Home / Namibia lodges / The Kalahari & the South
The region
Where to stay in the South
The Fish River Canyon is about 160 km long and up to about 550 m deep, the largest canyon in Africa. Further west, diamonds were found at Kolmanskop in 1908, and the last families left in 1956.
The south has low to no malaria risk. Near Aus, between 90 and 150 feral horses graze the Garub plains, and the Quiver Tree Forest outside Keetmanshoop has about 250 trees.
17 lodges & camps
The Lodges
The Kalahari
Red dunes and game ranches of the Kalahari.
Bagatelle Kalahari Game Ranch
Southern Kalahari
Malaria-free safari ranch
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Bagatelle Boutique Farmhouse
Bagatelle Kalahari Game Ranch
Boutique farmhouse with infinity pool
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Kalahari Red Dunes Lodge
8 km south of Kalkrand
11 suites in a Kalahari vlei
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Kalahari Anib Lodge
30 km north-east of Mariental
Gondwana Collection
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Zebra Kalahari Lodge & Spa
Intu Afrika Kalahari Game Reserve
13 rooms & spa
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Camelthorn Kalahari Lodge
Kalahari Desert
12 thatched chalets
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Eningu Kalahari Lodge
Near Dordabis
9-room clayhouse lodge
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Sandwerf
Near Dordabis
Farm retreat & bungalows
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Fish River Canyon
On the rim and on the road to the canyon.
Keetmanshoop
North-east of Keetmanshoop.
Aus & Lüderitz
The road west to the coast.
Southern Namib & Tiras Mountains
Remote lodges on the edge of the southern Namib.
Where the lodges are
The South on the Map
Gold outlines: the /Ai-/Ais Richtersveld Transfrontier Park and Tsau //Khaeb (Sperrgebiet) National Park. Tap a pin for the lodge.
Practical
Getting there
On the western rim of the canyon, not the eastern Hobas side, so don't take the C12. From Windhoek it is 498 km south on the B1 via Keetmanshoop, then gravel roads to the lodge.
For Fish River Lodge a high-clearance 4x4 is best. Sedans are not advisable from November to April, when rain can affect the roads.
Keetmanshoop to Lüderitz is 334 km on the B4.
274 km from Windhoek.
Seasons
When to go
Summer runs from October to April and winter from May to September. Mariental's record high is 44 °C.
Tap a month for the full Namibia weather guide.
On our itineraries
Safaris through the South
Before you go
Questions answered
Is the Fish River Canyon worth the detour?
It is about 160 km long and up to about 550 m deep, the largest canyon in Africa. Fish River Lodge sits on the western rim: from Windhoek it is 498 km south on the B1 via Keetmanshoop, then gravel roads.
Can I hike the Fish River Canyon?
Namibia Wildlife Resorts reopened the hiking trail on 17 July 2026, once river levels had dropped. Season dates vary from year to year.
Do I need a 4x4 for Fish River Lodge?
A high-clearance 4x4 is best. Sedans are not advisable from November to April, when rain can affect the roads. The lodge is on the western rim, not the eastern Hobas side, so don't take the C12.
Is there malaria in the south?
The south has low to no malaria risk.
Your night in the Kalahari
Let our experts choose the right lodges in the Kalahari & the South for your Namibia journey.
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