Otjihaenamaparero Dinosaur Tracks

The Otjihaenamaparero Dinosaur Tracks on Farm Otjihaenamaparero represent one of Namibia’s most extraordinary prehistoric relics: fossilised dinosaur footprints etched into Early Jurassic sandstone, preserved for some 200 million years and offering a unique window into the region’s deep past. 

The tracks are located on the private Farm Otjihaenamaparero, about 23 km east of the small town of Kalkfeld in the Otjozondjupa Region, at the foot of the Klein Etjo or Mount Etjo area. The site is reached by turning off the B1 highway onto the D2414/C33 region road (signposted) and following a 4×4-friendly farm track. Since the area is located on private land, visitors must obtain permission in advance and are advised to use a local guide.

The footprints occur in the Early Jurassic Etjo Sandstone formation, which was deposited in a wet or near-water environment where large dinosaurs once walked. Two major trackways are visible: one of smaller theropod footprints (e.g., about ~12 m long), and another of larger tridactyl imprints—some 45×35 cm in size, with step-lengths around 70–90 cm, and one track extending approximately 28 m. The longest traces can reach lengths of more than 30 metres. The tracks are attributed to ichnogenera such as Saurichnium (including species S. damarense, S. tetractis) and possibly others within the Theropoda. Their preservation provides a rare fossil record of dinosaur behaviour and environment in Namibia’s interior.

The site's highlights include:

• Two intersecting trackways: one smaller and one larger, clearly visible on flat sandstone slabs. 
• Imprint sizes vary: some are ~12 cm in length (smaller dinosaur), while others are ~45 cm or more (larger dinosaur). 
• The clear alignment of footprints gives a vivid sense of prehistoric movement across the now-arid landscape.
• The remote Kalkfeld/Klein Etjo setting significantly enhances the experience of walking alongside ancient tracks.

The tracks are well-preserved thanks to the hard sandstone surface and dry climate, but exposure, erosion, and visitor footfall pose threats. The site is proclaimed a National Monument (No. 014/1951). Visitor access is controlled, and both the farm owners and conservation authorities emphasise minimal disturbance.

Visitors are welcome by prior arrangement—permission from the farm owner and a guide are required. The terrain is mostly flat where the trackways lie, but the overall farm environment is remote, and services are limited. Carry water and sturdy shoes. Some tours to the tracks depart from Windhoek and take a whole day. 

Be sure to respect the site: do not climb on the slabs, avoid brushing the tracks, and refrain from making casts or tracings without specialist supervision.