Namibia's Ohangwena, Omusati, Oshana and Oshikoto Regions - places of interest that make them attractive to tourists

Photo: Even Namibia's rockiest places host delicate beauty

Namibia Country & Travel Info

Read about places of interest in Namibia for sightseeing, game viewing and other holiday activities - select a region to see details:

Namibia's 13 Regions - in alphabetical order:

Caprivi - Katima Mulilo, Kwando River, Mudumu, Ngoma

Erongo - Erongo, Omaruru, Skeleton Coast, Swakopmund

Hardap - Kalahari, Maltahöhe, Namib Desert, Sossusvlei

Karas - Fish River Canyon, Kalahari, Keetmanshoop, Lüderitz

Kavango - Bushmanland, Divundu, Kaudom Game Park,

                       Mahango, Okavango River, Popa Falls, Rundu

Khomas - Khomas Highlands, Windhoek

Kunene - Damaraland, Kaokoland, Kunene, Twyfelfontein

Omaheke - Buitepos, Gobabis, Trans-Kalahari-Highway

Ohangwena - Oshikango

Omusati - Ombalantu

Oshana - Ondangwa, Oshakati, Nakambale

Oshikoto - Etosha National Park, Tsumeb

Otjozondjupa - Bushmanland, Otjiwarongo, Waterberg

 Here you'll find essential Namibia Travel Info

Where to stay for overnights in Namibia and at travel destinations around neighbouring countries is listed under Recommended Accommodations. 

Unique Tours & Safaris, Namibia

Contact Heike by Email:
info@unique-tours-safaris.com

Web: www.unique-tours-safaris.com

P. O. Box 1301
Swakopmund/Namibia
Cell:  +264-(0)81-2122580
Tel/Fax: +264-(0)64-406313
NTB-Registration: TFA 00107

Complete safari proposals can be found under

Suggested Itineraries

Namibia - country & travel info - PLACES OF INTEREST

Quick links to info
on places of interest
in other
Namibian Regions:

Caprivi
Erongo / Hardap Karas / Kavango Khomas / Kunene Omaheke / Omusati  Ohangwena
Oshana / Oshikoto Otjozondjupa

Three of the so-called "Four 'O' Regions", - Ohangwena, Omusati, and Oshana -, in Namibia's far northern centre, represent the core of the former Owamboland and are home to most of its inhabitants.
The fourth, least populated region, Oshikoto, comprises of the eastern remainder of Owamboland and one of Africa's largest and most game-rich wildlife sanctuaries, the famous Etosha National Park. 
 

Ohangwena Region

-

most northern of
the four regions, bordering Angola

The small Ohangwena Region is densely populated mainly by the Kwanyama, one of the tribes amalgamated with others to form the Wambo People, many centuries ago. The Kwanyama still have close ties with relatives on the Angolan side of the border, in fact, the nation was split in two by the deliberate demarcation of Namibia's northern border in the early 1900's and its majority became citizens of Angola.

Ohangwena is administered from Eenhana. In recent years, the border post to Angola, Oshikango, developed into one of Namibia's economically most vibrant towns, due to many rural Angolans buying goods here as there is little available in their own country, outside the capital, Luanda.

There are no tourist facilities developed yet, and travellers are advised to visit the Ohangwena Region in the company of a guide with knowledge about the area and local language only who was contracted through a registered tour operator or tour facilitator, like Unique Tours & Safaris.

Omusati Region

-

most western of
the four regions, bordering the Kaokoland of the Kunene Region

Ombalantu Baobab Tree
A huge hollow Baobab tree that served as a post office, a chapel and a hiding place during tribal wars.

Uukwaluudhi Royal Homestead
The Uukwaluudhi Royal Homestead in Tsandi, the former home of King Josia Shikongo Taapopi, is an opportunity for guests to visit a traditional palace.

Oshana Region

-

in the centre of
the four regions

Nakambale Museum
The Nakambale Museum was opened on the premises of the former Swedish Mission at Nakambale, a National Monument since May 1995. The museum is a member of the Museums Association of Namibia. Old mission stations were founded close to the residences of the traditional leaders of each region.

