Introduction & planning tips
Travellers are often delighted to find the village of Solitaire in the area that borders the Namib Naukluft Park, in the midst of the gravel plains of the Namib. Solitaire exudes a sense of warmth, and it is comforting for travellers to see other people, even if they are strangers, in the Namib.
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Solitaire is an excellent choice to split the journey between the Sesriem and Sossusvlei area and Swakopmund or Windhoek, as it has an air of tranquillity.
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The Sesriem and Sossusvlei sites are often marketed in conjunction with the lodges at Solitaire. It must be born in mind that the distance to Sesriem is approximately 83 km. If travellers are staying at Solitaire for a night, the consultant is advised not to schedule itineraries so that guests depart from Solitaire in order to arrive at Sesriem by sunrise, in order not to avoid disappointment.
- Solitaire offers a Call-out Service in the vicinity of 100km around Solitaire for fixing tyres and fitting new tyres, as well as a tow-in service. For more details see "Facilities" under "Planning Information" below.
Consultants' map
Consultants' folder
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 Planning informationIf not staying in the area, a duration of 1 - 2 hours is enough. This gives the opportunity to refuel, stretch legs, have a cup of coffee and a cake.
If staying at or near Solitaire a minimum stay of 2 nights is advicable, to incorporate a day visit to Sesriem & Sosussvlei. Solitaire is also the ideal place to get insite into the live of a tiny viallge in the middle of nowhere.
* Petrol station
* Tyre repairs
* General Dealer, simply known as "The Shop".
* Bakery
* Small restaurant & bar
Solitaire Call-out Service
Solitaire Call-out Service offers in the vicinity of 100km around Solitaire:
* Road side assistance with fixing tyres and fitting new tyres.
* Tow-in service for light vehicles to a maximum of 1 ton.
Contact:
Solitaire Country Lodge: +264 - (0)63 - 693 021
Jacques Junius: +264 - (0)812 431 760
Fanie van Eck: +264 - (0)816 032 446
The shop
Use the opportunity to stock up on snacks, beverages and water. Travellers should be advised to ask about road conditions.
Fuel
Refuel at Solitaire, especially if traveling to Sesriem. Check oil, water and tires.
Road Conditions
During the rainy season particularly, Solitaire is the best place to find out about road conditions and alternative routes in the area.
Cool box
During summer, temperatures can reach up to 40 degrees Celsius, so a cool box is essential for comfort. Refreshments can be purchased at the Solitaire store.
* A sense of comfort on finding a village and friendly faces in the midst of the gravel plains of the Namib.
* The shop and an opportunity to stretch legs and refuel
* The legendary Apfelstrudel and coffee
* Beautiful scenery entering & exiting the town
Solitaire is located only approx. 83 km from Sesriem, the gateway to Sossusvlei.
Sesriem is located on a spur of the Namib Naukluft Park that is surrounded by private farmlands and conservancies. Although Sesriem offers
access to Sossusvlei, the destination has a number of attractions that
are often not communicated well. These include Sesriem Canyon, Elim Dune, the general environment and wildlife.
Sossusvlei is approx. 65 km from Sesriem andis one of Namibia's major attractions. Situated on the edge
of the sand sea of the Namib Desert, it allows travellers to experience
the contrasts of life in the harsh environment of the Namib Desert in a
peaceful and very scenic environment. A visit to Sossusvlei gives the traveller the
opportunity to explore on foot four vleis within the space of a few
hours. These are: Hidden Vlei, Dead Vlei, Nara Vlei and Sossusvlei.
Travel details
* During the dry season, Solitaire can be reached in a small 2 X 4 sedan.
* Although Solitaire lies in an arid area, rain in other parts of
the country can cause rivers to flow. The onset of the flow is very
rapid.
* As a large part of the journey takes place on gravel roads,
consultants should switch to an offroad vehicle during the rainy season
(October to April).
Sesriem
Sesriem to Solitaire is approx. 83 km
* From Sesriem take the D826 and drive to the C19 turn off (approx. 11 km)
* Turn left into the C19 and follow it to Solitaire (approx 72 km)
The entire route is gravel road.
Walvis Bay
Walvis Bay to Solitaire is approx. 230 km
* From Walvis Bay drive south on the C14 to Solitaire (approx. 230 km)
The entire route is gravel road.
En-route attractions: Gaub & Kuiseb Passes
Swakopmund
Swakopmund to Solitaire is approx. 260 km
* From Swakopmund drive south on the B2 to Walvis Bay (approx. 30 km)
* From Walvis Bay drive south on the C14 to Solitaire (approx. 230 km)
The B2 is tar road. The C14 is gravel road.
En-route attractions: Gaub & Kuiseb Passes
Henties Bay
Henties Bay to Solitaire is approx. 332 km
* From Henties Bay drive south on the C34 to Swakopmund (approx. 72 km)
* From Swakopmund drive south on the B2 to Walvis Bay (approx. 30 km)
* From Walvis Bay drive south on the C14 to Solitaire (approx. 230 km)
The B2 is tar road. The C34 and C14 are gravel roads.
En-route attractions: Gaub & Kuiseb Passes
Maltahöhe via Tsaris Pass
Maltahöhe to Solitaire is approx. 226 km
* From Maltahöhe take the C19 to Solitaire (approx. 226 km)
The entire route is gravel road.
