Four-O region

The Four-O region (after its administrative divisions Oshana, Oshikoto, Ohangwena, Omusati) is a region in central northern Namibia. It is Namibia's most densely populated area though still primarily rural.

Cities

 * — a trading town on the Angolan border
 * — capital of the Oshikoto region
 * — amidst the dramatic scenery of the Kaoko and Damara regions, in the vicinity of Etosha National Park
 * — capital of the Oshana region and one of Namibia's largest cities
 * — on the border with Angola, it is Namibia's busiest border post
 * — home to a famous baobab tree, whose huge hollow trunk has been used as a post office, a chapel, and a coffee shop, and now houses a craft shop
 * — the "gateway to the north" of Namibia, and the closest town to the Etosha National Park

Other destinations

 * — the second largest of Namibia's game reserves; its waterholes attract animals in this dry land

Understand
The region is also known as Ovamboland, although this name reminds some Namibians of the South African regime, as this was the name of the bantustan for the Ovambo people, Namibia's largest ethnic group. When Namibians refer to "the North" they also usually means this region, although other regions are just as far north as the Four-O.

Four-O borders Angola in the north, and the Namibian regions of Otjozondjupa in the southeast, Kunene in the south and west, and Kavango in the east.

Get in
Due to the scarcity of other options, most travellers will arrive by car. There are two major highways in the region. The B1 connects the capital Windhoek to Tsumeb and Ondangwa, and the B10 connects Okongo to Rundu.

By rail
While there is a railway line from the capital Windhoek to Ondangwa, the much-celebrated Omugulugwombashe Express packed up after a few weeks of service in 2006 and has not been scheduled since.

By air
Ondangwa has a regional airport with scheduled flights to Windhoek and Walvis Bay.

By public transport
Between towns you can catch a minibus. Oshakati and Ondangwa are on the route of the big coaches that travel between Windhoek and Lusaka.

Get around
The B-roads are tarred and in very good condition. The C45 to Eenhana, the C41 from Oshakati to Okahao, and the C46 from Ondangwa to Ruacana are tarred as well. All other C-roads are gravel roads and in fair condition, easily passable with an ordinary sedan. Other roads (D-roads and those without letters or numbers) tend to be rough, sandy, heavily corrugated, and will further deteriorate after rainfall.

Sleep
Apart from the Etosha National Park the region is touristically not well developed. However, as it is a rather densely populated area and an economic hub, there is plenty of accommodation, suitable for the business traveller. So instead of walking tours or wildlife observation the typical offer on top of bed and breakfast is to iron your business attire.

Stay safe
All of northern Namibia is a Malaria risk zone. Take the necessary precautions.

Go next
Four-O shares a border with Angola in the north. Domestically, the following regions of Namibia border with Kavango:
 * Otjozondjupa region in the southeast
 * Kunene region in the south and west
 * Kavango region in the east