Namibia's Karas Region - places of interest that make it attractive to tourists

Photo: Rock formations of the Fish River Canyon - Karas Region

Namibia Country & Travel Info

Read about places of interest in Namibia for sightseeing, game viewing and other holiday activities - select a region to see details:

Namibia's 13 Regions - in alphabetical order:

Caprivi - Katima Mulilo, Kwando River, Mudumu, Ngoma

Erongo - Erongo, Omaruru, Skeleton Coast, Swakopmund

Hardap - Kalahari, Maltahöhe, Namib Desert, Sossusvlei

Karas - Fish River Canyon, Kalahari, Keetmanshoop, Lüderitz

Kavango - Bushmanland, Divundu, Kaudom Game Park,

                       Mahango, Okavango River, Popa Falls, Rundu

Khomas - Khomas Highlands, Windhoek

Kunene - Damaraland, Kaokoland, Kunene, Twyfelfontein

Omaheke - Buitepos, Gobabis, Trans-Kalahari-Highway

Ohangwena - Oshikango

Omusati - Ombalantu

Oshana - Ondangwa, Oshakati, Nakambale

Oshikoto - Etosha National Park, Tsumeb

Otjozondjupa - Bushmanland, Otjiwarongo, Waterberg

 Here you'll find essential Namibia Travel Info

Where to stay for overnights in Namibia and at travel destinations around neighbouring countries is listed under Recommended Accommodations. 

Unique Tours & Safaris, Namibia

Contact Heike by Email:
info@unique-tours-safaris.com

Web: www.unique-tours-safaris.com

P. O. Box 1301
Swakopmund/Namibia
Cell:  +264-(0)81-2122580
Tel/Fax: +264-(0)64-406313
NTB-Registration: TFA 00107

Complete safari proposals can be found under

Suggested Itineraries

Namibia - country & travel info - PLACES OF INTEREST

Quick links to info
on places of interest
in other
Namibian Regions:

Caprivi
Erongo / Hardap Karas / Kavango Khomas / Kunene Omaheke / Omusati  Ohangwena
Oshana / Oshikoto Otjozondjupa

Karas - a region in Namibia's far south, one of only two regions spanning the entire width of the country. It is made up of three distinctively different areas:

• Aus, Lüderitz & Tiras Mountains - the west of the Karas Region

• Fish River Canyon & Gariep River - in the southern centre of the region

• Kalahari & Keetmanshoop Area - in the east of the region

Aus

A tiny village situated in the transition area from the southern Namib Desert to the Succulent Karoo. It was founded close to a concentration camp in use during WW I and II to hold civilians and soldiers opposing South African and British intervention in the South-West African territory that is now Namibia. Many of the camp's inhabitants who died during a flu epidemic are buried in a nearby cemetery that is open to the public. The modern-day Aus Tourist Information Centre provides insights into the area's history and many natural attractions.

Bogenfels
Bogenfels is a location in the coastal Namib Desert noted for its natural rock formations (hence the name, which means " rock arch"). The main formation is a 55 metre high rock arch close to the coast.

Guided excursions to the Bogenfels Rock Arch depart from Lüderitz. 

Kolmanskop
Kolmanskop is a ghost town situated a few kilometres inland from the port town of Lüderitz. It was a small mining village and is now a popular tourist destination.

Lüderitz
Lüderitz is a slightly sleepy and maybe also bizarre place, which forms the basis of its appeal. The founding settlement of Namibia today consists of some 20 000 citizens. It was built on the bare granite rocks at the fringe of the Namib Desert and is openly exposed to the frequent Atlantic winds.

Apart from various sightseeing options available to visitors on a self-drive and guided basis, one of the special experiences to be had from Lüderitz only, is a marine cruise with a ship that made history, the Sedina.

Tiras Mountains
The Tiras Mountains are situated 280kms from Sossusvlei and 260kms from on the edge of the Namib Desert. The surrounding is made of red shining granite rocks and is undoubtedly one of the best places to relax for a few days.

Wild Horses
They hold an irresistible fascination: the Wild Horses of the Namib in south-western Namibia. For centuries their origin was shrouded in mystery.

These feral horses are regularly seen congregating at a permanent watering hole, which is situated off the main road connecting Aus and Lüderitz, only a few kilometres to the west of Aus.

Continue reading below
Karas Region - Fish River Canyon & Gariep River / Kalahari & Keetmanshoop Area

Ai-Ais Hot Springs
Thermal water rich in sulphates and fluorides and with a temperature of approx 60°C, gushes forth from the springs of Ai-Ais. In the Nama language, "Ai-Ais" means "burning water".

Fish River Canyon
It is the second largest canyon in the world and the largest in Africa, as well as the second most visited tourist attraction in Namibia. It features a gigantic ravine, in total about 100 miles (160 km) long, up to 27 km wide and in places almost 550 metres deep.

Gariep River (previously: Orange River)
The Gariep (Orange) River is the longest river in South Africa. It rises in the Drakensberg mountains in Lesotho, flowing westwards through South Africa to the Atlantic Ocean.

Richtersveld/Ai-Ais Transfrontier Park
Conjure up a desolate and forbidding landscape, seemingly devoid of life, except for some people dotting along the horizon. Make a startling discovery upon closer inspection when the mirage dissolves into the human-like half-mens (half person) and the harsh environment prove to be a treasure-chest containing the world’s richest desert flora.
 

Continue reading below
Karas Region - Kalahari & Keetmanshoop Area

Dinosaur Footprints & Mesosaurus Fossils
The Mesosaurus is probably one of the most convincing examples to prove the drifting of continents. The same genus in the same rock formations is to be found in both southern Africa and South America.

Giants Playground
Only a few minutes drive from the Quiver Tree Forest lies Giants Playground, a collection of granite boulders that leave the impression that someone has just stopped playing with them.

Graves of German Schutztruppe
Of historical significance are the graves of two German Schutztruppler who died in a battle between Namas and Germans in 1904. on farm Spitzkoppe-Ost.

Kalahari:
Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park via Mata Mata Border Post
Namibia's Karas Region borders South Africa's Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park in the east and following almost a decade of negotiations between both countries, the Mata Mata border post was re-opened in 2007.

Visitors to Namibia's south-east thus have the option once again to experience the beautiful landscapes and amazingly rich wildlife of the Kalahari on both sides of the border. A 2-night stay inside the Kgalagadi Park is required to do so.

More info on the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park can be found under:
South Africa Country Info.

Quiver Tree Forest
The quiver tree or “Kokerboom” is one of the most interesting and characteristic plants of the very hot and dry parts of Namibia and the northwestern part of the Cape Province in South Africa.

Continue with
Kavango Region

or read about places of interest in other Namibian Region by using

the quick links above