THE WORD SPERRGEBIET MEANS RESTRICTED AREA - most of this region is closed to the public due to the diamond mining that takes place here. It was declared a restricted area in 1908.

This forbidden territory has a spectacular landscape ranging from rocky outcrops to pure Namib desert. The sand dunes are bordered to the west by the cold, cruel Atlantic Ocean. Like the Skeleton Coast further north, this wild coastline is also a graveyard to many shipwrecks.

Bogenfels, Pomona and Elizabeth Bay are mining ghost towns and day trips are offered from Lüderitz to Bogenfels and Pomona. Various concession holders offer guided 4x4 tours into the desert. Most of them operate from Lüderitz and the adventures are undertaken in the dunes between Oranjemund and Lüderitz.

Oranjemund sits sandwiched between the South African border on the one side (the Orange River) and the Sperrgebiet on the other. Formerly a fully-fledged mining town run by the Namdeb Mining Company, Oranjemund was recently proclaimed a public municipality. With oryx wandering through its neatly-kept streets, this has always been a friendly town for those lucky enough to visit. The end of access restrictions will surely see many travellers passing through here in order to avail themselves of these quaint charms.

The changes discussed in the paragraph above also mean that the Oranjemund border post is open to the public, as is the excellent road between Oranjemund and Rosh Pinah.

The Sperrgebiet was proclaimed a National Park in 2009. It’s home to a wealth of endemic succulent plant species and is one of the world’s top 25 Biodiversity Hotspots. Because the area has been off limits to the public for so long, the habitat has been left largely untouched, making a visit to the park a truly unique wilderness experience.

Unfortunately, you cannot travel the area at whim; you may only explore it with one of the concessionaires who have permits from the Ministry of Environment and Tourism. These tour operators are based in Lüderitz.

MAJOR ATTRACTIONS:
Pomona, Bogenfels and Elizabeth Bay are fascinating diamond mining ghost towns.

The magnificent Bogenfels Arch Rock is a 55 meter high rock arch with one foot of the arch in the Atlantic Ocean and the other in the sand of the Namib Desert.

Petrol costs are from R8.99 to R9.79 per litre. (25-Aug-11).

Take note: Garage or Petrol cards will no longer be accepted as a legal tender for purchase of fuel, spares or repairs in Namibia. Cash, Debit and Credit cards are legal payment instruments, but many fuel stations choose NOT to accept Debit and/or Credit cards.

Therefore you are advised to either carry cash or ensure that the filling stations you intend to use will accept your Debit or Credit card. (Feb-2014).

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