With its vast surface area of 25 sq. km the Hardap Dam is a most impressive sight in the surrounding arid landscape and widely separated towns of southern Namibia.

So if you want to go hiking, or to sleep out in a volcano, or just to get off the common routes – then this southern side of the country is the perfect area to.

With many inlets and small islands this man-made lake provides a safe breeding place for a large variety of birds, including goliath herons, reed cormorants, flamingos, fish eagles and ospreys.

At the lake's western bank lies a small nature and game reserve of 20000 hectares. Here, one can go for scenic walks or drives. The resort supports many different species of antelope like springbok, oryx and kudu, as well as ostriches, mountain zebras and black rhinos.

At the eastern bank lies a state-owned rest camp with chalets, a restaurant, a swimming pool and campground.

Mariental is the capital of the Hardap Region. It ’s name originated from the area’s first colonial settler, Herman Brandt, who named it Marie’s Valley, after his wife.

As this area of Namibia receives very little rain, traditional farming techniques are being abandoned and farming is moving towards game farming. Mariental is also the centre of Namibia's ostrich farming industry as these birds cope well with the arid conditions.

Gibeon is the settlement area of the Witbooi-Oorlam. One of their leaders was the legendary Hendrik Witbooi, who fought against German colonial rule and was killed in action in 1905. He is depicted on Namibia’s banknotes.

The little town of Gibeon became world famous for its meteorite shower. Some of the pieces, an iron-nickel mix, can be seen in museums all over the world.

En route to the small settlement of Berseba is the Brukkaros Mountain. The crater of the Brukkaros massif looks like an extinct volcano. Brukkaros can be ascended from the southern rim of the crater.