Fort Namutoni in the wider region

In the wider region around Fort Namutoni, Namutoni Resort is located in the eastern part of Etosha National Park. The park is part of the broader destination of Oshikoto and offers opportunities for wildlife viewing. This allows you to plan your trip around different interests: nature viewing in Etosha National Park or culture and history in the wider Oshikoto region.

Wildlife viewing in Etosha National Park

Species that can be seen in Etosha National Park include elephants, rhinoceroses, springboks, lions, impalas, leopards, kudus, zebras and giraffes. The species seen during wildlife viewing may vary. The list therefore gives an impression of the range of possible sightings, but does not guarantee that you will see any particular animal. If wildlife is a key factor in planning your trip, you can consider it one of the highlights of the broader destination of Oshikoto.

Entrances to Etosha National Park in Oshikoto

Two entrances to Etosha National Park are described to help you get your bearings in the broader destination. King Nehale lya Mpingana Gate is in the Oshikoto Region. It can be reached from Omuthiya Town or via the Main Road, and is 17 km from the B1. Von Lindequist Gate is also in Oshikoto, located in the east and connected to the B1; Tsumeb is the nearest town.

The information uses different reference points: for King Nehale lya Mpingana Gate, it mentions Omuthiya Town and the distance to the B1. For Von Lindequist Gate, it highlights its eastern location, connection to the B1 and Tsumeb as the nearest town.

Culture and history in the broader destination

In the broader destination of Oshikoto, the traditional names for Lake Otjikoto also offer insight into the region’s cultural history. A regional account from 2023 records the historical names: the San knew the lake as Gaisis, meaning “ugly”. The Herero called it Otjikoto, which means “deep hole” in Otjiherero. The two names offer different linguistic interpretations of the same lake.

In the broader destination of Oshikoto, Oshikulu Cultural Village is located in Oshikulu village, in the Onyaanya constituency. Its living museum is dedicated to Oshiwambo culture and presents visitors with intangible cultural heritage. If you plan to visit Oshikulu Cultural Village, check the current opening arrangements beforehand, as they may change.

Another cultural highlight in the broader destination of Oshikoto is Helvi Mpingana Kondombolo Cultural Village in Tsumeb. The open-air museum in Tsumeb aims to introduce locals and tourists to the different cultures of Namibia. In the broader destination of Oshikoto, Tsumeb Museum focuses on the mining industry and its history in Tsumeb, as well as the artillery that the German Schutztruppe threw into Lake Otjikoto during the First World War. This was intended to prevent Allied forces from using it against German colonial troops.

The places and topics mentioned have different areas of focus—from Oshiwambo cultural heritage and Namibia’s various cultures to mining and wartime history.

Discover more destinations: Tsumeb, Halali, Omuthiya, Okaukuejo, Ondangwa.

View the broader travel overview: Oshikoto.