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Arandis
ℹ️Practical info — Arandis
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🌤 Weather — 5 days
📍 Nearby
Sights nearby
💡 Tips
- Arandis is known as the 'Uranium Capital' and is primarily a mining town; tourist facilities are very limited, so stock up on supplies beforehand.
- The desert climate means scorching hot days and very chilly nights; make sure to pack layers of clothing.
- If driving here from Swakopmund, ensure your vehicle is in good condition, as the desert road can be long and desolate.
- Water is an extremely precious resource here in the desert; use it sparingly and always keep extra drinking water in your car.
- The local service station is the town's main gathering point; stop here to buy snacks or ask for directions.
🍽 Food
Traditionally grilled meat that you can sometimes find at informal braai (barbecue) stands in town.
Dried and spiced cured meat that makes the excellent snack for desert drives; pick it up at the local supermarket.
Deep-fried dough bread that is sometimes offered in the local small bakeries or takeaway spots.
🛍 Shopping · 🧘 Quiet spots
The local supermarket is the main place to stock up on groceries, water, and snacks for your onward journey.
Occasionally, locals sell interesting stones and minerals from the surrounding desert by the roadside.
Walk (safely, during the day) to the edge of the town grid to feel the absolute silence and vastness of the desert.
A small, modest park within the town that provides a rare shaded and peaceful spot.
Water temperature…
Arandis is located in the Erongo Region of Namibia and was established in 1978 by Rössing Uranium Limited to house workers from the nearby uranium mine. Originally a closed company town, it was handed over to the Namibian government in 1994 following the country's independence. Geographically, Arandis is situated in the heart of the Namib Desert, characterized by extreme aridity and vast, treeless plains. Despite the harsh environment, the town has successfully branded itself as an educational hub, most notably housing the Namibia Institute of Mining and Technology (NIMT). The local economy remains intertwined with the mining sector, although efforts are being made to diversify through renewable energy projects, such as solar power plants. Arandis features its own airfield and is strategically located along the railway and national road connecting Windhoek to the coast. The town stands as a testament to the industrial heritage and urban planning of 20th-century Namibia.
- Location: Namibia
- Nearby: Swakopmund (56 km)
- Population: ~6.127 (2024)
Geography
Facts
- Founded in 1978 for Rössing Uranium mine workers
- Home to the Namibia Institute of Mining and Technology (NIMT)
- Located about 60 km inland from Swakopmund
- Granted municipal status in 1994
- Features its own airfield for light aircraft
- Known as the 'Uranium Capital' of the world during the 1980s
Explore nearby
Notable places around
Route planner — Car & Motorhome
Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.
© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService
Frequently asked questions
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Arandis: where is it located?
Arandis: why is it worth visiting?
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