| |
|
|
Uis
|
 |
| |
|
|

Note the rear legs |

Aerial view of Uis and the Old Mine |

Tourist Information Centre |
|
Your first views of Uis will be of the large white mine dumps. From
commencement of mining in 1924 to the closure of the mine in 1990 some
35,000 tons of high grade Tin Ore Concentrate was produced. The open
pit mining operation at Uis was notable insomuch that it had the
reputation of being the largest Hard Rock Tin Mine in the world. The
closure of the mine in 1990 dealt a financial below to the area, but
the year also witnessed the country's independence and
Namibia became
more accessible to foreign visitors. The natural beauty of the nearby
Brandberg
Mountain along with it's wealth of world famous rock paintings,
including the famous
White Lady of Brandberg mural, attract researchers and tourists alike.
There are in excess of 45,000 Bushman Rock Art figures of animals, glyphs
and man to be found on the mountain. You will find the staff at the
local tourist office friendly and informative. There are good B&Bs and
camp sites at Uis. Shopping is limited, but the town has a small
supermarket where you can stock up. Fuel, tires and repair
facilities are available.
|
|
|

Bushman Shaman |

Early Morning at the Brandberg |
|
Local Area Attractions
|
|
| |
|
|
|
 |
The
White Lady of Brandberg: A National Heritage Site. Guided tours only. It
takes a 45 minute hike to reach the Maack Shelter where the mural is
situated. This painting remained the most controversial piece of Bushman
Rock Art for several decades, and was erroneously named The White Lady
Of Brandberg. The mural is a fascinating piece of
ancient art giving us an insight to Bushman culture over 2000 years
ago. Time budget 2-3hr
►► |
|
| |
|
|
 |
Twyfelfontein is a large Sandstone rock face with a
shelf on, which can be found an unusual group of rock-formations etched
by the desert winds. Twyfelfontein is also the location of the largest single
display of Bushman
Rock Engravings in the world. Over 2,500 depictions of animals,
humans and strange and mystical glyphs on 200 rock slabs plus rock paintings. It
is a National Heritage site and is subject to Guided Tours only.
Time budget 1-2 hr
►► |
|
| |
|
|
 |
The Burnt Mountain: Unusual
Geological phenomena. In prehistoric times organic material accumulated on the
bottom of a lake bed. This was later covered by sedimentary deposits and buried.
During the Break-up of Gondwana hot magma pushed upwards and when coming
into contact with the organic material baked it. The remaining rock is quite
colourful in certain sunlight conditions. Time budget 30min
►► |
|
| |
|
|
 |
Organ Pipes: Unusual Geological
feature similar to the Giant's causeway in Northern Ireland. About 125 million
years ago when Gondwana
was dividing into Africa and South America the earh's crust in this
region was subjected to a great up-thrusting of molten
rock which formed into polygon shaped pipes owing to surrounding
constrictions. Time budget 30
minutes.
►► |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Travel To
Uis
By Road - Self Drive: (There are no scheduled bus
services to Uis) From
Henties Bay: Drive the C34 north for 6km then
turn East onto C36 for
114km From
Khorixas:
Drive the C39 for 5km turn south onto C35 for 115km From
Omaruru: Drive the C36 west
for 123km From Usakos: Drive the B1 west
for 24km turn north onto D1930 for 133km
Distances
from Uis ( km /
miles )
| Henties Bay |
Khorixas |
Omaruru |
Swakopmund |
Usakos |
Windhoek |
| 112 /
70 |
131 /
81 |
127 /
79 |
187 /
116 |
132 /
82 |
372 /
231 |
|
|