Main Street |
Franke Tower |
Krupp 80mm Field Gun |
Omaruru has become 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. You can get them at Grow Namibia, where they also produce
hand-made recycled products from paper and glass. |
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Ford Anglia |
If you're planning a trip to Omaruru in the month of September you should
time it to coincide with the Annual Artist Trail which is usually held in
the first week of the month having exhibits including jewellery, musicians,
photography, sculptors and many more...
I couldn't resist inserting the above right 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 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.
Tree Root Carvings |
Info Centre & Cafe |
Sand-Dragon Cafe |
Kristall Kellerie Vineyard |
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.
You should budget some time to visit the Kristall Kellerie, to sample some of
the Namibian Wines that are produced there. You can book a tour of the vinyard
and cellar and afterwards relax with a glass of wine and a meal at the small
tavern there.
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.
A bit of history: 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.
Road Distances from Omaruru
|
Karibib |
Otjiwarongo |
Outjo |
Okaukuejo |
Swakopmund |
Windhoek |
| 55 / 34 |
120 / 75 |
190 / 118 |
310 / 193 |
245 / 152 |
250 / 155 |
|
