Sundowner Drive

Join us on a drive to one of the many stunning viewing points Rooisand has to offer and enjoy an unobstructed view of the most fascinating African terrain.

With a cold drink in hand, enjoy an (almost) guaranteed spectacular sunset until the first bright stars appear on the Namibian sky above.
Due to the mostly clear and clean air, the setting sun shines immaculately bright, suspending the surrounds in a surprising sea of many contrasts and colours.

Should the sun set behind a range of clouds in the very far distance every once in a while, we spectators are presented with a colourful canvas, and perhaps even – though very seldom here, on the edge of the desert – nature offers a beautiful rainbow.

Please note:
Should you wish to join a sundowner drive, we request you to arrive at least 3 hours before sunset.

Rock Painting Tour

Well-preserved rock carvings created by Namibia’s indigenous hunter-gatherer people have long been known on the farm grounds.
Scientific research brought more elements to light in 2005.
The paintings are mostly done in shades of red, the colour pigment having been ground to powder from Rötelstein (hematite), a ferrous rock. The powder was mixed with blood or egg whites from bird eggs. Even today, body colour is produced in this composition.
Once applied, the ‘paint’ virtually penetrates and chemically binds with the surface it is applied on. Due to this chemical bond, rock art paintings fade only after centuries or even millennia, as there is no actual ‘paint on canvas’.
Animal hair or bird feathers attached to wooden sticks or bones were used as paint brushes.

Several large caves discovered near the rock paintings suggest that over decades different groups of people visited the sites over and over again.

Due to high temperatures during the day, we usually offer this tour soon after breakfast only, and it lasts for about two hours. Please accommodate this in your travel schedule.

Guided Astro Tour

Rooisand’s very own observatory, situated way up on a hill approximately 2.5 km away. The short drive is an experience in itself: due to the almost optimal observation conditions (little
light pollution and very low humidity) guests are offered a fabulous naked-eye view of the breathtakingly clear southern sky.

After a brief theoretical introduction to astronomy, everyone should have a good idea of the definitions and differences between suns, stars, planets and moons and will know some basic facts about our solar system and galaxy – even if the distances, the age of the stars and their sizes are rather difficult to relate to.

Subsequent to the theory session, guests are led into the observatory and invited to observe objects such as open star clusters, visible planets, nebulae, globular clusters, binary star systems and even other galaxies – all through one of Namibia’s largest and state-of-the-art telescopes available for public viewing.

Planetary Hiking Trail

A quite unique activity offered by Rooisand is our planetary walk, completed in early 2018.

A model of our solar system has been set up along the path stretching between the ranch and observatory, a distance of about 2.5km. True to scale in size and distance (about 1: 1.79 billion), the trail starts off at the ranch gate and guides the hiker along to explore Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and finally, Neptune, located at the end of the trail at the Observatory.

In this model, the speed of light is around 16.74 cm/s, or, in other words, hikers walk through the solar system at about 8 times the speed of light!

This activity is offered free of charge and is the perfect introduction to raw astronomy and thus an ideal prelim to an astro-tour in the evening.

Clay Pidgeon Shooting Range

Experience this unique sporting activity
discover the fascination with clay pigeon shooting!

If you have always wanted to try clay pigeon shooting, Rooisand finally offers you this
unique opportunity! Watch the “flying saucers” burst in the air and scatter to dust when you
hit them with a shotgun.
No prior knowledge is required, but clay pigeon shooting can, unfortunately, only be offered
to adults.
This activity can be booked on site, a pre-booking is not necessary.

Guided Walking Tour

A knowledgeable guide will walk you through the grandiose scenery surrounding Rooisand Desert Ranch, there is so much to discover!

Enjoy breathtaking panoramic views and, if you are lucky, you will encounter “other inhabitants” of the Rooisand Desert Ranch during your hike.

Scenic Drive / Game Drive

Rooisand stretches across an area of almost 12 000 ha and there is so much to see!
During a scenic drive spanning a few hours, guests are given an overview of the diversified fauna and flora of the area. The experienced guide will explain many farming concepts while visiting numerous places of interest such as river beds, waterholes and some places which are rather difficult to access.

Usually, a variety of African game species such as kudu, oryx, springbuck are sighted – sometimes, with a bit of luck, also warthog, wild dogs and the famous Hartmann mountain zebra.

Fauna & Flora

Rooisand Astro and Guest Farm are situated in the Khomas Hochland region which boasts high botanical and zoological diversity, supporting a transition between desert and steppe biomes, with notable fauna including wildebeest, oryx, eland, and zebras, alongside diverse bird species like the Laughing Dove and Helmeted Guineafowl. The flora features characteristic plants such as Camel Thorn, Black Thorn, and Wild Camphorbush, with significant regional variation due to altitude and topography.

Birdlife

Birdlife are in abundance on the ranch and offers possible sightings of species like the Carp’s Tit, Orange River Francolin, and Damara Red-billed Hornbill.

You can also find habitat generalists and specialized taxa, including the Short-toed Rock-Thrush, Dusky Sunbird, and various weaver and waxbill species. Birding is best done in joining one of our game or landscape scenic drives, but sightings at the main reception and ranch area is just as rewarding with large variety of bird visitors to the garden.

Night Drive

As the sun dips behind the rugged hills of the Rooisand Mountains, the landscape takes on a new character—alive with sounds, shadows, and the thrill of the unknown. Night game drives on our ranch offer a rare opportunity to experience Namibia’s wildlife in a completely different light. Guided by powerful spotlights and the keen eyes of experienced trackers, guests can encounter nocturnal animals that are seldom seen during the day—such as aardvark, porcupine, bat-eared foxes, jackals, and even elusive predators on the prowl.

Whether you’re a seasoned adventurer or a first-time visitor, a night drive on Rooisand  promises an unforgettable glimpse into the secret life of Namibia’s nocturnal wilderness.

Mineral Tour

Rooisand offers various quarries that have exposed interesting mineral deposits, amongst others quartz, smokey quartz and amethysts.

In addition, deposits of a very rare type of amethyst, that changes colour from violet-red to yellow-green when exposed to sunlight for a few days, have also been found.

A Little Sparkly Reminder ✨

We’ve noticed that our beautiful minerals and crystals seem to be feeling a bit too adventurous lately — many have already “walked off” from the quarries!

While we completely understand the temptation (they are stunning, after all), please remember that these glittering treasures are not free-to-take souvenirs. So, no hammering, chiseling, or sneaky pocketing, please — our crystals prefer to stay right where nature put them.

Thank you for helping us keep the magic (and the sparkle) here for everyone to enjoy! 💎