Solitär

Solitaire began as part of the wide Namib landscape in an area once known as Areb. Its story grew from farming, isolation, a small shop, a church, and one family’s life in a remote place where distance was part of daily living.

In 1848, Willem Christoff van Coller bought 30,000 hectares from the government to farm karakul sheep. Before building his main farmhouse, he built a tiny two-room cottage. He also made a dam across the Tsondab River and a stone kraal for his sheep.

His wife, Elsie Sophia van Coller, named the farm Solitaire. The reason is not fully known. Some believe the name may have come from a single diamond setting. Others link it to the deep solitude of the area. Both meanings fit this lonely desert place.

In the late 1840s, Van Coller built a small shop, which also worked as a post office for this remote area. In 1851, the church was built. Apart from an organ added in 1879, little changed for many years in this quiet settlement.

Solitaire changed again when petrol travel reached the area. A single hand-operated fuel pump was installed, giving travelers a reason to stop. In 1968, Mr. Maritz bought the farm. Today, Solitaire is owned by the Solitaire Land Trust, while the shop and church still operate.

Solitaire’s natural world is dry, open, and tougher than it first looks. The Solitaire Land Trust helps protect gravel plains, grasslands, rivers, and wildlife between the Great African Escarpment and the edge of the Namib Desert.

This semi-arid region supports several desert-adapted animals. Hartmann’s mountain zebra, springbok, kudu, oryx, brown hyena, spotted hyena, cheetah, leopard, aardwolf, and squirrels may live around the wider area. Sightings are not always quick, so patience matters here.

The land is mostly wide grassland, open gravel, and dry river areas. Camel-thorn trees, aloes, and the occasional ilala palm bring small breaks in the landscape. These plants may look sparse, but they are part of what helps life survive here.

Birdlife around Solitaire is richer than many travellers expect. Larks, spotted thick-knee, Namaqua sandgrouse, secretary birds, Rosy-faced Lovebirds, Cape Sparrows, Great Sparrows, Cape Starlings, Greater kestrels, ostriches, Rüppell’s Korhaan, and Mountain Wheatear are among the common species.

Lucky visitors may also spot a Lappet-faced Vulture, Ludwig’s Bustard, or spotted eagle-owl. Birding here is not about thick forests or loud wetlands. It is quieter. You scan the open ground, listen carefully, and notice movement against dry grass, trees, and sky.

Solitaire may look small at first, but it gives travelers plenty of simple desert experiences. Visitors can enjoy bakery treats, scenic meals, sundowner drives, hiking, mountain biking, cheetah conservation visits, birding, and easy day trips to nearby famous Namibian landscapes.

McGregor’s Bakery is one of Solitaire’s best-known stops. Travelers come for fresh-baked items, espresso, cold drinks, sandwiches, and the famous apple pie. Cafe van der Lee is another relaxed place for lunch or supper, serving burgers, salads, pizza, fish and chips, beer, and South African wines.

A scenic sundowner drive is a good way to end the day. Guests can ride through the countryside in a vintage Land Cruiser and stop at a desert viewpoint. Snacks and cold drinks are usually served while the sun drops over the Namib landscape.

Walking and mountain biking are also possible around the foothills and farm roads. Some marked routes suit different fitness levels, while easier tracks allow travelers to enjoy the open space without pressure. The dry air, quiet paths, and wide views make even short walks feel rewarding.

The Cheetah Sanctuary gives visitors a closer look at cheetah conservation. Some animals cannot return to the wild, while others may be prepared for release. Guided tours help guests learn more about these cats. Solitaire also works well for day trips to Sossusvlei, Spreetshoogte Pass, and Kuiseb Canyon.