Omaheke Voyage Tips and guide

Contents

Omaheke is a region in eastern central Namibia.

Map of Omaheke

• -23.65611919.36611 Aminuis
• -22.4518.9666672 Gobabis — the 'Town of the Churches' in Namibia: there are 14 historic churches in town
• -21.14166718.7847223 Otjinene
• -21.719.1166674 Epukiro
• -21.8333320.755 Otjombinde
• Steinhausen
• -22.26666718.0166676 Omitara

Omaheke borders to Botswana in the east, and to the Namibian regions of Khomas in the west, Hardap in the south, and Otjozondjupa in the north. It is largely farmland.

Due to the scarcity of other options, most travellers will arrive by car, either from Botswana or from the capital Windhoek. The major highway in the region is the B6 that leads from Windhoek to Gobabis, and further to Botswana.

Most settlements have small airstrips, suitable for 2 and 4 seaters. There are no major airports in the region, and therefore no scheduled flights.

There is a train service from Windhoek to Gobabis a few times a week. As the train is predominantly for freight with only one or two passenger cars, it will stop at every tree to load and unload goods. The 220 km journey from Windhoek takes all night.

Between towns you can catch a minibus, and Gobabis is on the route of the big coaches that travel between Windhoek and Johannesburg.

The B6 highway is tarred and in very good condition, as is the C22 from Gobabis to Otjinene. All other C-roads are gravel roads and in fair condition, easily passable with an ordinary sedan. Other roads (D-roads, F-roads, and those without letters or numbers) tend to be rough, sandy, heavily corrugated, and will further deteriorate after rainfall. You cannot assume that a D-road in Omaheke is passable without a 4x4. Phone the host to inquire about the current road conditions.

Farms are private properties. Don't drive onto a farm road, even if the gate is open, unless your destination is signposted there, or you intend to visit that farm. If you open a farm gate to drive through, close it again.

• -21.72246719.3497061 Harnas Wildlife Foundation (From Gobabis drive north towards Otjinene on the C22. Behind the settlement of Drimiopsis turn right towards Tsumkwe for about 45 km. The farm is signposted to the left). This farm and guest lodge offers an opportunity to see lion, leopard, and cheetah at one place. It is also one of the very few places where a pack of African Wild Dogs can be seen. At about 320 km from the capital Windhoek, and most of it on tar, a day trip is just about manageable. There is accommodation on a small camp site with 6 spots, or in bungalows. The place has a bar and a restaurant, and many tame animals. All those alpacas, warthogs, mongoose, crocodiles, monkeys, and a variety of poultry make this a great place for kids. That said, the name and the mission are deceiving, as apart from the occasional snake or scorpion roaming the camp site there is no wildlife on this farm. The place is a zoo, and the animals are in cages. At up to 3 hectares the cages are big, but no animal here in in its natural habitat in any way. Unfortunately there is also a zoo of regulations. Even overnight visitors are not allowed to walk away from the farm house. Transgressions carry fines, and staff reminds you all the time of all the Don'ts. To see the animals you have to book a guided tour. The 'Cheetah Walk' is not a tour on foot to watch cheetahs but it is the cheetahs who take a walk while you watch: The farmer takes domesticated cheetahs into his vehicle and you can watch them reconnecting with the rest of the pride. Camp site 180 N$ pppn, children half price. Guided tours 290-500 N$. Beer 20 N$, sodas 10 N$. Light meals 50 N$, lunch / dinner 100 N$, steak 150 N$. Car repairs are free of charge for as long as you're staying overnight!. (updated Jan 2019)

Omaheke is a region that is touristically almost undeveloped. Apart from the regional capital Gobabis where there is a somewhat wide choice of options there is accommodation in all towns and villages, but the smaller the place the more basic the facilities.

Omaheke shares a border with Botswana. Domestically, the following regions of Namibia border with Omaheke:

• Hardap region in the south
• Khomas region in the west
• Otjozondjupa region in the north

Omaheke Region