Gateway to Kaokoland
Opuwo serves as the bustling administrative, commercial, and cultural capital of the Kunene Region in northwestern Namibia. Situated deep within the rugged and remote Kaokoland region, it acts as the vital service and supply center for the surrounding rural communities and remote outposts. The local economy is driven by regional governance, retail trade, livestock farming, and a unique tourism sector drawn by the region's dramatic landscapes and living indigenous cultures. Opuwo is globally renowned as a rare meeting point where modern civic development exists side-by-side with traditional ways of life, most notably serving as the primary gateway for experiencing the authentic heritage of the Himba, Zemba, and Herero peoples.
Key Tourist Places of Interest & Landmarks
- Opuwo Open Market: A vibrant economic and social hub where local vendors trade fresh produce, traditional crafts, and supplies, serving as a lively daily meeting ground for diverse regional cultures.
- Himba Cultural Villages (Surrounding Area): Guided access points to traditional pastoralist settlements, offering respectful cultural exchanges and insights into the nomadic lifestyle, architecture, and unique traditions of the Himba people.
- Epupa Falls (Regional Gateway): Positioned as the main northern staging and fueling base for rugged 4x4 expeditions heading further north to the breathtaking waterfalls along the Kunene River.
- Opuwo Town Viewpoint: An elevated ridge overlooking the sprawling valley and townscape, providing panoramic views of the surrounding rugged mopane woodlands and distant mountain ranges.
- Kunene Regional Museum & Craft Centre: A local cultural initiative highlighting the history, ethnography, and intricate artisan work of Kaokoland’s indigenous communities.
Accommodation & Hospitality
| Business Name | International Phone | Address / Details |
|---|---|---|
| EPUPA FALLS GUEST HOUSE | +264 60 8044192 | Box 127 | Switch 060 804 4192 | Cell 081 305 7369 |
| OHAKANE LODGE & SAFARIS | +264 65 273031 | Accommodation/Car Hire/Safaris | Main Rd Box 8 | Fax 27 3025 |
| OPUWO COUNTRY HOTEL | +264 65 273461 | Fax 27 3051 |
| OPUWO MOUNTAIN CAMP | +264 60 8067739 | Bed & Breakfast & Camp-Site | Fax 27 3575 | Cell 081 451 0674 | Web~www.opuwomoutaincamp@yahoo.com |
| RIKONDJERA GUEST HOUSE | +264 65 273136 | |
| UNITING GUEST HOUSE | +264 65 273400 |
Agriculture & Farming
| Business Name | International Phone | Address / Details |
|---|---|---|
| MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE DEES OTJISOKO TJOGAVAHQ | +264 65 685087 | P/Bag 3013 Opuwo | Fax 68 5590 | Cell 081 375 3648 | E-Mail~extopuwo@iway.na |
| MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE, WATER & FORESTRY | +264 65 273154 | Directorate of Veterinary Services 27 3154 | Directorate of Rural Water Supply 27 3012 | General & Auxilliary Services 27 3123 | Fax 27 3105 | Forestry Office 27 3003 |
Automotive & Repairs
| Business Name | International Phone | Address / Details |
|---|---|---|
| AUTO PROFFESSIONAL REPAIR | +264 65 273297 | |
| MINISTRY OF WORKS, TRANSPORT & COMMUNICATION | +264 65 273480 | Department of Works | District Office 27 3480 | P/Bag 5536 | Fax 27 3090 | Government Garage 27 3175 | P/Bag 3005 27 3470 | Fax 27 3396 |
| WESSTECH AUTO REPAIR CC | +264 65 273494 | Fax 27 3495 |
Construction & Engineering
| Business Name | International Phone | Address / Details |
|---|---|---|
| KOFIEKAN CONSTRUCTION CC | +264 65 273498 |
Education & Schools
| Business Name | International Phone | Address / Details |
|---|---|---|
| MINISTRY OF EDUCATION | +264 65 273186 | District Office 27 3186 | Box 3034 27 3266 | Fax 27 3189 | Hijaukambe Primary School 27 3207 | P/Bag 3034 | Kameru Primary School 27 3061 | Mureti Secondary School 27 3023 | Hostel 27 3009 | Opuwo Primary School 27 3047 | Hostel 27 3469 | Putwavanga Junior Secondary School 27 3072 | Hostel 27 3482 | Training Resource Centre 27 3112 | Fax 27 3112 | Public/Community Library 27 3195 |
| ONDAO MOBILE SCHOOL | +264 65 273386 | Box 51 27 3299 | Fax 27 3386 |
Financial, Legal & Property
| Business Name | International Phone | Address / Details |
|---|---|---|
