Aus: Railway Route, Wild Horses and Trails

Discover Aus through its distinctive travel and historical traces: the westbound railway connection from Keetmanshoop to the coastal town of Lüderitz passes through the town. There are also hiking trails and special places in the surrounding area. When planning a trip, the focus is therefore not only on choosing a destination, but also on what experiences you are looking for in Aus and its surroundings.

Railway and tourism development in Aus

The railway connection from Keetmanshoop to Lüderitz gives Aus a firm place on a westbound route between the interior and the coast. A tourist information centre opened at the town entrance in 2006. 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 combination of a transport route and local tourism development brings two distinct aspects of the town’s history into view.

Hiking trails and horses in the surrounding area

At Klein-Aus Vista, in the surrounding area of Aus, hiking trails are a key attraction. The trails are marked with arrows in different colours. There is an information kiosk at each trailhead, with detailed maps and information about the trails, as well as designated parking; several trailheads are available. These orientation points help you adapt your hiking plans to the particular trail and its starting point.

On the desert plains of Klein-Aus Vista Farm in southwestern Namibia lies another striking sight: a galloping horse made of stone, measuring 80 × 140 metres. It was created to honour Namibia’s population of wild horses, which has been present for a hundred years. The scale of the figure makes it a very different experience from hiking on the marked trails.

Garub is also in the surrounding area and brings railway history together with wildlife observation. The old Garub railway station lies on the road between Aus and Lüderitz and is a historic reminder of the region’s past. At Garub, wild horses can be observed at the watering point from a viewing shelter. Water troughs and the ruins of the old railway station are also part of Garub’s modern character. Nature observation and visible traces of the railway’s past thus stand side by side; wildlife sightings are not guaranteed.

Karas: wider landscapes and history

Beyond Aus, the wider travel destination of Karas offers further landscape and historical themes. A concession offers a day tour from Lüderitz to Pomona Ghost Town and the Bogenfels rock arch. If you are planning this tour, check in advance which dates are available and what access conditions apply. Bogenfels is in Tsau //Khaeb National Park and is 55 metres high.

The park’s history also shapes this part of Karas. Since 1908, after a diamond was discovered at Kolmanskop near Lüderitz by railway worker Zacharias Lewala, most of the park remained untouched and closed to the public for almost a century. In the eastern part of the /Ai-/Ais Hot Springs Game Park, the Fish River Canyon defines the landscape. These broader themes complement the places and experiences around Aus without conflating them with the town itself.

Choose accommodation based on your planned experiences

When looking for a holiday apartment, you can first consider whether Aus and nearby experiences at Klein-Aus Vista and Garub should be the focus. If you are especially interested in the trails and observing horses, you can take these themes into account when choosing where to stay. If, instead, the day tour to Pomona Ghost Town and Bogenfels is your priority, Lüderitz is the stated departure point; include it in your plans. Aus lies on the westbound railway connection from Keetmanshoop to Lüderitz.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Keetmanshoop, Karasburg, Beenbreek, Lüderitz, Ariamab, Koës, Simplon and Grünau.

To the main travel overview: Karas.