Rundu

With around 63,000 inhabitants (2011), Rundu is the second largest city in Namibia and the main city of the Kavango region in northeastern Namibia. The city sits on a hill on the south bank of the Okavango, the border river to Angola to the north of the river. The surrounding area is characterized by tropical woodlands and river savannas.

Understand
The city of Rundu is the economic and cultural centre of Kavango, and compared to other Namibian cities, much more authentically African. The city has a lively market life with numerous market halls and street markets, which offer fish and other food from fishermen and farmers, as well as African handicrafts from the Kavango wood carvers.

The Kavango region is the poorest region in Namibia but the city is located at a strategic crossroad and has, since peace and stability returned to Angola, lots of potential to develop to a bustling border town.

As a frontier-town, Rundu is a commercial city which attracts cross-border business. The economy of greater Rundu is both urban and rural with a prevalence of service economy, in particular trading. The majority (82%) of the business operations fall into the non-formal sector with 80% trading as "sole proprietors". Rundu is a safe place for travelers and the ideal one night stop over before venturing into the wild Kavango and Caprivi bush lands.

By plane
Rundu Airport receives direct scheduled flights from Windhoek. However, the airport is used more by local charter airlines.

By bus
There are Intercape Mainliner bus connections on the route between Windhoek and Victoria Falls.

By car
Rundu is mostly used as a stopover from Namibia to the remote Caprivi Strip. It is around 2 hours by car from Grootfontein: 250 km on the B8 national road, a well-developed trunk road.

See
The Kavango River at Rundu Beach.

Do
You can go kayaking on the Kavango River. For example a good start is from Tambuti Lodge at Rundu Beach. Canoes and kayaks are safe and less polluting than motorboats and ideal to explore the peace of the riverbeds, go bird-watching and spot a hungry snake or crocodile on the shore (the latter do not attack boats).

Various operators offer activities such as river tours, safaris and sightseeing flights. You can also fish tiger tetra in the Okavango. Bookings can be made on site at short notice.

After that you can have a cool drink at Tambuti Bar overlooking the river and mingle with the locals.

Buy
There are four service stations in Rundu to fill up your vehicle, a shopping mall and supermarkets in the centre of town.

There are also nice woodcarvings on sale along side the main road going towards Rundu (from Mile 30 to Mile 10). Other carvings are at Mbangura and the Rundu Open Markets.