Welcome to Rundu

The closer you get to Rundu, the more frequently you find woodcarvers’ huts along the side of the road. The Kavango are skilful woodcarvers. They patiently wait at the roadside to offer their artwork to the few tourists.

Traveling from Grootfontein on the B8 north-east, the scenery becomes more and more African after about 100km. Small settlements of thatched rondavels spring up close to the road and the bushveld becomes denser and greener.

More trees grow here than in the south. Between the settlements, one can even find vegetable patches and maize and millet fields. There are no fences and often goats, sheep or cattle cross the road.

This is the communal settling area of the Kavango with the district capital Rundu. It is situated on the Okavango River, the lifeline of this region.

The slowly flowing river marks – for more than 400 kilometers – the border between Namibia and Angola, before it takes a turn to the south into the Okavango Delta, where it trickles away in a thousand little armlets in the Kalahari basin which has no outlet.

The Kavango people originates in Angola. Many came to Namibia during the civil war. But the border is practically non-existent, since the Kavango have been living for centuries on both sides of the Okavango River. Most families have relatives and friends on the other side.

The district capital Rundu is the only commercial center in the Kavango region. During the independence struggle, Rundu was the base of the South African military forces.

The little place of 50,000 inhabitants owes its tarred road, the B8, to the fact that it was the supply route to the north.

The town offers hardly any attraction, but lively markets in halls and on the streets where mainly fish produce of the local fishermen and farmers is for sale. And Rundu has beautiful spots on the river and spectacular sunsets.

Rundu is the gate to the Caprivi and here is the place to fill up the fuel tank and stock up on groceries. There is not much to buy later on the 500 km stretch of the Trans-Caprivi-Highway to Katima Mulilo.

Tourist Attractions in Rundu Namibia

The riverside town of Rundu, on the banks of the Okavango River, is situated in Kavango, the home of Namibia’s well-known Kavango woodcarvers.

It’s close to the Popa Falls and the Mahangu Game Reserve. Because of this unique location and the distances to get to these areas, it’s a good stopover place.

Local woodcarvers market

The town has a few choices for eating out as well as a tourism centre, a bank, fuel station, supermarket, post office and a woodcarvers market. They are also the suppliers for the craft market outside Okahandja, which you may well pass on your Namibia tour to or from Windhoek.

Although not the most interesting of towns, the area around it holds a few good lodges that offer good game viewing and comfortable accommodation.

This is usually a stop to break the journey for those on Namibia safari towards or from the lodges closer to the attraction areas. We do recommend stopping here to re-fuel as there isn’t fuel after Rundu until Katima Mulilo.

Mangetti National Park

The Mangetti National Park is 126km from Rundu, on the Trans-Caprivi B8. This park of 42,000 hectares was proclaimed in 2008 and offers visitors a savanna landscape, where many animals , wild Touvent it. The park entrance is N$ 40 per person and N$ 10 per vehicle.

Khaudum Game Reserve

Khaudum Game Reserve is located in the Kavango region about 150 km south-east of Rundu. The Khaudum Game Reserve is only accessible by 4×4, the park is open all year and an entry fee of N$ 40 per person and N$ 10 per vehicle is mandatory.

To date no accommodation is available in the reserve, the Khaudom remained wild Lion , Giraffe and other wildlife to share territory bush remained untouched.

Namibia -The Soul of Africa

Namibia is the soul of Africa, characterised by vast open spaces, breathtaking scenery and great contrasts – ocean, dunes, mountains and deserts. This vast desert country of rolling dunes and swirling mists stirs the spirit and moves the heart.

Namibia is so large and sparsely populated that it is possible to discover enormous open spaces without roads, towns, trees or even stones, just the lonely desert wind passing through one of the most enchanting corners of the earth.

Africa’s largest game park, the Namib-Naukluft Park, is a must see when on safari in Namibia, with its magnificent sea of rolling red dunes at Sossusvlei.

Etosha National Park is one of Africa’s great parks in both size and diversity of wildlife. In the country’s far north eastern pocket is the captivating and largely unexplored Caprivi Strip.

• Explore ancient ruins, historical landmark
• Immersive cultural experiences, local.
• Hiking, trekking, extreme sports, and out.
• A romantic destination like Paris, Venice.
• Kid-friendly activities, theme parks family.
• Premium accommodations, gourmet.

The closer you get to Rundu, the more frequently you find woodcarvers’ huts along the side of the road. The Kavango are skilful woodcarvers. They patiently wait at the roadside to offer their artwork