//Karas is Namibia’s vast, sparsely populated deep south, dominated by the Fish River Canyon — the second-largest canyon in the world — and the arid plains stretching toward the South African border. Campsites cluster around Keetmanshoop, Grünau and Karasburg, serving both canyon hikers and travellers looping between the Kalahari, the coast at Lüderitz, and the border crossing at Noordoewer.
Directions: On the C15, 14 km from the Mata-Mata border post (Namibia/South Africa), en route to the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park.
Amenities:
Directions: 5 km south of Grünau, the first farm after entering Namibia from the South African border.
Amenities:
Rate: Camping around N$80 pp per night (confirm current rate).
River Life Resort is a self-catering property on a farm about 1.7 km from Keetmanshoop town centre.
Note: Some sources indicate this business may no longer be operating – please confirm current status before planning a visit.
Amenities:
The campsites on the northern side ( nr 1-40) are situated closest to the outside pool have most of the shady trees
There are 4 Ablution Blocks, each with 2 showers and 3 toilets and washing basins (clean and in working order)
Guided Nature drives (N$650 pp) & Guided walks (N$300) can also be booked at the Office
The Camp offers an a la carte Restaurant, Outside Sitting Area and Bar; a special fountain offers drinking water
7 premier chalets are for families/groups and are equipped with en-suite bathroom and air-conditioning. The 3 bedrooms, have either a ¾ size, 2 x queen, or 1 x king-size bed in each room. The self-catering kitchen is equipped with a refrigerator, 2 plate stove, microwave oven, kettle, pots/pans and plates/cutlery. An added attraction of these Chalets, is that there are 2 verandahs, with both river and mountain views;
Activities: One can walk along the Fish River and swim in the Thermal Ais Ais pools; Kids can ride their bicycles in camp which has a lot of open space; the river bed also offers the perfect sand-box for kids and one can climb the surrounding rocky hills; Birding, Walking & Swimming; The ‘Thermal Pool” Building also offers a SPA section with Massages.
Directions: 85 km from Hobas and the entrance/view Point of the Fish River Canyon; The Camp is situated in the Ai-Ais / Richtersveld Transfrontier Park at the Southern end of the Fishriver Canyon
Bookings: :reservations@nwr.com.na
Amenities:
Directions: At the base of the extinct Brukkaros volcano. From the B1, turn onto the D3901 gravel road at Tses towards Berseba; after about 30 km a signpost directs you the remaining 8 km to camp.
Note: This is a community-run campsite that has reportedly fallen into disrepair in recent years – confirm current status before visiting.
Amenities (as previously operated):
Bring your own water, firewood and supplies.
Directions: Alte Kalköfen Lodge is located between Keetmanshoop and Lüderitz in southern Namibia, near Bethanie, a good base for visiting Fish River Canyon.
Activities: Visiting the Cole Lithoparium, Namibia’s most extensive registered Lithops (living stone) collection.
Amenities:
Bookings: Tel 063 683 415, email info@altekalkofen.com.
Directions: On the C14, 11 km from Helmeringhausen towards Bethanie, on a working sheep and goat farm en route to Fish River Canyon and Sossusvlei.
Activities: Dry-riverbed 4×4 driving with designated picnic spots.
Amenities:
Bookings: Tel +264 81 255 1535
Activities: Hiking Trails; Running Tracks; Farm Drives
Rate: N$ 150 per Adult per night; N$ 100 per Child /
Bookings: amiller@iway.na & +264 63 683314
Amenities:
Note: This is the Noordoewer border post connecting Namibia to South Africa (Vioolsdrift on the SA side) – a key crossing point on routes to/from Cape Town, not a campsite itself.
Open 24 hours a day.
Directions: Bethanie Hotel & Guesthouse is in the village of Bethanie, off the B4 onto the C14 route towards Swakopmund via Sossusvlei — a popular stopover between Sossusvlei and Fish River Canyon.
Amenities:
Bookings: Visit bethaniehotel.com.