Rundu

Kavango - Namibia

Bordering on Angola in the Kavango region of northeastern Namibia, lies the town of Rundu. Although not a particularly scenic town it is situated on the Kavango River and does offer some beautiful river views. This rapidly growing town is the administrative center and main economic hub of the Kavango region. The area produces mahangu (millet), cattle, goats and wood carvings.

Due to it's close proximity to Angola, Rundu has a slight Portuguese influence. The closest large towns are Katima Mulilo, around 500km's to the east, and Grootfontein, 250km's south west. This remote location makes Rundu an obvious refueling stop and also makes the lodges in and around the town and ideal stop over. Many tourists use Rundu as a stopover when heading to or from The Etosha National Park and on to the Caprivi Strip, Bwabwata National Park, Mudumu National Park, the Okavango Delta and Chobe National Park. All bus services between Windhoek and Victoria Falls, Livingstone and Harare also pass through Rundu.

It is thought the town of Rundu developed as a meeting point for local men seeking work. From here they would be bussed as cheap labour to farms & mines in central Namibia. This exodus of young locals from the Kavango region to urban centres is still prevalent today.

With the expansion of tourism into the area one of the most important local industries has become wood carving. Useful items such as wooden spoons and bowls as well as masks & ornaments are carved at a variety of locations in and around Rundu. Around 30km east of Rundu at the Sambyu Museum there is a collection of Kavango & Angolan crafts, the items are dominated by wood carvings but also include stone implements.

In Rundu itself at the Mbungura Woodcraft Co-operative visitors can see carvers at work as well as purchase a variety of carvings. Some of the skills used in the carving have been handed down through the generations resulting in quality items, but with the growing demand generated for these items by an expanding tourist market many items are mass produced and lack the quality found in older pieces.

View more pictures:

Divava Okavango Lodge

An upmarket lodge and spa on the banks of the Kavango River

Hakusembe River Lodge

Small lodge situated close to the town of Rundu

Kaisosi River Lodge

Another lodge close to Rundu, offers good fishing

Kavango River Lodge

Situated on the banks of the river (hence the name) in Rundu

Mahangu Safari Lodge

Situated close to the Mahangu Park in west Caprivi - this is an excellent stop-over between Namibia, Maun (in Botswana) and the Victoria Falls

Ngepi Camp

A rustic river side campsite and lodge offering excellent value for money

Nunda Lodge

Close to Popa Falls and the Mahango Reserve this lodge offers stunning river views

Ndhovu Lodge

Refreshingly, and surprisingly for the area, this lodge does not have the word 'River' as part of its name. Do not be misled it is situated on the banks of the river opposite the Caprivi Game Park (Bwabwata National Park)