Helpful tips for when traveling through Namibia
October 18, 2022
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A vast plain, a red sun slowly disappearing behind the mountains and wild horses galloping by in the distance. Welcome to Klein Aus Vista, a crazy place in southern Namibia. Here you will sleep under a sky full of stars. Klein Aus Vista is a valuable addition to your tour of Namibia. The small town of Aus lies on the edge of Namib Naukluft National Park and the Sperrgebiet. The landscapes are vast and breathtakingly beautiful for taking a brisk walk.
Camping at Klein Aus Vista's Desert Horse Campsite
If you are wondering what camping in Namibia is supposed to be like, it is as follows: no electricity, pitches that are far apart, a tap with running water, good facilities for washing up, clean sanitary facilities and great mountain views from the campsite. A good description of what camping is like at Klein Aus Vista's Desert Horse Campsite. And then we almost forget the best part: a sky that turns deep red at night, long after the sun has already set. All while the birds in the weaver's nest above your head happily twitter. Camping here is a true experience.
Tip: The most beautiful campsite is spot number 10!
Prefer a lodge? These are your options
In case you are not so crazy about camping and prefer to spend the night in lodges, that is also possible at Klein Aus Vista. Around the reception, where you will also find the restaurant and swimming pool, there are several cottages that you can book. The so-called Desert Horse Inn. Want a more spectacular overnight stay? Then you should choose one of the Eagle Nest chalets or the Geisterschlucht cabin. You can book these directly through the Klein Aus Vista website.
Hiking trails at Klein Aus Vista
Klein Aus Vista is under the management of an incredibly large piece of land that, as we mentioned earlier, runs along the edges of the Sperrgebiet and Namib Naukluft National Park. To hike across the territory, you can buy a permit at the front desk for 50 NAD, about €3 per person. This gives you permission to hike and the money is invested in the maintenance of the area.
1. Schutztruppe trail (10km)
Three hiking trails start from the Desert Horse Campsite: the yellow, red and brown trails. We chose the yellow route, the Schutztruppe Trail, of about 10 kilometers which took us about 4 hours. The first five kilometers we hiked through the mountains surrounding the campsite. We climbed considerably and reached a high point of 1,550 meters. An increase of 450 meters since the campsite is at an altitude of 1,350 meters. Then we descended until we came out to the bullet-riddled Hudson Terraplane. Most likely the car belonged to diamond smugglers during World War I. From here it is a flat walk back to the Desert Horse Campsite. It was our favorite part of the hike as the views here are nothing short of breathtaking.
2. Stone Horse - Sunset Point
One of the highlights of staying at Klein Aus Vista's Desert Horse Campsite is the hike to sunset point. This is because from here you have a view of the Stone Horse 600 meters below. A drawing of stones in the shape of a horse that you can only see in the landscape from above. It is a beautiful place to watch the sun set and the valley you overlook change color.
Wild horse spotting at Garub
It's probably hard to imagine horses living in the wild in the vast desert of Namib Naukluft National Park. But they really do live here. It is not entirely clear how the horses got here, but the story goes that a German baron transported horses by ship to Namibia to keep at his castle. During World War I, he went back into service and lost his life on the battlefield. His wife never returned to Namibia. The horses escaped and over the years have adapted to a life in the Namibian desert.
The best chance to catch a glimpse of the wild horses is about 20 kilometers from Aus. Near Garub you will find a landscaped water source where the wild horses come to drink water. You might get lucky and even see several animals drinking together from the water source. Think zebras, ostriches and the oryx. By the way, the horses are not always here. The first time we came here we did not see them, but the second time on our way from Lüderitz to Sesriem they were there.
Use the app maps.me to navigate to Garub because you'll drive right past the water source. From Aus you'll find the point on the right side of the road, but to get there you'll first drive a short distance on a dirt road.
Continue your journey to Lüderitz
After a few days in the peace and wilderness of Klein Aus Vista, it is time to move on toward the coast. The route from Aus to Lüderitz is a scenic drive: a long, straight road that runs right through the vast Sperrgebiet, with chances of spotting Garub's wild horses along the way once again. Lüderitz is with its colorful colonial houses, abandoned diamond city Kolmanskop and fresh sea air a fine place to be. A unique destination that will complete your tour of southern Namibia.
Lois Weeterings
A dreamer and adventure seeker, always on the lookout for new experiences. But also a hard worker with a thousand ideas racing through my mind. As a personal travel consultant and travel blogger, I share my passion for faraway destinations, thrilling adventures, and winter sports. With deep knowledge of places like Namibia, Colombia, the ABC Islands, and the Middle East, I’m here to help you craft a trip you’ll never forget. Through my personal stories and expert tips, I aim to inspire you to explore the world your way. Always with my camera in hand, I’m determined to capture every magical moment and share it with you.
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