Marienfluss Valley

The Marienfluss is a broad valley of golden grass between mountain ranges in the far northwest, running north to the Kunene river and the Angolan border, and it is among the most remote drivable places in Namibia. The grass is covered in fairy circles, the bare discs whose cause remains argued between termite and plant-competition explanations. Himba communities live in the valley and run campsites. Getting there is the hard part and Van Zyl's Pass, one route in, is notoriously difficult.

What you actually see

• The grass valley - a broad golden plain between mountain ranges.
• The fairy circles - bare discs across the grassland, cause still disputed.
• The Kunene river - the northern end of the valley at the Angolan border.
• Van Zyl's Pass - one of the hardest drivable passes in the country.

When to go

May to October is the dry season and the practical window. The rains from January to March cut the tracks. Grass colour is best just after the rains have ended.

Honest expectations

Van Zyl's Pass is one-way westbound, extremely difficult and has wrecked many vehicles; the Purros route is the alternative. Two vehicles, spare fuel, water and recovery gear are essential. There is no fuel, no shop and no rescue in the region.

Nearby

Opuwo is southeast, and the Kunene river runs along the north.