Aus: Orientation and railway route
In 2006, a tourist information centre opened at the entrance to Aus. It was developed by the Aus Community Conservation Trust with support from the Ministry of Environment and Tourism, the European Union and the Namibia Nature Foundation. The westbound railway connection from Keetmanshoop to the coastal town of LĂĽderitz runs via Aus. This means two distinct points of reference come together here: the creation of a tourist centre and a connection on a regional railway route. If you would like to use the centre to plan your trip, check in advance whether a visit is possible.
Hiking trails and desert art nearby
The Klein-Aus Vista hiking trails are located near Aus. The trails are marked with different-coloured arrows; each trailhead has an information kiosk with detailed maps and information about the routes, as well as designated parking. Several trailheads are available. Before setting out, check the latest information about trails and trailheads if markings or facilities are important for your plans. There are two distinct options to choose from: marked hiking trails with maps, or a single large-scale stone motif.
On the desert plains of the Klein-Aus Vista Farm in southwestern Namibia is a 80 × 140-metre galloping horse made of stone. The installation is dedicated to Namibia’s population of wild horses, which has existed for a hundred years. The dimensions give the motif a clearly defined size, while the dedication connects it to the wild horses. As a landscape feature, it offers a different focus from the marked hiking trails. For travellers interested in this combination of large-scale design and dedication, it is a distinct point of interest near Aus.
Garub: Wild horses and railway history
Garub is also located near Aus. There, wild horses can be observed from a viewing shelter at the water point; sightings are not guaranteed. Water troughs and the ruins of the old railway station also form part of modern-day Garub. The old station is on the road between Aus and Lüderitz in southern Namibia and is a historic testament to the region’s past. Garub therefore brings together two distinct themes: wildlife watching and railway history.
Karas as a wider regional setting
For a broader look at the Karas destination, other landscape and history topics come into view. The 55-metre-high rock formation Bogenfels is located in Tsau //Khaeb National Park. Following the discovery of a diamond in Kolmanskop near LĂĽderitz by railway worker Zacharias Lewala, most of the park remained untouched and closed to the public for almost a century from 1908. The Fish River Canyon defines the eastern part of the /Ai-/Ais Hot Springs Game Park. Bogenfels is a single rock formation with a specific stated height, while the canyon defines the landscape of a particular part of the park: two distinct regional points of reference within Karas.
Discover more destinations: Kanebis, Noordoewer, Seeheim, Bethanie, Beenbreek, Karasburg, Stamprivier, LĂĽderitz
For the broader travel overview: Karas.
