May 2025

Desert Horse Campsite & Namibian Wild Horses

After our morning visit to the ghost town Kolmanskop (read here), we returned to Lüderitz to do some shopping. For the next few days, we will not find big shops on our road trip and with a few camping nights ahead, we will have to prepare our own meals (just as we prefer, of course).

With the long and straight tar road from Lüderitz back to the small town of Aus, we were back on the road shortly after midday. We only had 126km/78 miles to drive to Klein-Aus Vista where we had booked a campsite for the night.

The road from Lüderitz to Aus

But before we got to our campsite, we wanted to stop at one more place. We hoped to see the Namibian Wild Horses again. Surely, we can’t be so lucky to see them two days in a row, we thought.

Namibian Wild Horses:

The area where the Wild Horses roam

We once again followed the signposts and dirt road leading to the viewpoint where one can see the Wild Horses.

Signposts for the Wild Horses

And indeed! There were even more horses than the previous day when we were there. This time we took fewer photos and just sat at the viewpoint and watched them.

Wild Horses at the watering hole

They were enjoying another lazy day

Wild horses walking towards us

As with our previous visit, there were a few horses lying in the sand. By the slow swaying of their tails, we could tell they were alive and probably just enjoying an afternoon nap.

Namibian Wild Horses

Our timing was perfect to see so many wild horses together – for two consecutive days. It was wonderful to sit among them at the lookout point – as if they were not even aware of us.

Klein-Aus Vista – Desert Horse Campsite:

About 6km/3.7 miles before we reached Aus, we found a turnoff that leads to Klein-Aus Vista where we booked a campsite with the fitting name of Desert Horse Campsite.

Welcome to Klein-Aus Vista

We first went to the reception to check in where we received our dedicated campsite number. It struck us once again how friendly and welcoming the people of Namibia are – we experienced this at every place we stayed during our weeklong journey through the south of Namibia.

A (not so real) wild horse in the garden at reception

Reception at Klein-Aus Vista

If you don’t want to camp, there are also alternative accommodations available such as chalets and a cabin. There is also a restaurant, bar, gift shop, and swimming pool. We drove to the campsite with ten sites nestled at the foot of the Aus mountains – it’s such a picturesque setting.

Desert Horse Campsite

We were very excited to test a new addition to our camping gear – a rooftop tent. It is much easier and quicker to set up a rooftop tent than a ground tent when you are camping in a different place every night.

Our new rooftop tent

We set up the solar panel to charge the battery which provided power to our camp fridge. We also use the battery to charge our camping lights and cell phones when electricity is not available.

The solar panel loved the Namibian sun

Our rooftop tent was set up within minutes. While enjoying a late afternoon snack, we sat back in our camping chairs and enjoyed the views over the Aus mountains.

Our campsite

Afternoon snack – orange and Landjäger sausage

View over the Aus mountains

Next to our campsite there was another vehicle with a rooftop tent. We saw this camping setup at most of the campsites we visited – it seems to be the preferred way of camping in Namibia.

Another rooftop tent at the campsite next to us

The ablution facilities are a short distance from the campsites and include flush toilets, hot showers, a dishwashing and laundry area.

Pathway to the ablution facilities

Dishwashing and laundry area

On the menu was lamb stew (‘potjie’) on the fire. It was such a lovely evening to sit next to the fire in this beautiful desert landscape.

Berto chopping wood for the fire

With the fire burning, we chopped the veggies for the stew and opened a cold (Namibian) beer – life was good.

Our first Nambian campfire

Prep area for dinner

Cold beers

We could now sit back and enjoy the beautiful sunset. The last bit of sun coloured the world around us in golden shades. For a moment, even the birds were quiet – it was such a serene moment.

Long shadows

Golden sunset

Last glimpses of daylight at Desert Horse Campsite

Just after the sun finally set, we could feel a drop in temperature. The desert can indeed be hot during the day, but it can also get very cold at night. It was time to put on our jackets and open a bottle of red wine.

Jackets on and red wine out

Our stew simmered slowly on the fire

With dinner ready, we went to eat by the warm fire. There was contentment in our hearts – we are wrapping up another good day in Namibia.

Lamb stew made on the fire

In our next post, we will drive to NamibRand Nature Reserve. But before we get there, we want to show you the incredibly beautiful road. If you want to see the stunning scenery on this road, click here.