Khomas Hochland, Khomas

Rooisand Desert Ranch

Dark-sky desert ranch between Windhoek and the coast — observatory stargazing, self-catering chalet, rooms, and camping on 12,000 ha.

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Feel

The place

Hilltop observatory

Guided astro tours with Namibia's largest public-viewing telescope setup.

Desert ranch landscape

12,000 ha of dunes, grassland, and mountains near the Gamsberg.

Mountain Chalet views

Self-catering privacy with 360° sunsets and dark-sky nights.

Pool & garden oasis

Main-house amenities between Windhoek and the Atlantic coast.

Our read

The landscape does the work, and the altitude changes your pace within a day.

Come here for

Wildlife and landscape first, comfort second
Sleeping outdoors without giving up a real bed
Walking every day and sleeping hard
Swimming, paddling or simply staring at water

Skip it if

Early starts and long drives are not your idea of rest

We’d rather send you somewhere else than send you somewhere that doesn’t suit you.

Rooisand Desert Ranch is an astro and guest farm on the fringe of the Namib Desert in Namibia's Khomas Hochland, along the C26 between the Gamsberg and Kuiseb mountain passes. Roughly halfway between Windhoek (170 km) and Walvis Bay on the Atlantic coast (190 km). The working ranch spans some 12,000 hectares of red sand dunes, grasslands, and rugged mountains near the Gamsberg. Accommodation ranges from fully equipped self-catering Mountain Chalet with panoramic views to comfort and standard rooms near the main house (breakfast included), open-sided Rooisand Cabins for outdoor enthusiasts, and shaded camping sites with electricity and shared ablution blocks. The main house anchors the stay with a restaurant, bar, swimming pool, tennis courts, table tennis, darts, and a lounge library with fireplace. Rooisand is renowned for stargazing: a hilltop observatory roughly 2.5 km from the ranch hosts one of Namibia's largest telescopes available for public viewing, plus a scale-model planetary hiking trail between the ranch gate and observatory. Guided astro tours, sundowner drives, scenic and game drives, mineral and rock-art tours, clay pigeon shooting, and drone safari flights (with licensing) round out the activity menu. Alongside free pool, tennis, and library use.

04 - Stay

Ways to stay

Comfort / Standard Room

From N$ 1,700–1,950 pp sharing

En-suite rooms near the main house with breakfast included.

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Mountain Chalet Self-Catering

From N$ 5,800 / unit (min 2 nights)

Private hilltop chalet with kitchen and panoramic views.

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Camping

N$ 325 per person per night

Shaded sites with electricity and fireplace.

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More of the place

05 - Know

Before you go

Written from what the property publishes. Not yet checked by hand. Confirm on their site before you book.

Drive the C26 between Windhoek and Walvis Bay via Gamsberg or Kuiseb passes (~2–3.5 hours depending on direction). Registered private airstrip FYRS available. Notify the ranch in advance. GPS: S 23° 17' 15.0" E 16° 06' 22.8".

Find it in Maps

Where is Rooisand Desert Ranch located?

On the C26 Gamsberg Pass in Namibia's Khomas Hochland. About 170 km from Windhoek and 190 km from Walvis Bay, between the Gamsberg and Kuiseb passes on the fringe of the Namib Desert.

How do I get to Rooisand from Windhoek?

Leave Windhoek on the C26 west via Kupferberg Pass; after Amani Farm, follow the C26 left toward Walvis Bay via Gamsberg Pass. Allow roughly 2–2.5 hours for gravel roads and pass speeds. GPS: S 23° 17' 15.0" E 16° 06' 22.8".

What accommodation options are available?

Comfort and standard rooms near the main house (breakfast included), a self-catering Mountain Chalet on a hill ~2.5 km away, open Rooisand Cabins, and five shaded camping sites. Book rooms via book.nightsbridge.com/30719.

What makes the stargazing special?

Rooisand's remote location offers minimal light pollution and low humidity. The ranch observatory hosts guided astro tours with one of Namibia's largest public-viewing telescopes, plus a free scale-model planetary walk to the observatory.

What activities can guests do on the ranch?

Free amenities include the pool, tennis, table tennis, darts, and library. Bookable activities include sundowner and scenic/game drives, mineral and rock-art tours, clay pigeon shooting, drone safari flights, and guided astro tours.

How do I book or contact Rooisand?

Book accommodation online at book.nightsbridge.com/30719 or email info@rooisand.com / call +264 81 127 7629. Use the contact form on rooisand.com for activity enquiries.

06 · Go

Rooisand Desert Ranch

Khomas Hochland, Khomas

The landscape does the work, and the altitude changes your pace within a day.

Season: Clear dry season for optimal stargazing and sundowner drives
Getting there: Drive the C26 between Windhoek and Walvis Bay via Gamsberg or Kuiseb passes (~2–3.5 hours depending on direction).
From where you are: Distance appears once we know where you are.
Included: Breakfast with room bookings (comfort & standard rooms) · Pool, tennis, table tennis, darts, and library (room guests) · Planetary hiking trail (self-guided, free) · Restaurant & bar access at main house (meals bookable)

Rooisand Desert Ranch

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