Mariental

Mariental is a small town on the B1 road that runs between Windhoek and Keetmanshoop. The town is the centre of trade and administration for the Hardap Region and lies near to the Hardap Dam reservoir which is the largest lake in Namibia.

The town is named after the wife of the first colonial settler in the area; Herman Brandt. There is very little annual rainfall in the area making it ideal for game, sheep and ostrich farming as well as citrus growing. Mariental is home to a large number of Nama-speaking people and has had increasing growth and success in recent years; however, it is still not a particularly exciting town and is recommended more as a drive-through destination.

The B1 road is long and straight and many people tend to speed through Mariental on their way to Windhoek, a fact that has made the traffic department in the area very rich - so go slowly and drive safely!