No, I have not completely lost my mind. And no, there are not actual organ pipes hidden somewhere in the Namibian country side…well, not exactly.
If you ever find yourself in the Brandberg-Twyfelfontein area, do not miss out on this natural phenomenon.
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Tucked away inside a valley, visitors will find a unique sight… a collection of Dolerite Dykes that look like a massive organ’s pipes pushing up towards the clear, blue sky.
How did they develop? Once again, the origins are linked to the ancient super continent of Gondwana. As the continent was beginning to break apart, molten rock pushed to the surface. And led to the formation of these strange and wonderful columns.
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Due to the years of weather exposure, these columns have a warm rusty colour to them and are any photographer’s dream.
A similar dolerite display can be found at Giant’s Causeway in Northern Ireland, but rumour has it the Namibian site is in a much better and more appealing condition.
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How can you get there? Drive towards Brandberg from Khorixas, but keep your eyes peeled! The entrance to the Organ Pipes is not well marked.
Just before you reach the mountain, on the left-hand side you will see a stone with ‘OrrelPype’ written onto it, that means Organ Pipes in Afrikaans. Turn in there and follow the ‘yellow brick road’ to the magical organ pipe valley.
A great place to use as a base while exploring the majestic Organ Pipes, is the Damara Mopane Lodge just outside of Khorixas. We suggest visiting the valley in the mornings to get the best lighting for photographs.
Remember there are always do’s and don’ts at these kinds of natural sights…
- Do not litter
- Do not remove anything from the valley
- Do not damage anything in the park
- Do respect nature
- Do take lots of pictures
- Do have fun
- Do enjoy the scenery
When you visit, try to listen to the massive organ as the wind dances along the pipes.
If you have visited the Organ Pipes before or have information regarding this site, we invite you to share it in the comment section below.
Author – Jescey Visagie is a proud Namibian and is passionate about writing and language. Tag along for the ride as she tries to uncover new insights into Namibia and explores what the country has to offer.
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