Desert Horse Inn

Namibia Coast

Rating: Modest

highlights

Owner-run with great service and hospitality.
Home cooked, delicious meals.
Beautiful scenery.
Good base for visiting Luderitz and Kolmanskop.

Desert Horse Inn overview

The Desert Horse Inn is owner-run and you will be made to feel welcome and at home from the moment you arrive. The inn has the luxury of a beautiful semi-desert setting on the Klein Aus Vista Reserve with a backdrop of stunning mountains and hills, it shares the reserve with sister property Eagle's Nest which is about 15km away. Being just 2km west of Aus, many people use this as a base for visiting Luderitz and the ghost town of Kolmanskop.

The inn has 24 rooms in total. Four are in the original farmhouse and the other 20 are in purpose built, newer chalets. The farmhouse rooms have individual entrances and share the veranda in front. The rooms in the newer buildings, which are to the side of the main building, are spacious, clean and cosy. All are en-suite with hot running water. The decor is simple, tasteful and comfortable.

The main building, built from wood, houses the reception, cosy lounge and small gift shop stocked with local crafts. Up on the first floor is a well-stocked bar and the restaurant. Meals can also be taken on the veranda where you can enjoy your food with beautiful panoramic views. There is also a small horseshoe shaped pool providing the opportunity for a welcome cooling dip.

While staying at the Desert Horse Inn you can opt to explore the area yourself or you can join one of the scenic drives around the reserve, a sundowner excursion is popular and you will stop at a perfect spot to enjoy a drink and watch the sun sink below the horizon and light the sky with spectacular hues of orange, pink and purple. It's a great place to observe the wild horses for which the area is known, the Garub waterhole, where they often come drink, is 20km away.

details

Open: The Desert Horse Inn is open all year.

Location: 2km west of Aus, and about 120km east of Luderitz.

Rooms: There is a total of 24 rooms, 4 in the main farmhouse and the others in purpose built brick chalets. All have en-suite facilities and are spacious and simply, but tastefully decorated.

Activities: You can explore the area on foot and there are several trails to follow or you could opt for a scenic drive through the reserve and sundowner. Or you can simply relax and take in the beautiful surroundings.

Facilities: The Desert Horse Inn has a cosy lounge with a fire and comfy chairs, a small curio shop stocking locally made handicrafts, on the first floor you will find a veranda with sweeping views of the area, the restaurant and a small and friendly bar area, well stocked with cold beers and wine. There is also a small pool and lounging area.

Dining: Buffet style wholesome meals are served at individual tables, indoors or outdoors as you prefer.

Children: Children of all ages are welcome.

Health: This is a very low risk malaria area.

Communication: There is a telephone which guests can use, the internet here is sporadic at best.

Notes: The hotel accepts visa and mastercard and cash in Namibian dollars or South African Rand.

AMANDA