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

Geologically it is a highly interesting area as well - in fact it is highly valuable in the true sense of the word. The Aus Mountains are part of the Great Escarpment which was formed after the primeval continent of Gondwana disintegrated about 120 million years ago: the rim of southern Africa rose and was then eroded off the coast. In the process the escarpment shifted into the interior and coastal plains appeared. The Orange River washed diamonds from the area around Kimberley to the coast, where they were picked up by the Benguela Current and carried northward. As the sea level dropped,

the deposits were exposed and the wind blew some of the gems inland – where in 1908 man started to discover and systematically mine them. Two Restricted Areas, each about 100 km wide, were proclaimed along the coast in order to prevent illegal prospecting and to curb the smuggling of diamonds.

Man, by the way, left his traces in this area as early as 70,000 years ago. At the foot of the Hunsberge Mountains south-east of Aus layers of a total of seven ‘cultures’ were discovered in the 'Apollo 11' grotto. Furthermore, slabs of slate with 27,000-year-old paintings were found there in 1969. So far this is the oldest rock art in Africa.

The area was roamed by hunter-gatherers for ages. In the 17th century Nama groups started to move in and displaced the San (Bushmen); the ‘newcomers’ were later joined by Orlam groups (related to the Nama) who settled around Bethanien.

In 1883 Orlam Captain (leader) Joseph Fredericks sold the coastal strip between the Gariep mouth and Angra Pequeña to Adolf Lüderitz, a merchant in Bremen – this was the prelude to the German colony proclaimed in 1884. At first the route for ox wagon transports went through Kubub, south of Aus. But the railway line was built through Aus in 1906 because the incline was not as steep. During the First World War South African and German forces clashed at Aus. Numerous horses were lost in the turmoil of war; they became the core herd from which today’s Wild Horses are descended. South African Apartheid policies (starting in the sixties) left their mark in Aus, as did the rise (sixties, seventies) and fall (eighties) of Karakul breeding. After Namibia gained independence in 1990, tourism increased considerably.

Willem Swiegers senior bought farm Klein-Aus in 1983. During the nineties his sons Willem and Piet introduced the hospitality business, established Klein-Aus Vista and step by step extended the accommodation facilities, hiking trails and tours. In early 2004 the oldest of the brothers, Johann, joined the family business. When they became marketing partners of Gondwana Collection Namibia in the end of 2004, the name of the 510 km² area was changed into Gondwana Sperrgebiet Rand Park.

Activities

Conservations

Map

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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.