A Rhenish mission station was established here in 1844 as one of Namibia’s earliest mission stations. The German missionaries named it Neo Barmen after Barmen, the headquarters of the Rhenish Mission Society in Germany.
Situated 25 km west of Okahandja and 100 km from Windhoek, Gross-Barmen is a popular day resort for Namibians and a stopover for tourists. Water from the mineral-rich spring has a temperature of about 65 degrees Celsius, which is cooled to about 40 degrees for the revitalising indoor thermal pool.
Proclamation: Gross-Barmen Hot Springs in 1968
Park size 1 km2
Natural features: Hot springs
Vegetation: Tree and Shrub Savannah Biome.
Vegetation types: Highland Shrubland
Wildlife: Kudu, warthog and baboon. The 191 bird species recorded include Rufus-bellied Heron, Dwarf Bittern, Macao Duck, African Jacana and Palm Swift.
Tourism: Thermal hall and outdoor pool. Bird-watching. Camping and bungalows. Conference facilities. Restaurant, kiosk and shop. Ruins of the original mission house are still visible
Key management issues: Reeds around the dam attract rats and become thick hampering bird viewing. The area is too small to manage effectively as a game park.
Future plans: Namibia Wildlife Resorts plans to renovate this resort.