The feral horses of the Namib Desert can be seen near Aus in southern Namibia...
 
 
Tourist Regions
ORANGE RIVER
KALAHARI-AROAB-KOES
FISH RIVER CANYON
LÜDERITZ
KEETMANSHOOP
KARASBERG
BERSEBA
 
Did you know?

One of the greatest Namibian leaders Hendrik Witbooi was a Nama leader who heroically harassed the German occupiers from his base in the Naukluft mountains and played a large part in the history of Namibia's first liberation struggle

The Namib desert covers some 15% of Namibia with dune seas, gravel plains and deeply eroded canyons such as the Fish River Canyon which is 160km in length, up to 27km wide and reaches a depth of 550 metres. The central plateau, which runs from north to south, has an average altitude of between 1000 and 2000m, with landscapes ranging from rugged mountain ranges and rocky outcrops to sand filled valleys and endless plains

Some 130 million years ago a super continent known as Gondwana tore asunder and left the southern continents we know today as relics. Namibia once locked in the very heart of Gondwana, now lay on the western littoral of Africa. When the fireworks from the throes of continental separation subsided, large volcanoes survived as mountains, like the Brandberg and Spitzkop. From that time and before Namibia has ghost rivers left behind when the ice age glaciers crawled across the land, it has the tracks of dinosaurs embedded in sandstone.
 
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Location
The settlements of Aus, Helmeringhausen and Bethanie, though geographically each some 100km apart, are natural entry points to the north western limits of the Karas region. Aus and Helmeringhausen both rest on the fringes of the Namib Desert with Bethanie further east. An estimated 20 000 visitors pass through this area each year alone.
Aus, some 120 km from Lüderitz lies on the B4 roadway at the natural intersection of 3 desert zones – the Succulent Karoo, Nama Karoo and Dune Namib. Here, the Aus Mountains meet desert plains and dunes, providing a rich mixture of landscapes and a rare opportunity to enter the exclusive concession area of the Namib Naukluft Park, which hosts many attractions. Among these are the famed Namib Feral Horses, the Red Khoichab Desert belt, the ancient Camelthorn Tree Forest, as well as archaeological sites, ancient rock art and an extinct volcanic mountain.
Besides breathtaking scenery, the area has seen a rich history: from Nama rebellions a century ago, to World War I POW camps, karakul farming and diamond booms, as well as the development of the Aus/Lüderitz railway line into the interior. The small settlement of some 700 inhabitants is set to become a “must-stop” for visitors, encourage by a new community-based Aus Tourism Information Centre, incorporating 5 fascinating museums, currently under development.
Helmeringhausen, about100 km further north on the C13, in the Tiras area, is another ideal oasis en-route to famous sights like Sossusvlei. The town basks on a limestone plateau, with welcoming accommodations, popular for German-Namibian hospitality at surrounding farms and guest lodges, set amidst mountains and plains peppered with thorn and succulent. Some sport game farming and hunting operations, which are well known in the area.
Bethanie, on the C14 road just off the main B4 to Aus, is a popular detour on the northern route to Helmeringhausen. One of the country’s oldest hamlets, known for the its mission churches and home of the Red Nation or KaiIIKhaun/Oorlam people, who settled the era in 1804, the town was built around a strong spring and abounds in a heritage that has included events of nationally historic importance.

Resorts
Both Aus and Helmeringhausen are blessed with resorts that are popular destinations for the Karas traveller. The Aus area is home to the impressive Klein Aus Vista, a 300 000 hectare private park that features a choice of exceptional accommodations at different locations – each with its own breathtaking landscape views. These include Eagle’s Nest Lodge, with uniquely designed private chalets built around massive granite boulders; the Desert Rose Inn, a luxury modern guesthouse with bar and country cuisine restaurant, as well as self-caterings dormitory-style. cabins, sleeping up 12, and an outstandingly equipped camping site.

There are additional guesthouse accommodations at Farm Namtib, and two 1-star establishments, the Arano and the Bahnhof in the town. Bethanie has relatively few accommodations but the modest Bethanien and the pleasant self-catering/B&B, Kuibis Castle are available for those who may wish to overnight.
There are at least 8 highly well-established farm-style resorts in the Helmeringhausen area, of various sizes and set in the many unique settings around the beautiful Tiras Mountains. They serve the needs of bus groups, self-drive tourists, campers and even those arriving by aircraft from the nearby airstrip. Among these are guest lodges including Farm Tiras, Farm Landsberg, Farm Gunsbewys, Dabnis Farm, Sinclair Farm and the popular Helmeringhausen Hotel & Guest Farm. Most sport luxury comforts and essential, rustic farm hospitality, with excellent catering.

Activities
Aus is a delight for landscape explorers and photographers, with exclusive guided trips into the Sperrgebiet to view the Namib Feral Horses that have roamed free in this area since 1915 (some of the last wild horse populations left in the world). A guided 4x4 excursion down the Koichab Dune Trail is a must for offroaders, while marked 1-4 day hiking trails into the mountains are possible for those in possession of a fitness certificate.

History buffs will appreciate visits to sites such as the Shutztruppe Ruins (where the famed 5th Camel Company was once located), and to a prisoner of war site and burial ground dating back to 1914. Horse riding trails, various 1-day excursions, and shorter sunset and sunrise drives are also available.
At Helmeringhausen, farm resorts like the Tiras Berg Nature Park play host to many activities like scenic game drives, aerial trips over the Namib, hiking trails, organised game hunting and custom-made tours to sites like Duwisib Castle and further afield. They are features of a well-organised and service-dedicated private tourism industry in this area.
Bethanie is a must for serious historians. Founded by the London Mission Society, it was actually established by a German missionary, Heinrich Schmelen, whose Schmelenhause, built in 1815, is Namibia’s oldest surviving building and now a fascinating cultural history and memorabilia museum.
The settlement is traditional home to the Oorlam people, originally from South Africa, who are noted for playing a major role in the history of the region, promulgating the so-called Ryksboek in 1847 which laid down some of the earliest written principles for tribal law and self-governance that were to be adopted by other Namibian tribal peoples.
Bethanie is also the site of the first recorded deed of sale between Namibian peoples and colonial representatives – the infamous sale of the diamond area to Adolph Lüderitz occurred here in 1883 at the house of Nama chief, Joseph Fredericks. A visit to Bethanie's mission church, built in 1859, introduces the tourist to another rich Bethanie tradition – its singing, with a choir still famed for the quality of its voices and works sung in the Nama tongue.

 
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