Along the road between Aus and Sesriem, you should spend a night at the Namtib Biosphere Reserve. The campsite is nested in the mountains with a stunning view on the plains below and the Namib desert in the background. 

No light pollution here, which makes for an ideal location for night photography...

Can you spot the Southern Cross in there??

Kolmanskop is a mining ghost town abandoned in the 60s situated about 10km before reaching Lüderitz. The desert sand is now reclaiming the buildings...

Visits are only possible in the morning. It is a photographer's paradise and plan to spend at least 2h there.

Lüderitz is well known to be windy and it is not an understatement! The wind was really strong when we were there, but apparently it was just a normal day judging by what the locals told me!!

The drive from Aus is stunning, crossing vast plains with mountains in the background and finishing in the first of the coastal Namib dunes before reaching Lüderitz. And of course, you can stop at the Garub waterhole to watch the desert horses.

Garub train station...

In Lüdertiz, you can chose to camp on Shark Island and enjoy a windy night by the Atlantic with views on the Namib sand sea. The campsites offer a relative protection from the wind. If camping in tough conditions is not your think, then simply pick from one of the numerous guesthouses in town.

Sunset over Lüdertiz rooftops

Typical architecture in Lüderitz

When visiting Lüderitz, I strongly recommend a drive to Diaz point and in its vicinity. Might be no need to go all the way down to Grosse Butch even thought it's quite a nice drive.

The lighthouse area with the abandoned building at Diaz point is really fun to visit and te drive along the coast takes you to stunning areas.

Diaz point

View over the ocean and the Namib from Diaz Point

From inside an abandoned house in Diaz Point( HDR)

Salt lakes along the way to Diaz Point

The campsite of Kokerbloomkloof is located in the mountains close to the Tatasberg mountain range. They are 2 view points on the way to camp, and they are both more than worth a visit as they offer breathtaking views on the surroundings.

View point in the Tatasberg

To reach the camp, you go up a pass and as you go down on the other side, you discover dozens of Kokerbloom ie Quiver trees interspersed among huge orange sandstone boulders! They are 8 sites to camp, each with its own ablution block and running water (not drinkable). This place is simply a paradise for landscape photographers and klipspringers!

Yeah, I LOVE quiver trees...

Moody skies over the campsite

Ok so it was my first time in the Richtersveld and after having heard soooo much about it, I was very impatient to discover it for myself. And let me tell you, it is a truly amazing place!

So the Richtersveld is the South African part of the |Ai-|Ais-Richterveld Tranfrontier Park that continues North in Namibia to include the Fish River Canyon NP. The border is marked by the Orange river. The park is covered by mountains and plains in between and offer stunning landscapes. They are camps along the Orange river (avoid Potjiespram) where you can pitch your tent right on the banks and have a swim in the Orange! Another camp, Kokerbloomkloof, is located in the mountains, surrounded by quiver trees and fields of large boulders, but see the dedicated article for more details.

It is necessary to have a 4X4 vehicle with high ground clearance to drive in the Park. The  roads are not particularly technical though, just drive slowly and carefully.

I can but highly recommend a visit of the park, plan at least 3 nights as distances might not be great but you won't drive fast either...

Driving along in the Richtersveld...

On the other side of the pass

Sunset at De Hoop campsite overlooking the Orange River. On the other side, it's Namibia!

De Hoop...

The full moon rises and illuminates the cliffs over De Hoop

The Orange River at Potjiespram (not visible from the campsites)

Herd of sheep at Potjiespram