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The Settlement of
Omaruru:
The year 1868 saw the movement
of the Hereros from Otjimbingwe. This was on the advice of the
traditional medicine men, who being dissatisfied with the increasing
influence that was being exercised by the missionaries of
Otjimbingwe on their chief, Maharero, and many members of the tribe.
They attributed the woes of the tribe to the fact that for some
years their Paramount Chief Maharero had failed to visit his
father's grave that was at Okahandja. In 1868 Maharero and his
direct followers re-located to Okahandja. Chief Willem Zeraua left
Otjimbingwe in 1870 and settled with his followers at a place that
became known as 'omeare omaruru' which means - bitter curd, being a
description of the taste of their cows milk after the eating of a bush that grew
in the area.
Omaruru is the commercial centre
for the surrounding cattle and game farms industry. It's a handy
stay over place and an excellent springboard for touring in the
Erongo Mountains. Just as you enter town from the
Karibib you'll see the Tikoloshe tree root carving centre. These
guys create the most amazing birds and animals from suitably
shaped hard wood tree roots that they find. It's an amazing art
form. Go and enjoy.
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Omaruru seems to becoming a modern day settlement
place for artistic individuals. There are people making
chocolates and even eco-friendly gift cards. I seem to remember the latter going
like this. They recycle paper and add some shredded elephant-dung, which is
then formed into gift cards impregnated equidistant with flower seeds. What
a great idea for a gift by Thelma.
I couldn't resist
inserting the above left photo. My first car was a Ford Anglia, and that
wasn't long after Noah docked his ark. This reliable oldie is in
good condition and being used as an every day run-about by one of
the local Omaruru shop keepers. That's some advert for Ford.
Omaruru was placed under siege during the
Herero
Uprising of 1904. You can see the memorial Franke Tower. That's my
friend Lourens, above right, standing by the Krupp C73 Field-Gun, and like all small boys he
enjoys guns, the bigger the better.
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Ford Anglia |
Main Street |
Franke Tower |
Krupp 80mm Field Gun |
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The main road through town has a
couple of excellent coffee shop - restaurants. The above left
has a good info centre and has a nice patio at the
rear overlooking the
Omaruru River. The above right is the
Sand Dragon and has rather unusual toilets - go and have a
look for your self.
In 1990 Helmut Kluge bought a
farm on the banks of the
Omaruru River and decided to grow some
grapes and then make some
wine. Since then the vineyard has grown to become the most
established in the country. You should budget some time if
passing through the town and pay them a visit for a cellar
with a difference.
Tree Root Carvings |
Info Centre & Cafe |
Sand-Dragon Cafe |
Helmut's Vineyard |
Helmut's Wine |
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Local Area Attractions
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Dinosaur Tracks on Farm Otjihaenamaparero: Here you can see several lengthy
track-ways that were imprinted in, what is now, Etjo-Sandstone about 200 million
years ago. There are 2 distinctly different track-ways thought to have been left
by early dinosaurs: (a) Ceratosaurus, a bi-pedal dinosaur that grew up to 6
meters in length, and (b) Syntarsus, a bi-pedal dinosaur that grew up to 3
meters in length. The track-ways are easily accessible and nearby there is
shaded camping areas with showers and flush toilets. Time budget 1-2hr |
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Paula Cave: The small cave is on a farm area operated by the Erongo Wilderness Lodge. You will need their permission, plus
one of their guides to drive
you to the cave. You may even consider a stay-over-night at the Lodge as it
makes for an experience with a difference. They have 10 Luxury tented chalets
nestled amongst dramatic setting of granite boulders with breathtaking views.
Stay-over on a dinner, bed
and breakfast basis. Time budget 2-3hr |
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Road Distances from Omaruru
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Karibib |
Otjiwarongo |
Outjo |
Okaukuejo |
Swakopmund |
Windhoek |
Accommodation
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55 / 34 |
120 / 75 |
190 / 118 |
310 / 193 |
245 / 152 |
250 / 155 |
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