Brukkaros Crater | Keetmanshoop

Mount Brukkaros is an extinct volcano and a prominent topographical landmark located in southern Namibia, approximately 100 km north of Keetmanshoop and 15 km west of the B1 highway.

Visual Characteristics

The site appears as a massive, dark, ring-shaped mountain rising roughly 650 meters above the surrounding Nama Karoo plains. The interior is a sunken basin approximately 3 km in diameter, creating the visual impression of a lunar crater. The terrain consists of jagged, dark-colored rock formations, predominantly red and brown shales and quartzites.

Location & Access Logistics

Access: Reached via a gravel turn-off from the B1 highway near Berseba. The final approach requires a high-clearance vehicle, and the last section to the rim must be completed on foot via a steep, rocky trail.

Hiking: A 3.5 km trail leads from the parking area to the southern rim. From there, a descent leads into the crater floor.

Permits: No formal permits are required for day visits, but the site is remote and lacks onsite management.

Historical & Ecological Origin

Despite its appearance, Brukkaros is not an impact crater or a traditional volcanic caldera. It is a phreatic volcano (steam explosion crater) formed approximately 80 million years ago when rising magma met groundwater, causing a massive explosion of superheated steam.

Solar Observatory: In 1926, the Smithsonian Institution established a solar observatory on the rim due to the area’s extreme atmospheric clarity. The ruins of this stone station are still visible.

Key Highlights & Activities

Exploration: Hiking into the central basin to observe the unique geological layers and the silence of the interior.

Observatory Ruins: Visiting the remnants of the Smithsonian site on the southern rim.

Geology: Examining the "explosion breccia" (fragmented rocks) created by the phreatic eruption.

Stargazing: One of the most isolated and dark sites in southern Namibia for astronomical observation.

Infrastructure & Amenities

Infrastructure is minimal to non-existent.

Accommodation: There are basic, unmanaged campsites at the base and on the rim. No running water, electricity, or waste disposal is provided.

Supplies: Visitors must be entirely self-sufficient. The nearest supplies and fuel are in Berseba or Keetmanshoop.

Connectivity: Mobile signal is non-existent within the crater and intermittent on the rim.

Best Time to Visit

The winter months (May to August) are mandatory for hiking, as summer temperatures inside the basin can exceed 45°C. Early morning starts are recommended to complete the ascent before the sun reaches its peak.

Facts & Legends

The name "Brukkaros" is derived from the Nama word Gebkaus, referring to the leather apron (karos) worn by Nama women, which the mountain’s shape is said to resemble. A specific geological fact: the floor of the crater is actually higher than the surrounding plains, as the entire mountain was uplifted during the explosive event.

Nearby Landmarks

Berseba: 15 km East

Keetmanshoop: 100 km South

Garas Park: 80 km South

Fish River: 40 km East