Omaruru Namibia

 

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.
	Erongo Region
	21º26'S  15º56E
	Population 7,500

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.

 

Ford Anglia

Main Street

Franke Tower

Krupp 80mm Field Gun

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

Local Area Attractions

Namibia Towns:

Aus | Gobabis | Grootfontein  | Grunau | Henties-Bay |  Kamanjab | Karibib | Karasburg  | Katima Mulilo | Keetmanshoop Khorixas    |  Luderitz | Maltahohe | Mariental | Noordoewer | Okahandja | Omaruru | Ondangwa | Oshakati | Otavi Otjiwarongo | Outjo | Rehoboth | Ruacana | Rundu | Solitaire | Swakopmund | Terrace-Bay | Tsumeb | Uis | Usakos | Walvis-Bay | Windhoek

Omaruru Namibia

Home | Getting Here | Cities & Towns | Touring Namibia | Sitemap

Namibia -1on1