Burnt Mountain | Otjiwarongo

Information

Landmark: Burnt Mountain
City: Otjiwarongo
Country: Namibia
Continent: Africa

Burnt Mountain, Otjiwarongo, Namibia, Africa

Burnt Mountain (Verbrande Berg) is a National Monument in the Kunene Region of northwestern Namibia, located approximately 10 kilometers southeast of the Twyfelfontein UNESCO site and just 1 kilometer from the Organ Pipes.

Visual Characteristics

The mountain is not a high peak but a 12-kilometer-long volcanic ridge that rises about 200 meters above the surrounding plains. It is characterized by a desolate, "scorched" appearance with a color palette of deep purple, charred black, and rusted red. These dark tones create a high-contrast visual against the lighter beige Karoo shales of the desert floor, particularly during the "golden hour" at sunrise and sunset when the mountain appears to glow.

Geological Origin

The site is a product of intense contact metamorphism that occurred approximately 120 to 132 million years ago, coinciding with the breakup of the Gondwana supercontinent.

The Intrusion: Molten dolerite (at temperatures around $1,000^\circ\text{C}$) intruded into layers of 200-million-year-old carbonaceous shale and siltstone.

The "Burning": The intense heat "baked" the organic-rich shale, driving off volatile components and leaving behind a charred, clinker-like mass of metamorphic rock.

Mineral Coloration: The presence of manganese and iron oxides contributes to the vivid purple and red hues found on its slopes.

Location & Access Logistics

Access: Situated off the D3254 (frequently referred to as the D2612 area) near the Aba-Huab River.

Vehicle Type: Easily accessible via 2WD vehicles on well-maintained gravel roads.

Entry: Often bundled with a visit to the Organ Pipes. A small entrance fee is paid at the gatehouse shared by both sites.

Status: Declared a National Monument on September 15, 1956.

Key Highlights & Activities

Geological Photography: The textures and contrasting colors of the "burnt" rock are a primary draw for photographers.

Panoramic Views: From the designated parking areas, visitors have a panoramic view of the desolate Damaraland landscape, which remains one of the most sparsely populated regions in Africa.

Proximity: Its location allows travelers to visit the Rock Engravings, Organ Pipes, and Burnt Mountain in a single half-day excursion.

Infrastructure & Amenities

Facilities: Minimal. There is a basic parking area and a ticket hut. No water, shade, or restrooms are available at the mountain; these are located at the nearby Twyfelfontein Visitor Centre.

Connectivity: Mobile signal is extremely weak or non-existent in this valley.

Best Time to Visit

The mountain is most impressive in the late afternoon. In the harsh light of midday, it can appear as a dull, black heap, but as the sun sets, the chemical composition of the rocks causes them to shimmer with purple and crimson tones.

Clarification: "The Burning Mountain"

It is important to distinguish Burnt Mountain from the Brandberg Massif (Namibia’s highest mountain). While both are located in Damaraland and both names translate to "Burning Mountain," they are distinct sites:

Burnt Mountain: Small volcanic ridge near Twyfelfontein known for metamorphosed shale.

Brandberg (Daureb): Massive granite intrusion near Uis known for the "White Lady" rock painting.