Namibian localities

In the course of many years, details about localities have been collected by the authors and might not all be up to date. Readers are welcome to contribute by relating recent observations and experiences. This is a short survey that deals with some of the most rewarding and fairly easily accessible localities. For more detailed information with respect to the whereabouts of sites, contact the authors. Many localities are on private ground, mostly on farms, in which case collectors need to contact the proprietors. Access on guest farms is less problematic.

Windhoek and vicinity


The road from Windhoek to the south, at Aris
Three sites around Windhoek are well known, one is Onganya Mine on the farm Von Francois 60, 20 km northeast of the capital, and two quarries at Aris called Ariskop Quarry and Railway Quarry, 20 km to the south on both sides of the national road.
To reach the mine, turn left at Otjihase. One has to approach the management at Onganya before inspecting the mine dumps. Malachite and cuprite crystals were found here.
Both quarries at Aris contain phonolith domes with small cavities and cracks in the rocks. Collectors have to work hard but gently to get mostly micromounts, zeolites for example.

Khomas Hochland

In the central highlands to the southwest of the capital three farms are interesting for collectors, two of which are guest farms that offer access to their sites explicitly: Niedersachsen and Rooisand. Niedersachsen, within the so-called copper belt, is geologically interesting. Specimens of epidote may be retrieved.
Rooisand CC Desert Ranch on the C 26 is a mineral-rich locality, with several alpine-type minerals like epidote, rutile, sagenite and scheelite. Green-coloured amethyst is a speciality. The farmer on the third, Natas, has to be asked to give his permission. The mine at the foot of the Gamsberg mountain became known for copper and gold and, from 1911, for scheelite. Mindat.org quotes almost 30 minerals.


The epidote locality, Farm Niedersachsen

View of the Gamsberg from the north-west

Southern Namibia


Copper minerals at the Sinclair mine
The most easily accessible sites are an old copper mine on farm Sinclair (cf. its homepage), a rose quartz outcrop just before reaching Ai-Ais, and a scattered quartz crystal “balcony” just below the edge of the Fish River canyon. As for the meteorites between Gibeon and the Brukkaros mountain, it is unlawful to collect them. However, small fragments can be viewed at the National Earth Science Museum and large specimens in the Post Street Mall, both in the capital.

In the Brukkaros area various other minerals like chromite, tridymite and baryte may be found, though. About 80 km from Konkiep (Goageb) on the B 4 towards Aus there is a mining area at Aukam off the D 446 with several mines, mainly tin and fluorite. As to the present situation, enquiries should be made concerning accessibility. At Lüderitz, you could try your luck on agate beach. However, due to the nearby settlement, the site is visited regularly.


Water fountain with meteorites, Post Street Mall, Windhoek

Fish River Canyon

The text on Namibian localities is a shortened version of the German one, also with less photos. For more details, refer to the German text or ask the authors - you are welcome!