Plizio Visual Lab
Aus
ℹ️Practical info — Aus
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🌤 Weather — 5 days
📍 Nearby
Sights nearby
💡 Tips
- Fuel up your vehicle whenever possible; gas stations are sparsely located in this arid region.
- Keep a safe distance if you spot the famous feral desert horses near the Garub pan, especially around sunset.
- Temperatures drop significantly at night due to the desert climate, so be sure to pack warm layers.
- Book your accommodation well in advance, as lodging options are very limited in this small settlement.
🍽 Food
Enjoy fresh game meat frequently served at the few local guest farm restaurants.
Pick up this traditional dried cured meat as a road trip snack at the local trading post.
Try this sweet South African milk tart occasionally available at the village cafe.
🛍 Shopping · 🧘 Quiet spots
The best spot for locally made crafts and books detailing the history of the region.
Stop here for essential supplies, snacks, and basic souvenirs before heading out.
A stark, silent historical site located just outside the village.
Pull over along the B4 highway to take in the sweeping, empty landscapes in total quiet.
Water temperature…
Aus is a historically significant settlement in southwestern Namibia, tucked away in the Aus Mountains at an elevation of 1,485 meters above sea level. Its name means 'Great Snake' in the Nama language, referring to the undulating topography of the surrounding terrain. Aus gained international recognition during World War I when South African forces established a major prisoner-of-war camp here for German soldiers, the remains of which are still a prominent historical site today. Geographically, Aus marks the critical transition zone between the arid Namib Desert and the high interior plateau, resulting in a climate that is notably cool and windy compared to much of Namibia. One of the most captivating features near Aus is the population of wild horses of the Namib, which can be observed at the Garub water point; their origins remain a subject of historical debate and local legend. Today, the small community serves as a vital stopover for travelers heading to Lüderitz or the Fish River Canyon. The town's architecture retains a distinct German colonial influence, while contemporary lodges and guest farms cater to the expanding tourism industry.
- Location: Namibia
- Top sights: Prisoner of War Camp · Kaiser-Wilhelm-Denkmal
- Nearby: Bethanie (90 km)
- Population: ~1.263 (2024)
Best time to visit & climate
The most pleasant time to visit is Apr, Oct, Nov.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg °C | 26 | 26 | 24 | 21 | 17 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 18 | 21 | 23 | 24 |
| Rain mm | 12 | 14 | 9 | 14 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 4 |
Geography
Facts
- Aus is located on the B4 highway, roughly 125 kilometers east of Lüderitz.
- The POW camp housed over 1,500 German prisoners between 1915 and 1919.
- Snowfall can occasionally occur in Aus during the winter months.
- The wild horses of Garub are the only desert-dwelling horses in Africa.
- The town was once a key railway station on the diamond route.
- The Aus Mountains reach peak elevations of up to 1,700 meters.
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
Sights in the town Aus (2)
Frequently asked questions
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