Otjozondjupa Voyage Tips and guide

Otjozondjupa is a region in eastern central Namibia.

Map of Otjozondjupa

• -19.56583318.1036111 Grootfontein — near the Hoba meteorite, the world's largest meteorite
• -21.98333316.9166672 Okahandja — the Garden Town of Namibia
• -20.58555617.4569443 Okakarara — hosts the annual Okakarara trade fair
• -19.63805617.3402784 Otavi — near the Elefantenberg (elephant mountain)
• -20.46416716.6527785 Otjiwarongo — the Waterberg Plateau is home to over 200 species of birds
• -19.59305620.5022226 Tsumkwe — the centre of Bushmanland, the home of the San people

• -20.41666717.2166671 Waterberg Plateau Park — a small National Park around the Waterberg table mountain

Otjozondjupa borders Botswana in the east, and the Namibian regions of Khomas in the south, Erongo in the southwest, Kunene in the northwest, the Four-O region in the north, the Kavango region in the northeast, and Omaheke region in the southeast.

These parts are well known for cattle farming.

Due to the scarcity of other options, most travellers will arrive by car, either from Botswana or from the capital Windhoek. The major highways in the region are:

• the B1 that connects Windhoek to Okahandja, Otjiwarongo and Otavi, and further to Tsumeb,
• the B2 coming from the Atlantic coast towns of Walvis Bay and Swakopmund and ending in Okahandja,
• the B8 from Otavi via Grootfontein to Rundu and Katima Mulilo, and further to Zambia and 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 Okahandja a few times a week. The 70-km journey starts with a 3-hour session in Windhoek's freight terminal to assemble the train which goes further to the Atlantic coast to transfer goods. It is thus hardly worth taking the train for this short distance.

Between towns you can catch a minibus. Okahandja, Otjiwarongo, Otavi and Grootfontein are on the route of the big coaches that travel between Windhoek and Lusaka.

The B highways are tarred and in very good condition. A few C roads are tarred, too: The C33 from Karibib to Otjiwarongo, the C22 from the B1 to Okakarara, the C38 from Otjiwarongo to Outjo and the C42 from Grootfontein to Tsumeb. 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 Otjozondjupa is passable without a 4x4, particularly in the east of the region. 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.

• The Hoba meteorite is the largest known meteorite on earth that is still in one piece
• Otjihaenamparero is a dinosaur spoor preserved in sandstone

• Gross Barmen, near Okahandja is a hot water springs and spa. Ruins of an old mission station are also still visible.

Otjozondjupa is touristically well developed west of the B1 highway. East of it, it is almost undeveloped, with accommodation in Okahandja and all towns and villages, but the smaller the place the more basic the facilities.

• Thonningii Wine Estate (on the B8 a few kilometres east of Otavi). One of the very few vineyards of Namibia. At below 1,000 bottles per year and variety this wine might be a collectors' item. If groups visit and after prior notice, the Serbian wife of the owner prepares magnificent snacks with an oriental touch. Wine around 150 N$ per bottle. (updated Jun 2019)

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

• Khomas region in the south
• Erongo region in the southwest
• Kunene region in the northwest
• Four-O region in the north
• Kavango region in the northeast
• Omaheke region in the southeast