Providing the foundation of every agrarian economy, the soil can be considered one of the most important resources in Namibia. Contemporary problems of land degradation therefore demand major emphasis on sustainable treatment, based on careful land use planning. This is especially true for sensitive ecosystems such as those found in central Namibia, location of the study area. The present study aimed at evaluating approaches for the investigation of soils and geomorphology in order to provide a basis for further land capability classification. This was achieved by literature reviews, remote sensing, geomorphological and pedological field work including sampling of material, and analysis and evaluation of the results obtained. The theoretical framework was provided by the land system approach and the catena concept, the soil classification was based on the FAO Soil Classification System. The results showed a strong influence of the denudation history and the complex landscape evolution on the character of the study area. Three different land systems with four comparable land facets could be identified. The land system approach was shown to be very helpful for recording the nature of extensive and initially unknown land over a short period of time. Simultaneously, understanding of the entire ecosystem increased. The catena concept proved not to be applicable in an environment affected by long-term denudation. Soil surveys should therefore be based on the land systems and thereby linked to the entire landscape. The two major soil groupings found were Regosols and Leptosols. The FAO soil classification system provided correct but insufficient information about the soils in the context of land use planning. It is desirable to develop regionally applicable subgroups. Furthermore, the use of soil classification systems evolved in similar environmental conditions might be of advantage, and local knowledge should be taken into account.