Otjozondjupa
Otjozondjupa is a region in eastern central Namibia.
Cities
- 🌍 Grootfontein
- 🌍
Okahandja
- 🌍
Okakarara
- 🌍
Otavi
- 🌍 Otjiwarongo
- 🌍 Tsumkwe
Other destinations
- 🌍
Gross Barmen
- 🌍 Waterberg Plateau Park A small National Park around the Waterberg table mountain
Understand
Otjozondjupa borders to Botswana in the east, and to the Namibian regions of Khomas in the south, Erongo in the southwest, Kunene in the northwest, the Four-O region in the north, and Kavango region in the northeast.
Talk
Get in
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.
By train
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.
By public transport
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.
Get around
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.
See
Do
Sleep
Otjozondjupa is touristically well developed west of the B1 highway. East of it, it is almost undeveloped, with accommodation in all towns and villages, but the smaller the place the more basic the facilities.
Between the major tourist destinations there occasionally are additional options:
- 🌍 Midgard Country Estate (On the banks of the Swakop River. From Windhoek drive the B6 towards Gobabis. Turn left at the roadblock onto the D1502, and then left onto the D2102. From Okahandja drive south on the B1 and turn left onto the D2102.). The estate of the List family, one of the most successful businesspeople of the country. Very generous layout that oozes style and wealth. Huge lawn area with pools, outdoor sports fields and old trees.Small car museum, short hiking trails, bars, restaurant, billiard, bowling alley, table tennis. Good for parents who can drop their kids somewhere on the premises and enjoy the day. The lodge staff will know where they are and prevent them from doing anything stupid. Popular on Sundays for the lunch buffet, on weekends the place is essentially empty. Double room from 1,200 N$ per night. Light lunch 70-140 N$.
Eat
Buy
Drink
Stay safe
Go next
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