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.
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 tranquility.

YouTube video of Solitaire fuel station:

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 100 km around Solitaire for fixing and fitting new tyres, as well as a tow-in service.

YouTube video of Solitaire car wrecks outdoor museum:

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 Café'.

YouTube video: walk around Solitaire:

Name

"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.

YouTube video: Solitaire in 2016:

History

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.

YouTube video: Solitaire store:

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 version of apple pie. Sadly, Moose died in 2014.

Seasons & weather

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.

Length of stay

* If 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 advisable, to incorporate a day visit to Sesriem & Sossusvlei. Solitaire is also the ideal place to get insight into the live of a tiny village in the middle of nowhere.

Facilities

Solitaire is a tiny village with limited facilities:
* 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 100 km around Solitaire:
* Road side assistance with fixing and fitting new tyres.
* Tow-in service for light vehicles to a maximum of 1 ton.

Travellers advise

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 travelling 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.

Attractions

* 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

Sossusvlei & Sesriem

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 and is 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

Vehicles

* During the dry season, Solitaire can be reached in a 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 a 4x4 vehicle
during the rainy season (October to April).

Road directions

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: Ghaub & 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: Ghaub & 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: Ghaub & 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 numerous 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 gradient of 1:1.6 the Spreetshoogte Pass is one of Namibia,s steepest passes and can not be
driven with trailers, 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.

Airstrip

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

Accommodation in or near Solitaire

Desert Camp
Approx. 90 km south of Solitaire
20 twin bedded units, including 2 wheelchair friendly units. All units are designed for self-catering, but meal options from self-catering to fully inclusive are available. Activities include guided excursions to Sossusvlei, Sesriem Canyon and Deadvlei. Guided nature drives and eco-friendly quad biking.

Desert Homestead
Approx. 80 km south of Solitaire
16 twin & 4 double rooms, access to Sossusvlei. Offers horse trails, guided excursions into Sossusvlei and the Namib Naukluft.

Kulala Desert Lodge
Approx. 90 km south of Solitaire
20 twin / double rooms & 3 family rooms, access to Sossusvlei and bordering the Namib Naukluft Park. Offers guided visits to Sossusvlei, nature drives, eco-friendly quad biking, walking trails, sundowners and night drives.

Little Kulala Lodge
Approx. 90 km south of Solitaire
10 twin / double tents & 1 family unit, access to Sossusvlei. Offers guided visits to Sossusvlei, nature drives, eco-friendly quad biking, walking trails, sundowners and night drives.

Moon Mountain Lodge
Approx. 35 km south of Solitaire
11 luxury units and 6 suites. Build on a hill overlooking the Namib Naukluft Mountains and grass savannah. Guided visits to Sossusvlei and mountain sunset drive.

Rostock Ritz Desert Lodge
Approx. 55 km north of Solitaire
18 standard rooms, 2 suites and 4 campsites. Offers sign posted and mapped walking trails, scenic sundowner drives and excursion to bushman paintings.

Solitaire Country Lodge
Solitaire Country Lodge is located at the remote little settlement of Solitaire, on your way to Sossusvlei from central Namibia. As a stop-over on your tour of south-western Namibia and on the way to Sossusvlei it is a must. 23 rooms, 2 family units & 30 campsites, only 83 km from Sesriem, the gateway to Sossusvlei. Walking trails and sundowner drives.

Solitaire Guest Farm
Solitaire Guest Farm is located in Solitaire, between wide open plains of the Namib Desert and rugged granite mountains where you will find a little oasis with friendly Namibian hospitality. 19 rooms, camping sites.

Sossus Oasis Camp Site
Approx. 95 km south of Solitaire
12 campsites, each has a private bathroom, food preparation area, braai grid and an electrical outlet. Centrally located swimming pool and within walking distance of a general store, internet cafe and petrol station.

Sossusvlei Lodge
Approx. 95 km south of Solitaire
42 twin units plus 3 family units & 3 wheelchair friendly units. Offers conference centre. Activities include guided excursions to Sossusvlei, Sesriem Canyon and Dead Vlei. Guided nature drives, eco-friendly quad biking and scenic flights.

Information & reservations:
E-mail: info@namibweb.com

Terms & conditions, Payment options and Cancellation policy