Locals and travellers alike use Usakos as their last stop before the final 140km stretch to the coastal Atlantic town of Swakopmund. It is situated only 30km west of Karibib and be warned, it gets piping hot in this region in summer, so even though you may have recently had a refreshment stop, it's worth an extra few minutes, even if just to check your tyre pressures and spare, especially if you're making a detour to visit the 'Grosse' Spitzkoppe (Pondok Mountains) which are situated approximately 60km west of Usakos.

If you do make a pit-stop, then there are some interesting double-storey buildings in the former main street, now a side street, and an old steam locomotive, Class NG No. 40 in front of the station building. (Usakos lost its significance when the steam locomotives were converted to diesel locos, and when the road between Windhoek and the coast was tarred around 1968/9.)

Fuel and snacks can be bought at the Shell garage, or if preferred you can sit down in the Chameleon Coffee Shop, with a selection of souvenirs to browse through while you wait for drinks. Away from the Shell garage is the quieter Namib Wüste Farmstall, situated just before you leave, en-route to Swakopmund. Many travellers who take the time to stop at Usakos, recommend the breakfast, homemade preserves and biltong at the farm stall, as it is more than enough to keep you going all the way to the coast!

Rock paintings of giraffe, rhinos, as well as hunters, women, elephant, ostrich and springbuck, can be viewed at Phillip's Cave at Farm Ameib.

There are several accommodation establishments around Usakos. Most of these are in the form of lodges either in the Erongo Mountains or near the Spitzkoppe.

Accommodation in Namibia