Mariental on the Fish River

Mariental on the Fish River

Mariental lies on the banks of the Fish River. The Hardap Dam and Hardap Game Reserve are nearby; the reserve is around 24 km from Mariental. If you are looking for a hotel in Mariental, you can consider its location on the river separately from your interest in destinations in Hardap. This makes it clear what characterizes the town itself and which nature and leisure activities belong to the surrounding area.

Hardap Dam and landscape

The Hardap Dam, near Mariental, was completed in 1963. Its capacity is 320 million m³ and its area is 25 km². These figures describe different measures: capacity is a volume, while the second figure is an area. A breeding colony of pink pelicans is found at the Hardap Dam and in its surroundings. Hardap Game Reserve lies on the Hardap Dam along the Fish River. The reserve’s landscape includes open savannah and mountainous areas such as the Gemsbok Plateau. The waterside setting at the dam and the open and mountainous landscapes in the reserve give Hardap a range of natural features.

Activities and trails

Hardap Game Reserve offers freshwater fishing, water sports and boating, as well as game drives and birdwatching. There are hiking trails of 9 km and 15 km. The 6 km difference gives you a clear choice of distance: the 9 km trail is the shorter option, and the 15 km trail is the longer one. When planning your time in the reserve, you can weigh water activities against wildlife viewing and also choose your hiking distance.

Birdlife and wildlife

A total of 284 bird species have been recorded in Hardap Game Reserve, including pink pelicans, yellow-billed storks, fish eagles, Bradfield’s Swift and Stark’s Lark. Pink pelicans therefore feature both among the recorded bird species and in the breeding colony at the Hardap Dam: the species connects the reserve’s bird records with a specific nesting site by the water. The reserve’s wildlife includes Black Rhino, Kudu, Oryx, Hartmann’s Mountain Zebra, Springbok and Red Hartebeest, among others. Birdwatching focuses on the recorded species, while game drives focus on the wildlife.

Fish farming in Hardap

The Hardap Freshwater Fish Institute is also located in Hardap Game Reserve. It supplies fingerlings for breeding to fish farms, other government-controlled dams and aquaculture projects; current operating procedures may change. This institutional connection complements the water-based leisure activities with an aspect of fish farming in Hardap.

Fishing competitions and current planning

According to Namibia Wildlife Resorts, fishing competitions are held regularly at the Hardap Dam; they take place annually. If a competition is relevant to your trip, check the specific dates in advance. It is also advisable to check the current conditions for activities offered in Hardap Game Reserve before your trip. This allows you to coordinate competition dates and nature activities with the timing of your stay.

Discover more destinations: Kub, Uhlenhorst, Sesriem Canyon, Aranos, Gochas, Strampriet, Maltahöhe, Rietoog.

Return to the main travel overview: Hardap.