Maltahöhe lies in the Hardap Region, about 110 kilometres west of Mariental at the foot of the Swartrand escarpment. As far as here you drive on tar. From Maltahöhe on, every road is gravel: west to the dunes of Sesriem, northwest to Solitaire, south along the C14 to Helmeringhausen. At the 2023 census 3,464 people lived here.
- founded by Henning von Burgsdorff
- 1899
- residents, 2023 census
- 3,464
- of tar to Mariental
- 110 km
- to Duwisib Castle
- 72 km
The village was founded in 1899 by Henning von Burgsdorff, a former officer of the German colonial Schutztruppe. He named it after his wife, Malta. The Maltahöhe Hotel dates from 1907 and is said to be the oldest country hotel in Namibia.
Times are not easy here. Karakul sheep farming, which long kept the area going, is shrinking, and after 2000 Maltahöhe lost its town status. For travellers it is mainly a stopover between the south and the Namib. And a fuel stop when Sesriem has none: in 2025 a travel trade association named Maltahöhe as the place to go when the pumps in Sesriem were empty.
Duwisib Castle
72 kilometres to the southwest a castle stands in the middle of farmland. Hans Heinrich von Wolf, a Saxon artillery officer, had it built from 1908 to plans by the architect Wilhelm Sander, and it was finished in mid-1909. The red sandstone was quarried locally. Iron, timber, cement and even the lamps came from Germany.
The castle has 22 rooms. Von Wolf and his wife Jayta did not live there for long. He was killed at the Somme in 1916. Since 1979 Duwisib has belonged to the state, run by Namibia Wildlife Resorts (NWR). The castle has been closed to visitors since 2022, and in July 2026 NWR confirmed that it will stay closed until further notice (as of October 2026). You can still see it from outside, and right next door is a guest farm with rooms and campsites.
On into the Namib
To the north the C19 runs on gravel towards Sesriem and Solitaire. Wikipedia describes the stretch to Solitaire as often in poor condition and recommends a 4x4. To the south the C14 takes you about 140 kilometres to Helmeringhausen. Coming up from the south, from Aus or the Fish River Canyon, this is the way to Sossusvlei if you would rather avoid the D707.
Today, as of An environmental assessment for tarring the roads from Walvis Bay via Solitaire to Maltahöhe, about 385 kilometres, was out for comment in 2025. At the end of 2025 the roads authority reported delays to its projects because bitumen was short. Beyond Maltahöhe it stays gravel, as of October 2026.
- Time needed
- one night, with a look at Duwisib Castle from outside
- From Windhoek
- 377 km, 280 minutes
Our tipFill up in Maltahöhe before you head out on the gravel towards Sesriem or Duwisib. The fuel station in Sesriem ran dry several times in 2025.
Places to stay in Maltahöhe
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Burgsdorf
Farm Burgsdorf 188
- Pool
- Spa
- Breakfast
- Restaurant
from €185per night on 23 November 2026
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Maltahohe
Post Street Nr 3 5
- Pool
- Breakfast
- Restaurant
- Parking
from €88per night on 18 November 2026
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HUDUP Guesthouse
198 Johan Albrecht street
- Kitchen
- Parking
- Air conditioning
- Pets allowed
from €43per night on 23 November 2026
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Maltahöhe Hotel
- Pool
- Breakfast
- Restaurant
- Parking
from €62per night on 23 November 2026
Check prices on trivagoMaltahöhe: frequently asked questions
Who built Duwisib Castle?
Duwisib Castle was built in 1908 and 1909 for the Saxon officer Hans Heinrich von Wolf, to plans by Wilhelm Sander. The sandstone is local, almost everything else came from Germany. Von Wolf was killed at the Somme in 1916.
How far is Duwisib Castle from Maltahöhe?
Duwisib Castle lies 72 kilometres southwest of Maltahöhe. It has been closed since 2022, and in July 2026 the state company NWR confirmed that it will stay closed until further notice.
Is the road from Mariental to Maltahöhe tarred?
The C19 is tarred from Mariental to Maltahöhe, about 110 kilometres. From Maltahöhe towards Sesriem, Solitaire and Helmeringhausen you drive on gravel.
How did Maltahöhe get its name?
Henning von Burgsdorff, an officer of the colonial Schutztruppe, founded the village in 1899 and named it after his wife, Malta.