Grootfontein Namibia
Big Fountain, but the town is still known as Otjiwanda
- The Hillcrest of the Leopard.
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Grootfontein lays at the Eastern end of the
picturesque Otavi Mountains. The town is an ideal stay over place if
travelling to the northern Kavango - Caprivi Region. Local area
attractions include the Big Baobab Tree,
Gaub Cave and
Hoba
Meteorite.
In the early 1880s a group of Trek-Boers, from the
Transvaal, who became known as the Dorstland (thirst-land) Trekkers
trundled across the north of Namibia. Their leader
William Worthington Jordan
had promised them the founding of a new and free republic that they were
going to name
Upingtonia. On 21 April 1885 Jordan concluded with the Ovambo
Chief Kambonde of Ondongua the purchase of a tract of land south of the
Etosha Pan that included the Grootfontein - Otavi -
Tsumeb triangle, an
area of about 50,000 sq miles, for the sum of 300 British Pounds, 25
Rifles, an immunized horse and a barrel of brandy. Jordan distributed
the land amongst the Trek-Boers, but reserved for himself the mineral
rights. The deal that the Ovambo Chief Kambonde had made with
Jordan was the cause of
great concern to the Herero Paramount Chief Maharero for he considered
that the lands of the Grootfontein-Otavi-Tsumeb
triangle might be his. He sought the help of an old friend and
confident who had been in the country since 1858, Robert Lewis,
adventurer, elephant hunter, trader and a man known for 'getting
things done'. Lewis travelled north where he exerted his influence on the Ovambo
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Otjozondjupa Region |
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19º34'S 18º07'E |
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Map of Namibia |
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Map of Grootfontein |
Headmen to cancel the deal with Jordan. Returning payment to the
trek-boers was not an option for the Ovambos, and
Chief Nehale Mpingana provided a quick and simple solution by
attacking, looting and killing many of the trek-boers along with Jordan.
Some of the survivors managed to escape to Angola, their dream - independent
Republic of Upingtonia the victim of greed and political expediency.
Grootfontein Fort Museum
In 1896 the German Schutztruppe established a
presence at Grootfontein and built a fort. It was from here that a
patrol was sent to search for the survivors of the attack on the
small outpost at Namutoni by Ovambos on 28 January 1904. The
fortress now serves as a museum and is well worth a visit.
The old German fort was recently infiltrated by termites. By November
2005 sections of the fort had to be closed for repair. It was discovered the
busy insects had first built a command centre between the first level
ceiling and floor boards and then launched an all-out attack on the fort.
Above left
can be seen a termite damaged floor beam.
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Baobab Tree |
Colourful street in Grootfontein |
The Fort Museum |
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Grootfontein Museum has somehow
accumulated one of the best collections of crafts-machinery in the country. Here you can see how wagon
wheels were made and the machinery that was used to make
them and a host of other equipment all in
pristine condition.
The UNTAG uniform is that of a Swiss Medical Officer who
was stationed in Namibia with the United Nations
Transitional force that monitored the free and fair
elections that brought about the Republic of Namibia in
1990.
I'm told he's quite a celebrity with the Swiss tourists who
visit.
Termite Damage |
Wood Lathe |
UNTAG Uniform |
Wagon Wheel Jig |
Steam Roller |
The Museum has a Himba display room
with many of the traditional items of clothing along
with anklets, bracelets and necklaces. If you're not
planning on a trip to see the Himba this is the place
where you will gain a better understanding of their
traditional way of life. Good photos etc. of everyday
Himba Life. The
steam engine, shown, was built in England in 1926 and is
in full working condition
Acknowledgements and further reading: M7, H20,H21,P1,
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Local Area Attractions
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Baobab Tree (number 1063)
is located on the Farm Keibeb, which is about 60km north of Grootfontein on
gravel roads. If you haven't seen a Big Baobab tree, and want to, it's well
worth the effort. Baobab Trees play an important roll in African legend and
daily life. The tree's various parts can be used for medicinal and food
purposes, and it's an awesome sight when you see 'your first Baobab'
towering over the surrounding bush. Time budget 1hr
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Gaub Cave located on the historical Farm Ghaub. The cave is not
'tourist friendly', however, the 'Cavies' amongst you will not want to miss
this-one. Be prepared for an amount of rock-hopping, so good boots are a
must. Not for the Claustrophobic. Guided Tours only and I recommend you
make a booking in advance. Time budget 2-3hr
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Hoba Meteorite. It weighs-in at over 60 ton,
is approximately 3 meters square and about 1 meter in depth. It contains about
82% iron and 16% nickel. It fell to earth about 80,000 years ago, and is the
largest known-of metal meteorite in the world. When it came-in to land it didn't
cause any crater to be formed, so it probably had a very low trajectory and
'bounced' to its final landing site on the Farm Hoba. National Heritage Site.
Camping Available. Time budget 1hr
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Road Distances from Grootfontein
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Katima |
Otavi |
Rundu |
Swakopmund |
Tsumeb |
Windhok |
Accommodation
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791 / 492 |
96 /58 |
238 / 148 |
594 / 369 |
57 / 35 |
462 / 287 |
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