Aus is a small desert town in the ʿʿKaras Region of southern Namibia, set among the Aus Mountains on the B4 between Lüderitz (about 125 km west) and Keetmanshoop (about 215 km east). For most travellers it is a memorable stopover rather than a final destination — a place to watch the famous wild horses, walk in stark mountain-desert scenery, and pick up the history of the First World War before continuing to the coast or inland. Opening times, rates and access can change, so confirm current details before you travel.
Why visit Aus
Aus rewards a slower pace: desert light, deep quiet, wild horses grazing the plains, and a landscape that occasionally sees winter frost or even a dusting of snow — a genuine rarity in Namibia. It makes a natural break on the long drive between Lüderitz and the rest of the south.
The wild horses of Garub
Aus’s best-known attraction is the herd of feral desert horses that roam the plains around Garub, roughly 20 km east of town. A viewing hide overlooks a waterhole where the horses often come to drink, especially in the dry months. Their exact origins are debated — most likely a mix of military and farm horses from the early twentieth century — and they have adapted remarkably to one of the harshest environments in the country. Sightings are never guaranteed, but the waterhole hide gives you the best chance.
Outdoor activities and scenery
The Klein-Aus Vista area, part of the Gondwana Sperrgebiet Rand Park, offers marked hiking trails and mountain-biking routes through granite hills and desert valleys. Trails range from short walks to multi-hour routes; carry plenty of water and start early. The scenery — pale grass, dark rock and huge skies — is as much the draw as the exercise.
History
Aus carries a poignant First World War history. After German forces surrendered in 1915, a prisoner-of-war camp was established just east of town, where German internees were held by South African troops; the site is now a national monument. The nearby Aus war cemetery includes graves from the 1918 Spanish-flu pandemic, and interpretive panels around town explain the story.
Getting there
Aus sits on the tarred B4, an easy drive from Lüderitz (about 125 km, 1.5 hours) or Keetmanshoop (about 215 km, 2.5 hours). Fuel and basic supplies are available in town, but stock up where you can — services are sparse in this part of the south.
Where to stay
Aus has a handful of lodges, guest accommodation and campsites in and around the town and the Klein-Aus Vista area. For a wider choice of southern-Namibia stays, browse the Lüderitz-area accommodation we track, or the full accommodation finder.
Where to stay at Aus
Aus has very little of its own — essentially the old station hotel in the village, plus the desert lodges out on the road towards Lüderitz. Live availability below covers the whole area between Aus and the coast.
Places to stay near Aus
Bahnhof Hotel Aus
Village hotel in Aus on the Lüderitz road, with breakfast included — the practical base for the Garub desert horses.
Price Guide: N$2,488
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The Lüderitz connection and onward routes
Aus is the natural gateway between the coast and the interior. West, the B4 runs to Lüderitz and the Kolmanskop ghost town; east it reaches Keetmanshoop and the quiver tree forest. From Aus many travellers head north via Helmeringhausen toward Sossusvlei, or south toward the Fish River Canyon.
Practical notes
Bring warm layers in winter (June–August), when nights can be very cold. Do not approach or feed the wild horses, and keep to marked tracks in the Sperrgebiet Rand Park. Distances and times are approximate — check current road conditions before you travel.
Related destinations
Explore more of the region on the Southern Namibia hub, or see how Aus fits into a wider route in our 14-day and 21-day Namibia itineraries.
This photograph provides destination context and does not depict a specific property.
For places to stay in the village, see our Southern Namibia accommodation listings, which include the Aus properties nearest the Garub desert horses.