Oshikoto: Discover Etosha, culture and history

Etosha National Park, cultural villages and museums, as well as the Adoni Plateau, represent different themes in Oshikoto. Wildlife viewing, cultural interpretation and history offer various points of reference when deciding what to focus on during your trip. The two park gates and the different museum themes provide concrete points of reference.

Wildlife viewing in Etosha National Park

Etosha National Park in the Oshikoto Region offers opportunities for wildlife viewing. Species include elephants, rhinos, springboks, lions, impalas, leopards, kudus, zebras and giraffes; their availability may vary. If wildlife viewing is important to your travel decision, the park offers a concrete connection with nature, without guaranteeing any particular sightings. The variety of species mentioned makes this focus tangible, while cultural sites and museums appeal to other interests.

Two entrances to the park

King Nehale lya Mpingana Gate is an entrance to Etosha National Park in Oshikoto. It can be reached from Omuthiya Town or via the Main Road, and is 17 km from the B1. Von Lindequist Gate is also an entrance to the park in Oshikoto. It is located in the east and connected to the B1; Tsumeb is the nearest town. The reference points for navigation differ: King Nehale lya Mpingana can be located by way of Omuthiya Town, the Main Road and its distance from the B1, while Von Lindequist is identified by its eastern location, connection to the B1 and proximity to Tsumeb.

Cultural villages in Oshikoto

Oshikulu Cultural Village is located in the village of Oshikulu, in the Onyaanya Constituency in the Oshikoto Region. As a living museum, it is dedicated to Oshiwambo culture and introduces visitors to intangible cultural heritage. Opening arrangements may change, so check the latest information before your visit. Helvi Mpingana Kondombolo Cultural Village in Tsumeb is an open-air museum intended to introduce various Namibian cultures to locals and tourists. Their thematic focuses differ: Oshikulu focuses on Oshiwambo culture and intangible cultural heritage, while the open-air museum in Tsumeb explores different Namibian cultures and how they are presented to locals and tourists.

Museum and the history of Lake Otjikoto

Tsumeb Museum is dedicated to the mining industry and its history in Tsumeb. Another focus is the artillery thrown into Lake Otjikoto by the German Schutztruppe during the First World War to prevent Allied forces from using it against German colonial troops. This brings together the history of mining in Tsumeb and a specific event from the First World War as two distinct themes.

Regional history also includes an account of the names of Lake Otjikoto. The San knew the lake as Gaisis, meaning “ugly”; the Herero called it Otjikoto, which means “deep hole” in Otjiherero. These different meanings offer a glimpse into two naming traditions for the same lake.

The Adoni Plateau

The Adoni Plateau is a geographical feature of the Oshikoto Region. It adds a distinct landscape reference to the region, while Etosha National Park is associated with opportunities for wildlife viewing.

Discover more destinations: Omuthiya, Okaukuejo, Fort Namutoni, Tsumeb, Halali, Ondangwa, Otjozondjupa, Omaheke

For the broader travel overview: Namibia.