Hardap is a region in southern Namibia.
Hardap is situated on the Atlantic Ocean and borders to Botswana in the northeast and South Africa in the southeast. Within Namibia, Hardap borders the ǁKaras region in the South, Erongo in the northwest, Khomas in the north, and Omaheke in the northeast.
Due to the scarcity of other options, most travellers will arrive by car, either from abroad or on the B1, the only major road in Hardap. There are no major airports in the region but a lot of small airstrips, suitable for 2 and 4 seaters.
There is a train service between Windhoek and Keetmanshoop a few times a week. The train stops at Rehoboth and Mariental, and on request at any other designated stop along the B1 which runs in parallel. As the train is predominantly for freight with only one or two passenger cars, it will stop at every tree to load and unload goods, and the journey takes a long time.
Between towns you can catch a minibus, and Rehoboth and Mariental are on the route of the big coaches that travel to Windhoek, Cape Town and Johannesburg.
There is no public transport to tourist destinations, you have to get around by car or private airplane. You can book private tours (a 4x4 and a driver) to destinations in the Namib-Naukluft National Park in Maltahöhe.
The B1 highway is tarred and in very good condition, as are the C19 from Mariental to Maltahöhe, and the C20 from Mariental to Aranos. All other C-roads are gravel roads and in fair condition, easily passable with an ordinary sedan. Other roads (D-roads, F-roads, and those without letters or numbers) tend to be rough, rarely graded, and will require a sturdy vehicle. Expect to be able to drive 120 km/h on tar, 60-80 km/h on good gravel, and about 30 km/h on minor roads. Many of the small access roads to farms require good ground clearance and considerable driving skill. Phone the host whether you need a 4x4 or not.
Farms are private properties. Don't drive onto a farm road, even if the gate is open, unless your destination is signposted there, or you intend to visit that farm. If you open a farm gate to drive through, close it again.
Hardap shares international borders with:
Related Wikipedia article: Hardap Region