At the Hardap Dam, Hardap first comes into focus as a water-oriented destination, but its natural scenery extends beyond that. Hardap Game Reserve brings together water, open savanna and mountainous areas; activities also include hiking and wildlife viewing. This offers different ways to experience a visit, depending on whether water, landscape or wildlife is your main interest.
Water, savanna and mountainous areas
Hardap Game Reserve is located at the Hardap Dam on the Fish River. The dam covers an area of 25 km². The reserve includes open savanna and mountainous areas such as the Gemsbok Plateau. This means that a body of water and two different types of landscape sit side by side within the same reserve. Those exploring the area can therefore experience Hardap Game Reserve from different natural perspectives, rather than focusing solely on the dam.
Activities between water and land
Activities offered at Hardap Game Reserve include freshwater fishing, water sports and boat trips. On land, game drives and birdwatching add to the options; hiking trails are 9 km and 15 km long. The difference between the routes is 6 km, making the hiking options easy to compare. If distance is important when planning, you can start by choosing between the shorter and longer route. Water activities offer a different focus from walking, while birdwatching and game drives turn your attention to wildlife.
Birdlife and wildlife
A total of 284 bird species have been recorded in Hardap Game Reserve, including Bradfield’s Swift and Stark’s Lark. Bird enthusiasts can look out for these two species, which provide specific examples to watch for. Wildlife in the reserve includes, among others, Black Rhino, Kudu, Oryx, Hartmann’s Mountain Zebra, Springbok and Red Hartebeest. Birdwatching thus offers a different focus from a game drive, which highlights wild animals such as Kudu or Oryx. On a game drive, there is no guarantee which animals you will see.
Fishing competitions in Hardap
Fishing competitions for enthusiasts are held annually in Hardap. If you would like to combine your visit with a competition, check the specific date for your travel period in advance. This lets you distinguish between a general interest in freshwater fishing and a trip planned around a particular competition.
An accommodation option in the Hardap region
In Namibia, Lake Oanob Resort in the Hardap region offers chalets, rooms and campsites. Activities available to guests year-round include game drives, hiking, boat trips, canoeing, aqua cycling and swimming in outdoor pools or in the lake. These activities are for resort guests. The resort combines accommodation options and guest activities in one regional lodging offering, so you can also make your choice based on whether you would like to take part in these activities during your stay. Accommodation availability may change, so check for your travel dates.
Discover more destinations
Discover more destinations: Kub, Sesriem Canyon, Gochas, Mariental, Rietoog, Strampriet, Maltahöhe, Uhlenhorst, Hoachanas, Naukluft, Aranos
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