Naukluft Mountains — History & Geology

The Naukluft limestone and dolomite mountains formed 600–700 million years ago when southern Namibia lay under a warm shallow sea. Earth compression 500–550 million years ago built mountains comparable in scale to the European Alps. San hunter-gatherers occupied the area 50,000 years ago. In the late 1800s, Oorlam resistance leader Hendrik Witbooi sheltered his troops here after battles against German colonial forces — the rugged gorges provided cover that confused German patrols for years.