Kaokoland is a region tucked away in the north-west of Namibia, the most untouched part of the whole country. Because of its remoteness, most people only ever see it from the air, and just a few manage to make it here by a car. Once you descend the famous Van Zyl's Pass, an absolutely stunning and almost magical landscape opens up before you, a red savanna surrounded by rocky mountain walls, this is Mareinfluss.
One of the coolest things here are the mysterious Stone Men (or Lone Men of Kaokoland), figures made of metal rods and rocks scattered around the area. There are dozens of them, maybe more, but no one really knows how many or where exactly they all are, their locations are kept secret. Each statue is different, some are sitting, others standing lost in thought, walking, or even hanging off cliffs. Every one has a small alloy tag with a number and sometimes a short message.
While driving through Kaokoland you've got to keep your eyes wide open for them, but it's totally worth it. The whole project is the work of an unknown artist, surrounded by mystery. Who is behind it? Why are they doing it? The internet's full of guesses, but no real answers.
One thing's for sure though, the Stone Men are a one-of-a-kind project I'd been wishing to see for a long time, and in person they're absolutely insane!
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