Ohangwena Region: Landscape and History

The Ohangwena Region lies in north-central Namibia on a flat plain, around 1,100 metres above sea level. Its landscape and history offer different starting points for planning a trip: the east and west differ in their vegetation and drainage, while Eenhana and Omhedi are associated with regional remembrance.

A flat landscape with distinct features

Kalahari woodlands, shrubs and bushy vegetation shape the landscape in the east of the region. In the west, Cuvelai Oshanas form a drainage network that carries water and sediment deposits from higher-lying areas of Angola. This east-west contrast provides a clear way to explore the different landscape features of Ohangwena.

The region lies in the Cuvelai Basin. Its very flat landscape comprises sediments of silt, clay and sandstone. Together with the plain and its approximate elevation, these features create a landscape better described by its wide, flat expanses than by significant changes in elevation. The sediment types and the drainage network are two distinct aspects: one describes the landscape of the basin, while the other describes the role of the Cuvelai Oshanas in the west.

For travellers particularly interested in landscapes, it is worth looking at both sides of the region: the vegetation in the east and the Oshanas in the west. Information about the plain, the basin and the Oshanas helps place Ohangwena in its landscape context without reducing the region’s character to a single feature.

History and remembrance in Eenhana and Omhedi

Eenhana is the capital of the Ohangwena Region and an important point of reference for its history. At least five mass graves of SWAPO resistance fighters from the Namibian War of Independence against South Africa are located there. The Eenhana Memorial Shrine was built by the government in 2008 to commemorate the lives lost in the liberation struggle.

Another historical designation is associated with the Eenhana Shrine in Ohangwena: the National Heritage Council of Namibia designated it a Heritage Place on 8 August 2011. Together with the mass graves and the Memorial Shrine, these details offer insight into different aspects of regional history and remembrance. They provide a way to explore the historical themes associated with Eenhana.

Omhedi is also associated with a historical account. According to the Omhedi Eco Cultural Lodge, Omhedi is the sacred place where King Mandume yaNdemufayo, Namibia’s national hero, made his final stand in 1917. The Omhedi Eco Cultural Lodge also states that the royal residence of Queen Martha Mwandinomho yaKristian Nelumbu, Ohamba of Oukwanyama, is located there. Omhedi is therefore another point of interest for travellers interested in history and culture.

When planning a hotel stay in the Ohangwena Region, you can first choose your focus based on your interests: would you like to learn more about the flat landscape, vegetation and Cuvelai Oshanas, or about the places of remembrance and historical associations of Eenhana and Omhedi? These topics offer different perspectives on the region and can help you plan your trip accordingly.

Discover more destinations: Oshikango, Kavango, Karas, Khomas, Hardap, Kunene, Zambezi Region, Omusati

Return to the main travel overview: Namibia.