Aus

Aus is a town in the ǁKaras region of southern Namibia.

The town is at the approximate tripoint of three biomes: the Southern Namib desert, the Nama Karoo, and the Succulent Karoo. If the area gets winter rain the wildflower bloom is a spectacle that warrants a visit: Just like in the Karoo in South Africa, barren lands suddenly come alive for a few weeks in August and the landscape is covered with blooming wild flowers.

Get in
The settlement is situated on the B4, 230 km west of Keetmanshoop and 125 km east of Lüderitz.

See

 * There are some Commonwealth war graves that can be visited in Aus. The site is signposted from the B4.
 * The wildflower bloom happens in the early weeks of August if there was winter rain in the months before. This does not happen every year. You can phone the Klein-Aus Vista reception below to find out.

Feral Horses
At Garub, about 20 km west of Aus on the B4, there is a water point for the wild horses of the Namib, with a shaded observation shack for visitors. No entrance fee, no permit required. Also ostriches and oryx frequent this water hole.

These desert horses are eccentric in their adaptation to desert conditions. For example, they are smaller than conventional horses, can go without water for days at a time and urinate less than conventional horses. Several theories abound as to their heritage. Some say that they are remnants of the German Imperial Army abandoned during World War I. Others speculate that they are descendants from a shipwreck cargo.

After many years of drought in the 2010s they are on the brink of extinction; even from the dedicated observation point near the Garub railway station you now need luck to spot any. The population was between 150 and 200; it is unclear how many are left.

Buy
Aus features a petrol station and several small shops and eateries.

Go next

 * Keetmanshoop
 * Lüderitz