A secret gem: Arimas River Road (D463 from vest / C13)

D463 "Arimas River Road" start

D463 from C13 (vest) is a secret gem!

Namibia is the perfect country for awesome road trips! Often visitors report the most beautiful roads of Namibia that you really shouldn’t miss. We have already had the privilege to try many of these visiting Namibia five times. 

Now we will tell you a secret! On this trip, we found the most fantastic road that we have never heard of before! Let's call it "Arimas River Road". It connects the “Diamond Sperrgebiet” east border and the Fish River Canyon´s western parts. A secret gem!

D463´s start from C43 - expect 3 fantastic hours
(Without punctures)

When we stayed at Eagle's Nest in Klein Aus Vista (link), our next destination was Fish River Lodge (link) on the western rim of Fish River Valley. From the travel agency, we were advised to drive along the large paved B4 road towards Keetmanshoop, and then drive south on the D463 to reach the track towards Fish River Lodge. However, at the Tracks4Africa app (highly recommended), we could spot another tempting route! 

• Instead, take D463 from C13 (the road to Rosh Pinah) 👍
• Also possible other way around; D463 from the entrance to Fish River Lodge track to C13 
• However, the part of D463 from the entrance to Fish River Lodge track to B4 is not very interesting

Tracks¤Africa App
Take D463 from C13

We ask about the road conditions at the reception in the Desert Horse Inn Lodge. We are advised it should be possible as long as there is no rain, as we have to cross several riverbeds. We inform the reception that we will take this route instead thus they can send a rescue party if we do not show up at Fish River Lodge. It turnes out to be one of the most stunningly beautiful routes we've driven on five trips to Namibia!

The start from Klein Aus Vista towards Rosh Pinah by C13 is magnificent with a fantastic view of the “Diamond Sperrgebiet” on the right hand.

C13 with “Diamond Sperrgebiet” on the right hand.

After we turn off the D463 towards east, we only meet one car for the next 3 hours!! In the beginning, we have beautiful mountains on our left hand. (Mt Witputkuppe 1351m & Mt. Nasepberg). Also, we see the most wonderful mountain formations with many different layers in the rocks. 

D463

D463, a break, what a view!

We pass some farm gates, and now, the road follows the Arimas Riverbed, which we cross several times. It is so beautiful and endlessly desolate! 

Dry riverbed, Arimas River

After two hours' drive along D463, we cross two larger - but fine - passages of the river, where it widens and there is more vegetation. 

D463, larger riverbed

This could be challenging places if there was water! Finally, we reach the D459, which we pass on our left hand on the way to the beginning of the track to Fish River Lodge. After D459 (still on D463), we pass the very beautiful "Konkiep River Crossing", where there is actually reed forest (!)

D463 in the distance

We are relieved when we finally reach the entrance gate at the track to Fish River Lodge (and 45 mins. more interesting drive). 

Track to Fish River Lodge from D463

It has been a very desolate absolutely stunningly beautiful tour!

Enjoying the surroundings D463 

Word of warning:

• Very desolate, far from help
• No cell phone reception
• 4WD is recommended (but unproblematic for us in dry weather)
• Bring plenty of water (at least 5L per person)

Other roads in Namibia we loved, read our posts:

• C34 driving along Skeleton Coast (link)  
• D3700 along Kunene River (link)
• Into Damaraland along C39 (link)
• C43 towards Sesfontain (link)
• From Orupempe into Marienfluss (link in Danish)

Into Damaraland along C39

Leaving the fascinating Skeleton Coast Park

C34 on left hand, we are leaving the coast for new adventures

Our next destination is Palmwag Lodge. We leave Terrace Bay after breakfast. We are really looking forward to the next 200 kms journey inland heading east along the remote and very beautiful C34. We hit C34 just after passing Torra Bay. It still looks like we are on another planet.

The planned route from Terrace Bay to Palmwag Lodge (link)

Along the way, we pass large welwitschia colonies. Welwitschias are weird desert plants that can reach between 1000 and 1500 years of age. They look like something that has been run over by dozens of 4x4 cars (source)!

Thirty-nine kms later, we leave Skeleton Coast Park at Springbokwasser Gate.

Welwitschia, a weird desert plant. Can reach between 1000 and 1500 years.
Looks like something that has just been run over by dozens of 4x4 cars

Skeleton Coast Park, Namibia 2019

In Skeleton Coast Park, just before Springbokwasser Gate

C34 and Euphorbia damarana bush to the right

Climbing deaper into Damaraland´s mountains, we also see huge Euphorbia damarana bushes, one of the most toxic plants in Namibia which can be found on rocky slopes, in river beds and on plains. Just 10 kms before Springbokwasser Gate, we hit the dry riverbed of Koichab (Koigab) River and drive along it for many kms into it´s catchment area. This river only rarely floods. About 15 kms before the small settlement of Bergsig, we swap to Springbok River and follow it north towards Palmwag. From Bergsig to Palmwag, the road is very corrugated. Later on we discover a puncture of right back wheel, fortunately just a very slow one we can get repaired at Palmwag tyre shop 40 kms ahead

Passing Bergsig, we clearly remember our trip in 2012 (link): Suddenly, all electrical equipment in our Land Rover Defender failed just outside Bergsig (I am not a fan of Land Rovers - had three breakdowns at critical places). We had to get help from the kind staff at Palmwag Lodge via our satellite phone. Fortunately, we are not driving a Land Rover this time, especially since we have no satelite phone (but plenty of water, tent and sleeping bags).

A break in the desert, C34, Namibia 2019

We reach Palmwag after clearing the vetenary fence

"Tent 23 at river the bed", Palmwag Lodge, Namibia 2019

Bathroom tent 23, Palmwag Lodge, Namibia