Unplanned Gin Tasting on our way to Luderitz
On our further drive back over the old Naute Dam, we already passed the Namibian distillery “Naute Kristall” on the way to the Canyon Roadhouse. Since we were leisurely drifting on our honeymoon, we spontaneously decided to make a stop. A wonderful choice! Katrin and Michael, the two owners of the distillery, lovingly explained everything to us, let us taste their 6 delicious drinks, let us explore their distillery live and in color. After it was clear that our next destination would be their customer, we were asked to take and deliver 4 cases. Since the last of the spirits was still busy being bottled, we were unceremoniously served a small midday snack. When this was eaten, the bottles were also packed and could go with us on the further travels direction Luderitz.
On the trail of the past
In the next part of our honeymoon, we traveled further west towards Luderitz and its surroundings. In this area, the traces of the German colonial period can still be seen in many places. Here our starting point should be the Klein Aus Vista Lodge, which is located a good 100km before Luderitz on the edge of the Huib plateau. From here you can make very good day trips to all the different sights in the area and relax in the evening in a quiet and cozy atmosphere from the daily experiences.
Klein Aus Vista – Nature and Railway
Klein Aus Vista is a very pretty and lovingly designed lodge that offers self-catering units as well as completely secluded camping options, called Ghost Gulch and Desert Horse Campsite. We opted for a self-catering unit near the main building for electricity reasons (our fridge had a problem). Sunna discovered her passion for diesel locomotives on this trip. Fortunately, the railroad line runs along the way to Lüderitz, so we had enough opportunity for nice pictures, videos and “tut-tuut” during the following days.
Wild horses of Garub
Barely 20km away from Klein Aus Vista you can find a watering place for the Namibian wild horses or desert horses in Garub, which live on the edge of the Namib in southwestern Namibia. About their origin is still puzzled after many decades. They could be remnants of the domestic horses of the German Schutztruppen, but just as well descendants of released horses from the breeding of Duwisib. Still others believe to this day that the wild horses once escaped from a German baron’s ship stranded in the Orange estuary. Officially, they are believed to have come from the Kubub horse farm, once owned by Emil Kreplin. Be that as it may, the animals look quite wild, are quite accustomed to the tourist and are happy to join him at the shelter, as it provides pleasant shade.
Diamond ghost town Kolmanskop near Luderitz
If one drives from the wild horses still approx. 80km further in the direction of Luderitz, one meets here the former diamond city Kolmanskop. Today it is a pure ghost town, which the sand of the Namib makes more and more its own. Here you can book tours in the morning (and only then!) and walk around the town for quite a small fee and explore all the houses at your own risk. If you arrive shortly before 1 p.m., as we did, then you have to pay three times the price, but you can roam the grounds alone until sunset and take pictures of everything to your heart’s content. The only drawback is that you don’t get to see the inside of the few restored buildings – which is a shame, at least in the case of the casino with its ancient bowling alley.
Luderitz – Ocean and Art Nouveau
The city is situated on shiny black rocks slightly elevated above the Atlantic Ocean. Wherever the eye looks, Art Nouveau villas in soft pastel colors greet you almost everywhere. A walk through the city is done rather quickly. Especially the harbor area is very pretty and newly laid out – a little strolling is worthwhile here.
On the tour of the city you should not miss in any case the building of the railroad station and Goerke House. And in any case go to the end of the city to the Protestant rock church. From here you have a beautiful view of the bay.
In terms of excursions around the city, we can recommend Agate Beach from our honeymoon in any case, which is reached in about 15 minutes by car. Here there are walled barbecue areas, so that a cozy afternoon or evening on the beach can always be delicious. We were lucky once again – and had the entire beach to ourselves. Another nice corner is Diaz Point, where you can find a replica of the stone cross of the Portuguese Bartolomeu Diaz. On his search for the southernmost point of Africa, he had to seek shelter in Luderitz Bay during raging storms. It is an impressive drive there, the surroundings, the camping site and especially the view of the Atlantic Ocean. With luck you can even see flamingos – we were lucky!
More posts related to the safari honeymoon
The great safari honeymoon to Namibia
Flying during COVID
Windhoek – the first week of the trip
Let’s go to the Kalahari Desert!
Quiver trees, rock formations and unknown fossils
Fish River Canyon – still with water
Luderitz and Sperrgebiet – Gin, Diamonds and Ghosts
Unplanned stopover – Namibian gem
Water in the Namib – Sesriem and Sossusvlei
Swakopmund and surroundings
Warmquelle – refreshment at the Ongongo waterfall
A week in Etosha National Park
Kwando River – maximum relaxation in the Caprivi
Okavango River – Lizards and gray giants in the water
San People – Experience traditions and pure nature
Harnas – Orphanage for wild animals
