Aus is a small settlement on the B4 between Keetmanshoop and Lüderitz, at the point where the road climbs into the Aus Mountains before dropping into the sand and gravel of the Sperrgebiet. It is one of the coldest places in Namibia in winter — snow has fallen here — and one of the most striking stretches of the southern drive.
Bahnhof Hotel Aus is the village hotel, a couple of hundred metres from the centre of what is a very small settlement. It is the most substantial accommodation actually in Aus, and rates include breakfast — worth having, because there is essentially nowhere else to eat before Lüderitz.
The reason most travellers stop is the feral desert horses of the Namib. The herd waters at the Garub borehole about 20 km west of the village, where a viewing hide sits a short walk from the road; early morning and late afternoon are the reliable times. Aus also carries the remains of a First World War internment camp, marked and interpreted just outside the settlement.
The hotel makes a better base than Lüderitz itself for the horses, since Garub lies east of the coast and going out at first light from Aus is a twenty-minute drive rather than an hour and a half. Many travellers stay a night here on the way out and skip the return leg entirely.
Practical notes: Aus has fuel but limited supplies, so restock in Keetmanshoop. The B4 is tarred the whole way to Lüderitz, but wind-blown sand across the road west of Aus is common and can be serious — drive it in daylight.
As a price guide, the lead-in twin, double or family room for two adults on a bed-and-breakfast basis sits at around N$2,488 per night including taxes. Use the link below for live availability and today’s price on Booking.com.
Check current availability for Bahnhof Hotel Aus on Booking.com.
