Von Bach Dam | Windhoek

Information

Landmark: Von Bach Dam
City: Windhoek
Country: Namibia
Continent: Africa

Von Bach Dam, Windhoek, Namibia, Africa

Von Bach Dam is a rock-fill embankment dam located on the Swakop River, situated 5km southeast of Okahandja and approximately 60km north of Windhoek. It serves as a critical water reservoir for the central Namibian highlands and is the centerpiece of a 43-square-kilometer game park and recreation resort.

Visual Characteristics

The dam structure features a rock-fill embankment standing 35 meters high with a 270-meter-long crest. The reservoir covers a surface area of 4.89 square kilometers when at its full capacity of 48.56 million cubic meters. The surrounding landscape consists of thornbush and highland shrubland, characterized by yellow-bark acacia and red bushwillow, set against the foothills of the Auas Mountains.

Location & Access Logistics

The site is accessed via the B1 national road; traveling north from Windhoek, visitors take the signposted turn-off onto the D2102 just south of Okahandja. The drive from the capital takes approximately 45 to 60 minutes. Internal access to the resort and campsites involves well-maintained gravel roads suitable for 2WD vehicles. There is no direct public transport to the dam; private vehicles or pre-arranged shuttles from Windhoek or Okahandja are required.

Historical & Ecological Origin

Construction of the Sartorius von Bach Dam began in 1968 and was commissioned in 1970 by the South African Department of Water Affairs. The dam was built to secure the water supply for Windhoek's urban growth. The surrounding area was proclaimed a game park in 1972 and is ecologically classified as a Tree and Shrub Savannah Biome.

Key Highlights & Activities

Water-based recreation is the primary draw, including motorized boating, water skiing, and canoeing. The dam is a major destination for freshwater angling, particularly for largemouth bass, blue kurper, and carp (permits are required and available at the entrance). Unguided hiking trails allow for the exploration of the thorn-scrub terrain, where sightings of Hartmann's mountain zebra, kudu, and oryx are common.

Infrastructure & Amenities

The Von Bach Dam Resort (Tungeni) provides deluxe bungalows and luxury chalets, as well as 11 campsites on the eastern shore equipped with running water, barbecue grills, and shared ablution facilities. The DAW Restaurant and an on-site bar provide food and beverage services. The resort features two outdoor swimming pools and a conference center. Mobile signal (4G/5G) is generally reliable, and free Wi-Fi is available in public areas of the resort.

Best Time to Visit

The dam is open daily from 09:00 to 17:00 for day visitors. The dry winter months (May to September) offer the most temperate conditions for hiking and outdoor activities. Late afternoon provides optimal lighting for photography of the reservoir against the mountain backdrop. Angling is most productive during the warmer summer months, though water levels vary based on seasonal rainfall.

Facts & Legends

A specific technical oddity of the resort is its extremely sensitive biological water recycling system; guests are strictly prohibited from using certain chemicals or allowing food residue and cotton/wool fibers to enter the drains to prevent system failure. Historically, while the dam is a key infrastructure site, the lack of large predators in the surrounding park makes it one of the few game reserves in the region that can be safely explored on foot.