Ondangwa
The administrative centre of the Oshana Region is located on the main tar road that connects Windhoek, Otjiwarongo, Tsumeb and the eastern Etosha National Park with Ruacana, on the Kunene River. Rapid growth of both Ondangwa and neighbouring Oshakati in recent decades saw both these towns develop almost into twin-cities, with Ondangwa housing the region's main airport that is serviced by Air Namibia on a scheduled basis.
Oshana is the smallest yet most densely populated of the "Four 'O' Regions". Its name refers to the Oshana System, a myriad of inter-connected water channels that once, together with the Etosha Pan, formed the inland delta of the Kunene River. The Oshanas and many small lakes stayed behind and are nowadays only replenished by rain water, which still drains into the northern Etosha Pan.

Oshakati
Situated only about 50km apart from Ondangwa, Oshakati is the fast-growing vibrant economic centre of the Oshana Region and in fact of the entire northern centre of Namibia. This sprawling city whose number of inhabitants and business revenues have long surpassed those of Namibia's capital, Windhoek, also attracts an ever-increasing number of tourists with its colourful open-air markets, shebeens (traditional, informal bars) and workshops producing traditional handicraft.

Places of interest in and around Oshakati should also only be visited in the company of an experienced guide, as it is easy to get lost when leaving the main roads of the old town centre.

Oshikoto Region

-

most eastern of
the four regions, bordering the Otjozondjupa and Kavango Regions

Etosha National Park
Etosha National Park is one of Southern Africa's finest and most important Game Reserves. It was declared a National Park in 1907 and covering an area of 22 270 square km, it is home to 114 mammal species, 340 bird species, 110 reptile species, 16 amphibian species and, surprisingly, one species of fish.

The eastern half of the park is dominated by the vast Etosha Pan, a shallow depression whose crystalline surface glitters in the sun, often creating mirages of water where there is nothing but barren ground. Nomadic San (bushmen) who once regularly hunted around the pan named it Etosha - the place of dry water.

Its table-flat surface was created by the Kunene River whose excess water used to drain though the Oshana System into the pan forming an inland delta. Today, the pan can only be seen covered by a thin layer of water in years of exceptionally heavy rainfalls in the area but the spectacle is normally gone within a few days because of Namibia's arid climate that leads to rapid evaporation.

Lake Guineas
Lake Guineas, is situated southwest of Lake Otjikoto, and suspected to be connected to it as well as a larger underground water system. Rare fish species have been identified to live in this lake but are seldom seen at its surface.

Lake Otjikoto
Part of an underground river system, the lake was exposed when the roof of what was a large dolomite cave fell in. The lake is small with a diameter of about 102m, but very deep, with a depth estimated to be in excess of 142m in places.

Lake Otjikoto is easily accessible and entrance fees are payable on the spot.

Tsumeb
Tsumeb lies in the so-called "Otavi Triangle"; the area between the towns of Tsumeb, Otavi in the south-west and Grootfontein in the south-east. The "Garden Town" of Tsumeb, with its 15 000 inhabitants, is economically dependent on the mining industry. Already ancient bushmen found copper here, in a malachite hill, which they bartered for tobacco with the Ovambo.
• Arts & Crafts
The Tsumeb Arts and Crafts Centre presents a great variety of African artwork and curios.
• Tsumeb Cultural Village
Located at the southern entrance to town, this community project is an open air museum that gives visitors an insight into the rural life of Namibian tribes.
• Tsumeb Museum
The museum lies in Main Street, opposite a park with beautiful old shade trees. It houses a stunning collection of minerals found in the Tsumeb Mine as well as relicts from Namibia's German-colonial era, and thus is a must for all those interested in geology or history.

Tulongeni Craft Market
In the town of Omuthiya, Tulongeni Craft Market is brightly painted in orange, yellow and green and surrounded by mahangu fields.

Continue with
Otjozondjupa Region - Bushmanland / Central Highlands / Otavi-Grootfontein-Tsumeb Triangle / Waterberg Plateau

or read about places of interest in other Namibian Regions by using

the quick links above