Hardap Game Reserve is situated about 24 kilometers from the town of Mariental. The Hardap dam and Recreational Resort offers a rich diversity of bird life. The Hardap Recreation Resort encompasses Namibia's largest dam, Hardap, which is on the Fish River. The dam was completed in 1963. It has a capacity of 320 million m³ and a surface area of 25 km². Hardap is well known as an angler's paradise, with annual competitions held for enthusiasts.

The dam and surroundings accommodate one of Namibia's most strategic Great White Pelican breeding colonies. The Hardap Freshwater Fish Institute is within the reserve supporting the country's growing aquaculture industry. It provides fish farms, other state-controlled dams and aquaculture projects with fingerlings for breeding and conducts research. The resort at the Hardap dam offers visitors to the dam and reserve a variety of facilities such as, a restaurant which overlooks the dam, an aquarium, a fresh water fishing farm, and conference facilities.

The 284 bird species recorded here include the Great White Pelican, Yellow Billed Stork, Osprey, Bradfield's Swift and Stark's Lark, Ostrich, White Pelican, Reed Cormorant, Darter, Goliath and Purple Heron, Little and Dwarf Bittern, African Black Duck, African Fish Eagle, Pygmy Falcon, Ludwig's Bustard, Namaqua Dove, Rosy-faced Lovebird, Pied and Giant Kingfisher, Olive, Groundscraper and Short-toed Thrush, Cape and Karoo and Kalahari Robin, Cinnamon-breasted warbler, Fairy Flycatcher, Dusky, Marico and Scarlet-chested Sunbird, Pin-tailed Whydah. A number of species reach their northern limit to their range here at Hardap.

The park is open all year; travel is most comfortable in the cooler months (May-Sep.) Hardap is in one of the hottest parts of the country; summer temperatures are often above 35°C. Dam water levels are highest at the end of the rainy season in May. Many locals come to Hardap to relax at the resort, especially on summer weekends