Alternatively: From Maltahöhe take the C14 to Solitaire (approx. 170 km)
Mariental via Tsaris Pass
Mariental to Solitaire is approx. 337 km
* From Mariental drive west on the C19 to Maltahöhe (approx. 111 km)
* From Maltahöhe take the C19 to Solitaire (approx. 226 km)
From Mariental to Maltahöhe the C19 is tar road. From Maltahöhe the C19 is gravel road.
Alternatively: From Maltahöhe take the C14 to Solitaire (approx. 170 km)
Helmeringhausen
Helmeringhausen to Solitaire is approx. 332 km
* From Helmeringhausen drive north on the C27 to Sesriem (approx . 249 km)
* From Sesriem take the D826 and drive to the C19 turn off (approx. 11 km)
* Turn left into the C19 and follow it to Solitaire (approx 72 km)
The entire route is gravel road.
Windhoek
There are numerious routes that can be taken from Windhoek to Solitaire Country Lodge, below are the 2 most scenic routes.
Windhoek via Spreetshoogte Pass
Windhoek via Spreetshoogte Pass to Solitaire is approx. 241 km
* From Windhoek drive south on the B1 to Rehoboth (approx. 87 km)
* From Rehoboth drive south west on the C24 to the D1261 turn off (approx. 39 km)
* Drive on the D1261 to Nauchas (approx. 55 km)
* From Nauchas drive the D1275 down the Spreetshoogte pass to the C14 turn off (approx. 51 km)
* Turn left into the the C14 and continue to Solitaire (approx. 9 km)
The B1 is tar road, the rest of the route is gravel road.
NOTE: With a gradiant of 1:1.6 the Spreetshoogte Pass is one of Namibias steepest passes and can not be driven with trailors, caravans or top heavy vehicles.
Windhoek via Remhoogte Pass
Windhoek via Remhoogte Pass to Solitaire is approx. 275 km
* From Windhoek drive south on the B1 to Rehoboth (approx. 87 km)
* From Rehoboth drive south west on the C24 down the Remhoogte Pass to the C14 turn off (approx. 174 km)
* Turn right into the C14 and continue to Solitaire (approx. 14 km)
The B1 is tar road, the rest of the route is gravel road.
Solitaire Airstrip (FYSO)
* South 23 degrees 53 00’
* East 16 degrees 01 00’
* Length: 800 meters
* Width: 10 meters
* Elevation 3,800 feet
* Direction: 10/28
* Surface: Lime & sand
Accomms index
Solitaire Country Lodge
23 rooms, 2 family units & 30 campsites, only 83 km from Sesriem, the gateway to Sossusvlei. Walking trails and sundowner drives.
Desert Homestead
Approx. 86 km from Solitaire
16 twin & 4 double rooms, access to Sossusvlei. Offers horse trails, guided excursions into Sossusvlei and the Namib Naukluft.
Kulala Desert Lodge
Approx. 92 km from Solitaire
13 twin / double rooms & 2 family rooms, access to Sossusvlei. Offers guided visits to Sossusvlei, nature drives, walking trails, sundowners and night drives.
Kulala Wilderness Camp
Approx. 87 km from Solitaire
9 twin / double tents & 1 family tent, access to Sossusvle. Offers guided visits to Sossusvlei, nature drives, walking trails, sundowners and night drives.
Marketing descriptions
In the midst of the endless plains of Namibia, surrounded by solitude and the lonely whistling wind, Solitaire is a haven for travellers in search of companionship, comfort and fuel. The rare albino puff adder which stood sentinel at the old fuel station pumps has passed on, but travellers can still take home the story of visiting the desert's loneliest town, and the wonderful Apfelstrudel and coffee prepared by Solitaire's 'Mayor' in Namibia's own 'Baghdad Cafe'.
Background for clients & guides
'Solitaire' is the name of the group of card games for one player only. It also refers to the solitude of the area and the town in the middle of the vast Namib Desert. We can only speculate that the name refers to the only means of entertainment for settlers in this lonely village.
Until 1848 the area that surrounds what is now Solitaire was called Areb, and was unused. In 1848 Willem Christoff van Coller bought 30,000 ha from the South West Administration to farm Karakul sheep. Mr. van Coller first built a small 2 room cottage and later added the main farm house, a stone kraal adjacent to the farm house and constructed a dam across the Tsondab river.
Sometime in the late 1840's Van Coller built the shop, which is still in use today. The shop also acted as the regional post office. In 1851 a church was added, making it one of the older churches in Namibia. An organ was put in the church in 1879.
When motorised transport replaced ox wagons, a hand-operated petrol pump was installed in front of the shop.
In 1968 the farm 'Solitaire' was sold to Mr Maritz.
Today Solitaire is well-known for one individual: Moose, the informal 'Mayor' of the town, and a master of the culinary art of preparing 'apfelstrudel', the German verion of apple pie.
Summer days are generally hot. The average temperature is 29 C, but the temperature can rise to above 40 C in summer. During winter, the daytime temperature rises to approximately 23 C. During winter nights temperatures can fall to below 0 C.
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