Mariental: A Sweltering Summer in the Desert
Mariental, Namibia, capital of the Hardap Region, is situated in the driest part of the country – Kalahari Desert. Ironically, water is the thriving in the area as it also houses the Fish River and is nearby the Hardap Dam. It was formerly known as Zara-gaebia, which when translated means dusty. Mariental’s current name is in honor of the wife of Hermann Brandt, the first colonial settler in the town.
Best Time to Visit
The sun is scathing the entire year in Mariental, Namibia given that it has a hot desert climate. It also almost never rains. It is ideal to visit the town in the middle of the year from months of May to August when it is relatively cooler than the rest of the months. You have yet to worry about overcrowding and overpriced Mariental hotels as not a lot of travelers have discovered this diamond in the rough.
What to Do & Area Attractions
Either start your day watching the sunrise or end it watching the sunset over at the ≥Kalahari Red Dunes. Then there is the Hardap Dam not only serves as a water reservoir but there are also various land and water recreational activities available for its visitors. You can also look at the first-ever church built in the town, Church of Mariental. It was built in the early 1920s and holds a lot of historical significance.
The Kalahari Red Dunes Lodge is the highest-rated and most recommended Mariental hotel. It is kid-friendly and has a swimming pool on site. Other great options that are also near the town center are Lapa Lange Game Lodge and Bagatelle Kalahari Game Ranch.