Discover Kavango: Routes and History

Nkurenkuru as a Point of Reference

Nkurenkuru is the regional capital of the Kavango West Region and a prominent point of reference for travellers looking to discover Kavango through its routes and local history. Two routes begin in Nkurenkuru; several historical sites are also located in the town. For your planning, you can consider these aspects separately: a route’s course places the region in its spatial context, while the sites provide a specific connection to the place. Consider whether you would first like to focus on a scenic route or on the local history of Nkurenkuru.

Two Routes, Different Directions

The Kavango Open Africa Route is approximately 383 kilometres long and runs from Nkurenkuru in the west to Mohembo in the east. It follows the Kavango’s river landscapes and highlights its people, birds and wildlife. The endpoints and approximate length make its west–east orientation tangible; its themes connect the landscape and nature with the people of the region. For context, these provide two different points of reference: a route’s spatial framework and its thematic focus. If you explore Kavango via this route, you can decide whether the region’s expanse or its connection to nature and landscape should be the stronger influence on your plans.

The Four River Route leads from Nkurenkuru in the northeast through the Zambezi Region, formerly the Caprivi Strip. Compared with the Kavango Open Africa Route, this offers a different geographical perspective: here, the focus is on the northeast direction through Zambezi, while the other route runs west to east between Nkurenkuru and Mohembo. Its approximate length of 383 kilometres adds a sense of scale to this second point of reference. When planning, you can consider whether the direction and region traversed, or the endpoints and route length, provide the best structure for your route selection.

Historical Sites in Nkurenkuru

Historical sites also offer a distinct way to discover Nkurenkuru. The Royal Graveyard of Kings and Queens near Mayara is located in the town. Other historical sites include a cemetery for German soldiers and police officers, as well as a cemetery for Finnish missionaries. The Finnish missionaries’ cemetery is in the area of the Lutheran mission in Nkurenkuru. When planning a historical visit, it helps to distinguish between the locations; check in advance whether visits to each site are possible.

The first building, a school and a church are also among the historical sites mentioned in Nkurenkuru. These places extend the town’s history beyond burial sites: the first building offers an architectural point of reference, while the school and church represent other types of historical sites. This gives you a distinction for choosing a theme: burial sites on the one hand, and the town’s built and institutional history on the other.

Discover more destinations: Divundu, Mahango, Ndiyona, Rundu, Bagani, Ohangwena Region, Kunene, Khomas.

For the broader travel overview: Namibia.