| ALL NATION CASH LOAN CC | +264 60 8017448 | Switch 060 801 7448 |
| BANK WINDHOEK | +264 65 273258 | Main Rd Box 326 | Fax 27 3477 | Help Desk Emergency Numbers (061) 299 1200 | Lost/Stolen Cards & ATM Services 081 251 2425 |
| FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF NAMIBIA LTD | +264 65 273273 | P/Bag 5510 Oshakati | Fax 27 3274 |
| KIINGE INSURANCE BROKERS CC | +264 65 273067 | 27 3068 |
| ORION FINANCIAL AID CC | +264 65 273063 | Box 8189 Swakopmund |
| RICHROAD INVESTMENTS | +264 65 273241 | |
| STANDARD BANK | +264 65 273412 |
Food, Dining & Catering
| Business Name | International Phone | Address / Details |
|---|---|---|
| BONA INDEPENDENCE CATERING | +264 65 273490 | |
| KAOKOLAND RESTAURANT | +264 65 273095 | |
| OPUWO RECREATION CLUB | +264 65 273417 |
General / Unclassified Business
| Business Name | International Phone | Address / Details |
|---|---|---|
| AGRA \(KO-OP\) BPK | +264 65 273249 | Fax 27 3476 |
| CAPITAL EMPLOYEE BENEFITS CC | +264 65 273000 | |
| CONSERVANCY OFFICE UUKWALUUDI | +264 65 273099 | |
| GOOD NEWS COMMUNICATION CENTRE | +264 65 273558 | Fax 27 3583 |
| HEALTH OTJIWARONGO-KUNENE REGION | +264 65 273005 | |
| INTEGRATED RURAL DEVELOPMENT NATURE CONSERVATION | +264 65 273187 | |
| NAMIBIA POST LTD | +264 65 273013 | Fax 27 3013 |
| NAMIBIA WATER CORPORATION LTD | +264 65 714540 | |
| NAPWU | +264 65 273060 | Opuwo Branch | Mbumbijazo Muhaarukua St Box 20 Opuwo | Fax 27 3060 | E-Mail~opuwo@napwu.org.na |
| NORED ELECTRICITY \(PTY\) LTD | +264 65 273312 | Fax 27 3323 | E-Mail~info@nored.com.na | Customer Reporting Centre 23 1925 | Free Call 0800 00 0100 |
| NORTHERN NAMIBIA DEVELOPMENT COMPANY \(PTY\) LTD | +264 65 685014 | 68 5015 |
| PINNACLE PRINT CC | +264 65 273344 | Fax2Mail 088 64 1879 |
Government & Public Sector
| Business Name | International Phone | Address / Details |
|---|---|---|
| KUNENE REGIONAL COUNCIL | +264 65 273950 | Mbumijazo Muharukua St P/Bag 502 | Fax 27 3077 |
| MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS & IMMIGRATION | +264 65 273198 | Population 27 3198 | Fax 27 3304 |
| MINISTRY OF LANDS & RESETTLEMENT | +264 65 273487 | P/Bag 3025 |
| MINISTRY OF VETERANS AFFAIRS | +264 65 273574 | Box 56 Opuwo |
| MINISTRY OF YOUTH NATIONAL SERVICE SPORTS & CULTURE | +264 65 273195 | Office 27 3195 | P/Bag 3022 | Fax 27 3195 |
| NAMIBIAN POLICE SEE POLICE | +264 65 273041 | |
| OTJIKAOKO TRADITIONAL AUTHORITY | +264 65 273107 | |
| POLICE | +264 65 273041 | Charge Office 27 3041 | Station Commander 27 3074 | Special Branch 27 3033 |
| ROADS AUTHORITY MAINTENANCE | +264 65 273598 | Vita Tom St 27 3427 | Fax 27 3599 |
| TOWN COUNCIL OF OPUWO | +264 65 273007 | Box 294 | Fax 27 3032 |
Medical & Healthcare
| Business Name | International Phone | Address / Details |
|---|---|---|
| MINISTRY OF HEALTH & SOCIAL SERVICES | +264 65 272800 | P/Bag 3003 | State Hospital 27 2800 | Fax 27 3082 |
| NAMIBIA INSTITUTE OF PATHOLOGY \(N I P\) LIMITED | +264 65 273271 | |
| PULPMED DENTAL SERVICES CC | +264 65 273603 |
Professional & Business Services
| Business Name | International Phone | Address / Details |
|---|---|---|
| FALCON-AFRICAN SECURITY HOLDING | +264 65 273581 | |
| NORTHER QUALITY TOMBSTONE & FUNERAL SERVICES | +264 65 273356 | |
| OKATEMBA FUNERAL SERVICES | +264 65 273389 |
Religious & Community
| Business Name | International Phone | Address / Details |
|---|---|---|
| CHURCH OF THE NAZARENE | +264 65 273533 | |
| ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH | +264 65 273413 | RODRIGUES JL 27 3413 | Mission 27 3194 | Fax 27 3276 |
Retail & Wholesale
| Business Name | International Phone | Address / Details |
|---|---|---|
| DUNNS STORE | +264 65 273150 | Fax 27 3150 |
| KUNENE BOTTLE STORE | +264 65 273519 | Fax 27 3159 |
| OPUWO SUPER MARKET | +264 65 273172 | |
| OPUWO TRADING ENTERPRISES CC | +264 65 273511 | |
| STYLE CLOTHING CC | +264 65 273506 | Fax 27 3506 |
Tourism & Travel
| Business Name | International Phone | Address / Details |
|---|---|---|
| MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT & TOURISM | +264 65 273003 | Resource Management 27 3003 | Fax 27 3171 |
| OPUWO TOURISM CENTER | +264 65 273230 |