Otjozondjupa

Otjozondjupa is a region in eastern central Namibia.

Cities

 * — near the Hoba meteorite, the world's largest meteorite
 * — the Garden Town of Namibia
 * — hosts the annual Okakarara trade fair
 * — near the Elefantenberg (elephant mountain)
 * — the Waterberg Plateau is home to over 200 species of birds
 * — the centre of Bushmanland, the home of the San people

Other destinations

 * a hot water springs and spa. Ruins of an old mission station are also still visible
 * — a small National Park around the Waterberg table mountain

Understand
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.

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

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

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:

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
 * Omaheke region in the southeast