Namibia

Mariental

Sometimes a place is above all exactly what you need along the way. Mariental is such a stop. Refuel, pick up supplies and then continue towards your campsite or lodge in the Kalahari.

View trips from the region

Discover everything about this location.

A stop along the way with a story of its own.

Mariental is a small town in the Hardap district with around 14,000 inhabitants. Many travellers use the town as a stop during a journey through Namibia.

The name goes back to the German founder Herman Brandt. In 1912 he named the valley after his wife Marie. The inhabitants descend from the Nama people, known for their click language.

In Mariental itself your schedule does not need to be full. The town is mainly practical. You refuel, pick up supplies and then continue your route towards the Kalahari.

Water in a dry landscape.

The Hardap Dam lies close to Mariental. The reservoir has a capacity of 300 million m³ and is the largest in Namibia. Because of the dry climate, that maximum capacity is almost never reached.

Water from the dam is supplied in a controlled way to agriculture in and around Mariental. Combined with the abundant sunlight, this makes it possible to grow various crops.

Anyone stopping here in summer may face high temperatures. In winter it can get very cold.

View trips from the region

This makes Mariental a logical stop.

  • Refuel and pick up supplies before driving on towards the Kalahari.
  • Visit the Hardap Dam close to town.
  • Mariental lies in the Hardap district.
  • The town has around 14,000 inhabitants.
  • The Hardap Dam has a capacity of 300 million m³.
  • Water from the dam supports agriculture in and around Mariental.
  • Take into account high temperatures in summer and cold conditions in winter.

Self-drive trips in the region

Namibia
Namibië Self Drive 14 Dagen - Lodge only
14
days
from
1240
1240
p.p.
Red sand dunes stretching as far as the eye can see. Rugged rock formations rising from the desert. And elephants gathering to drink at a waterhole in Etosha. On this self-drive journey, you discover just how varied Namibia can be. You travel along endless gravel roads in your 4x4, explore rugged Damaraland and spend three days on self-drive safaris. And after a day of adventure? A comfortable bed awaits at your lodge or B&B. It's a chance to experience Namibia up close, without having to camp.
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Namibia
Botswana
Zimbabwe
Namibia, Botswana and Victoria Falls self drive
19
days
from
1990
1990
p.p.
The sun rises over the dunes of Sossusvlei. An elephant appears at a waterhole in Etosha. And further along, the lush landscapes of the Okavango and Chobe await. Over these nineteen days, you travel through three countries, with the freedom to make your own choices along the way. You camp in remarkable places, swap gravel roads for 4x4 tracks and finish with two nights at Victoria Falls. The final stretch? You can leave the driving to someone else.
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Namibia
Botswana
Zimbabwe
Windhoek - Victoria Falls self-drive
19
days
from
1990
1990
p.p.
A lion beside the track. An elephant slowly crossing your path. And at night, the sounds of the bush, right beside your rooftop tent. On this self-drive journey, you travel from Namibia's desert landscapes to Botswana's national parks, where the adventure takes on a new dimension. For four days, you venture deep into the wilderness, tackling rugged sandy tracks and staying at unfenced campsites. Your journey ends at Victoria Falls. You return your 4x4 in Kasane and leave the final stretch to someone else.
More information