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Central Region of Namibia
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The Central Region is edged by two
deserts, the Namib desert to the West and the Kalahari to the East.
Traveling north one perceives that the region is rich in mineral wealth
and animal life, while southwards there is a vast plain of scrub and
rock. |
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The Central Region is dominated by
Namibia's capital,
Windhoek. As it has an international airport, Windhoek is a
convenient point for overseas tourists to begin or end their tours, as
well as providing a good base for local excursions.
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Main tourist
attractions include:
Arnhem Cave - about 100km south east of Windhoek and the airport
Daan Viljoen Game Park - west of Windhoek
Gross-Barmen Hot Springs Resort - west of Okahandja
The Gamsberg - south west of Windhoek on road C26
The city of Windhoek
Von Bach Recreation Resort - outside Okhandja |
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There are a number of
recreation resorts and guest farms close enough to Windhoek for day and
weekend excursions.
These include the Daan Viljoen Game Park, Gross-Barmen Hot Springs
Resort, Von Bach Recreation Resort, 65 km to the north at Okahandja and
the Reho Spa Recreation Resort in Rehoboth, 90 km on the B1 south of
Windhoek.
There are many guest farms in the Central
Region offering visitors a bush experience of which several are close to
Windhoek.
Dordabis
The small town of Dordabis at the end of the tarred C23 has in recent years
attracted the attention of several artists and craftspeople, especially
weavers, who came to live here. Weavers include the Ibenstein weaving
workshop, Karamat on the farm Beenbreck and African Kirikara Art with its
workshop on the farm Kiripotib, which is also a guest farm.
Most of the guest farms in the area around Dordabis and Gobabis promote
hunting and not only game viewing.
Okahandja
Okahandja, 72km north of Windhoek has a deep historical significance for the
Herero people. Every year, usually on the last Sunday in August, they gather
together for their annual pilgrimage to the graves of their ancestors buried
in the town. On the outskirts of the town there is a large open-air arts and
crafts market.
The Gross Barmen Hot Springs Resort north of town with its large indoor
thermal bath and open-air swimming-pool has a restful atmosphere. Visitors
enjoy bathing in the warm, mineral-rich waters. Accommodation includes
furnished air-conditioned luxury units as well as small bungalows.
Karibib
The small town of Karibib on the main route between Windhoek and Swakopmund
is known for its marble quarries and wide selection of gemstones. The
Navachab Gold Mine has contributed to the prosperity of the town which has
two hotels and several guest farms in the area.
Usakos
The Erongo Mountains north of Usakos contain many fine specimen of rock
paintings, the most well known being the White Elephant in the Phillips Cave
on the guest farm Ameib Ranch.This can only be reached on foot and it takes
about 45 minutes to walk there.
Rising abruptly from the arid Namib plain is the Spitzkoppe, home of a
number of rock paintings, and its volcanic mountain peaks which reach a
height of 1829m is a challenge to mountaineers.
Omaruru
From Omaruru, a pretty town east of the spectacular Erongo Mountains, the
road to the north passes through Kalkfeld. Dinosaur footprints, a cluster of
small, shallow depressions in the rock face, can be seen on the farm Otjihaenamaparero which is 29 km from the town. Judged to be between 150 and
185 million years old, the footprints have been declared a national
monument.
Rehoboth
On B1 south of Windhoek, was established by settlers of mixed parentage. The
history of the Baster people is documented in the Rehoboth museum.
The Reho Spa Recreation Resort is situated south of Rehoboth. |