This is the easiest stage in the south. You drive 267 kilometres on the B1, all of it tarred. About 30 kilometres south of Windhoek the road crosses the Aris River. The old bridge became impassable after rain in March 2025, and since 1 April 2026 a new one carries the traffic. Fill up in Rehoboth, some 85 kilometres out of Windhoek. Mariental at the end of the stage has a fuel station too.
Allow three to three and a half hours of actual driving. The legal limit on tar outside towns is 120 km/h. Resurfacing of the roughly 176 kilometres between Rehoboth and Mariental was listed as postponed in a tender register in April 2025, so expect the road as it is.
What about rain? In February and again in April 2026 Mariental flooded after heavy downpours. If you travel between February and April, ask your lodge about the roads before you set off.
Our tipCheck your rental contract for night driving. With one Windhoek rental company, your insurance lapses if you drive outside towns after sunset without permission.
The route at a glance
- Roads
- B1
- Distance
- 267 km
- Surface
- tar all the way
- Driving time
- 3 to 3.5 hours
- Fuel on the way
- Rehoboth, Mariental
Distances and times as of October 2026, driving time without stops or detours.
Routes that use this stage
Places to stay in Mariental and Kalahari
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Aspasia Agency
M29 Ernst Stumpfe Road
- Kitchen
- Parking
- Air conditioning
- Fireplace
from €52per night on 18 November 2026
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Bagatelle Kalahari Game Ranch
37 km from the town centre
- Pool
- Spa
- Breakfast
- Restaurant
from €394per night on 2 December 2026
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Kalahari Anib Campsite
Kalahari Desert Kalahari Anib Lodge, P O Box 80205 Wondhoek
- Pool
- Restaurant
- Parking
- Air conditioning
from €39per night on 23 November 2026
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Lapa Lange Game Lodge
M29
- Pool
- Spa
- Breakfast
- Restaurant
from €255per night on 18 November 2026
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Bagatelle Kalahari Boutique Farmhouse Lodge
Bagatelle Kalahari Game Ranch Kalahari
- Pool
- Spa
- Parking
- Air conditioning
from €403per night on 3 June 2027
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Boutique Guesthouse Mariental
65 River street
- Breakfast
- Parking
- Air conditioning
- Wi-Fi
from €61per night on 18 November 2026
Check prices on trivagoWindhoek to Mariental: frequently asked questions
How long is the drive from Windhoek to Mariental?
Windhoek to Mariental is 267 kilometres on the tarred B1 via Rehoboth. Allow three to three and a half hours of actual driving.
Where can I get fuel between Windhoek and Mariental?
Between Windhoek and Mariental you can refuel in Rehoboth, about 85 kilometres south of Windhoek. Mariental itself also has a fuel station.
Is the Aris bridge on the B1 open again?
The old Aris bridge on the B1, about 30 kilometres south of Windhoek, became impassable after rain in March 2025. Since 1 April 2026 the B1 crosses the river on a new bridge.
Does the B1 near Mariental flood?
Mariental flooded after heavy rain in February and April 2026. Between February and April, ask your lodge about road conditions before you drive.