About Outjo Town
Outjo is a developing town situated in north western Namibia in the great Kunene region. Gateway to the Etosha National Park and the Rock Finger 35m monolith (Vingerklip), Outjo is a tourism hub of the region strategically located for economic growth while maintaining cultural and historical roots. Just beyond Outjo, a nature experience awaits your arrival. With a population of over 25 000, Oujo (Otjiherero: small hills) is a town of hope and endless opportunities. Whether you are visiting or passing through, the town offers various attractions and activities such as the Franke Haus Museum and the Stone Tower a 9.4m tall historical monument for a windmill that pumped water. Equally so, a Naulila Monument: a memorial commemorating 12 soldiers who died on 18 December 1914 at Fort Naulila.
Namibia (SWA) Gemstone, a well known local jewelry shop in Outjo offers state of the art jewelry with a wide selection of minerals and gems. Enjoy a delicious cup of Coffee at the famous Outjo Bakery while you figure out your next stop in the jaw dropping Damara Land.
History of Outjo Town
Outjo was founded by Colonial Germany under the command of Colonel Theodor von Leutwein in 1897 as a small military base in order to explore the northern area of the then South West Africa contemporary Namibia. The San and the Damaran were the first people to migrate to Outjo in the late 1890’s. Outjo is now typically occupied by the Ovahereo, Ovambo, San, Damaran (#Nu-Khoen) and white Namibian tribes. Known as the tourism hub in the great Kunene region, Outjo is the gateway to Etosha, Damara-land and the Kaokoland.
Cultural Groups in Outjo Community
The Herero/Himba people migrated into the Outjo district from Kaokoland in the late 18th/early 19th century as part of a southward movement for grazing land. Herero/Himba people mostly farm with cattle and Outjo, meaning “small rock/hills” in Otjiherero, was a perfect grazing area for their cattle. Outjo was a predominantly Herero settlement area before becoming a German military base in the 1890s. The Herero/Himba have since settled in the Outjo district.
The Damaran (#Nukhoen) people, are among Namibia’s oldest inhabitants, historically occupied central Namibia, including Outjo.
The Haiǁom San, the largest San group in Namibia, traditionally inhabited the areas around Outjo, Etosha, and Tsumeb, living as semi-nomadic hunter-gatherers until colonization.
Attractions in Outjo and Around Outjo
Outjo is a developing town situated in north western Namibia in the great Kunene region. Gateway to the Etosha National Park and the Rock Finger 35m monolith (Vingerklip), Outjo is a tourism hub of the region strategically located for economic growth while maintaining cultural and historical roots. Just beyond Outjo, a nature experience awaits your arrival. With a population of over 25 000, Oujo (Otjiherero: small hills) is a town of hope and endless opportunities. Whether you are visiting or passing through, the town offers various attractions and activities such as the Franke Haus Museum and the Stone Tower a 9.4m tall historical monument for a windmill that pumped water. Equally so, a Naulila Monument: a memorial commemorating 12 soldiers who died on 18 December 1914 at Fort Naulila.
Namibia (SWA) Gemstone, a well known local jewelry shop in Outjo offers state of the art jewelry with a wide selection of minerals and gems. Enjoy a delicious cup of Coffee at the famous Outjo Bakery while you figure out your next stop in the jaw dropping Damara Land.