Park

Naute is one of Namibia’s largest man-made lakes. Its shoreline, abutting long stretches of rocky plains and intricate sections of small bays, is very attractive The dam location on the Löwen River was already identified by German engineers over a century ago, yet construction of the reservoir only took place 70 years later. The dam was created as a reliable source of water for the nearby town of Keetmanshoop, and to enable an agricultural scheme adjacent to the reservoir.

The lake creates an ideal focal point for a game park, although this was only proclaimed just prior to independence. Thirty years on, its tourism potential remains untapped, overlooked in the vastness of the ‘forgotten South’. Discussions around a tourism concession with the neighbouring !Gawachab Conservancy may gain momentum in the future. For now, Naute is still worth a brief stop-over visit while travelling between Keetmanshoop and the Fish River Canyon.

Travel Tips

WHEN TO BE THERE:

Visitor access is restricted to the recreation area; this is open all year
Day temperatures can be very hot during summer
Fishing competitions are held intermittently & the recreation area is a weekend retreat for locals
The game park is currently not open to visitors

WHAT TO DO:

Stop at the lake for a refreshing break on your travels
Enjoy a short walk & some good birding
Do a spot fishing along the shore
Visit the nearby agricultural scheme

WHAT TO REMEMBER:

Access is restricted to the small recreation area
A permit is required for fishing, obtainable at the Karas Regional Council in Keetmanshoop
There are no amenities at the dam
Do not litter, take all rubbish with you

History

Those with an interest in geology will get their money’s worth. The huge Kalahari basin with its great masses of sediments started to form after the ancient continent of Gondwana had broken apart about 120 million years ago. The longitudinal dunes, which are hundreds of kilometres long and up to 30 metres high, began to take shape only 16,000 to 20,000 years ago, however. In nearby Stampriet it can be seen, by the way, how rich in ground water the Kalahari is: in the seasonal Auob River’s valley it bubbles up in several artesian springs.

Where there is water, there is man, too. Hunters and gatherers roamed the area already thousands of years ago. Around the 16th century Nama of the 'Red Nation' came to settle there; Hoachanas was regarded as the main seat. Later on groups of Oorlam (related to the Nama) arrived from the south. Hendrik Witbooi, the Captain (leader) of the Witbooi Nama, sold tracts of land – including the area of today’s park – to settlers of European origin towards the end of the 19th century.

In 1937 a German prince, Friedrich Hermann zu Solms-Baruth, bought farm Dabib, which was almost 50,000 ha (500 km²) in size, and installed a manager for the time being. When, as an antagonist of Hitler, he lost all his possessions during the Second World War he came to live at Dabib with his family in 1948. He was buried at his favourite spot at 'Solmscher Posten'. His son Friedrich Wilhelm later sold parts of Dabib, including a piece of 10,000 ha (100 km²) called Anib, which continued to be used for sheep farming; in 1992 it also became a guest farm.

Gondwana Collection Namibia acquired farm Anib in December 2004 and transformed it into Gondwana Kalahari Park: sheep farming was ended, internal fences were dismantled and watering places suitable for game were set up so that the animals are once again able to move about freely. On scenic drives guests of the park get totally enthusiastic about the abundance of game – and they always wonder about the cross at 'Solmscher Posten'...

Activities

Conservations

Map

-24.43000 18.10083

Naute Game Park

In a way itâ€™s refreshing when a wonderful little sanctuary remains beyond our hunger for leisure destinations. While Nauteâ€™s tourism potential remains unrealised, the game park does fulfil its conservation function.