
Photo: Joaquín Romero Redondo, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Cultural and historical context
Khorixas and the wider Damaraland area hold deep significance for Damara communities, whose history and ongoing presence in the region long predate and continue alongside its more recent administrative role. Visitors are encouraged to learn about this history through appropriate community-run or guided experiences rather than treating the area only as a backdrop for geological sightseeing.
Accommodation context
Khorixas has a small selection of guesthouses and a lodge in town, while more distinctive lodge accommodation, including options at Vingerklip itself, is found on the surrounding routes towards Twyfelfontein and the Petrified Forest. See our accommodation hub for accommodation across Namibia.
For lodges and hotels in and around town, see our Damaraland accommodation listings, which include the Khorixas properties along with the wider region.
Where to stay in Khorixas
Khorixas is the administrative town for Damaraland and a practical fuel and supply stop before Twyfelfontein. Beds are split between the town itself and camps out along the C39. These three span the range.
Places to stay near Khorixas
iGowati Country Hotel
A dependable, affordable town hotel in Khorixas, ideal as a convenient overnight stop and supply point on a…
Price Guide: N$1,116
View Property DetailsMadisa Camp
An inventive, family-run camp of safari tents and campsites set among boulders between Twyfelfontein and the…
Price Guide: N$2,800
View Property DetailsDamara Mopane Lodge
A cheerful Gondwana Collection lodge of garden bungalows near Khorixas, well placed for Twyfelfontein, the…
Price Guide: N$3,904–N$4,568
View Property Details
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Food, shopping, fuel and supplies
Khorixas has fuel stations, a supermarket and basic shops, making it a sensible place to restock before heading into more remote parts of Damaraland where facilities are limited.
How to get there
Khorixas is reached via tarred road from Outjo (C39) or gravel roads from Twyfelfontein and the Skeleton Coast route via Torra Bay and Palmwag.
Getting around
A private vehicle, ideally with reasonable ground clearance, is needed to reach the surrounding attractions, most of which lie on gravel roads.
Best time to visit
Khorixas and the surrounding sites can be visited year-round; the cooler months from May to September are generally more comfortable for a full day of sightseeing.
Suggested length of stay
An overnight stay in or near Khorixas allows a full day to visit Twyfelfontein, the Petrified Forest, Burnt Mountain, the Organ Pipes and Vingerklip without rushing.
Day trips and nearby attractions
Twyfelfontein, the Petrified Forest, Burnt Mountain, the Organ Pipes and Vingerklip can all be visited as day trips from Khorixas, typically combined into a single loop.
Road and vehicle considerations
Most routes around Khorixas are gravel; a standard car can usually manage them at moderate speed in dry conditions, though a higher-clearance vehicle is preferable, and care should be taken around loose gravel and occasional washouts after rain.
Safety and practical considerations
Distances between fuel stops are significant in Damaraland; travellers should refuel in Khorixas and carry sufficient water, particularly in the heat of the day, and take heat and sun exposure seriously when visiting sites like the Petrified Forest and Burnt Mountain.
Responsible travel guidance
Visit rock art and geological sites with an official guide, stay on marked paths, never remove or touch petrified wood or rock engravings, and choose community-linked tours and conservancies where possible to support local Damara communities directly.
Related destinations
Twyfelfontein. Namibia’s UNESCO World Heritage rock art site, reached from Khorixas.
Damaraland. The wider region Khorixas serves as a service centre for.
Uis. A Damaraland settlement near the Brandberg, on the route towards the coast.
Outjo. A gateway town east of Khorixas on the route towards Etosha National Park.
Frequently asked questions
Is Khorixas a good base for exploring Damaraland?
Yes, it is centrally placed for day trips to Twyfelfontein, the Petrified Forest, Burnt Mountain, the Organ Pipes and Vingerklip.
What is Vingerklip?
Vingerklip is a tall, isolated limestone rock pillar near Khorixas, one of the more striking geological landmarks in the region.
Should I fill up with fuel in Khorixas?
Yes, it is a sensible place to refuel before heading into more remote parts of Damaraland.
Planning a stop in Khorixas?
See the wider Damaraland region, build a self-drive route through the north-west, or check the practical planning guides before you go.
Damaraland hub Self-Drive Namibia guide Itineraries Travel PlanningLast reviewed: 27 July 2026.