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Outjo

Introduction & planning tips

Outjo is the closest town to Okaukuejo in Etosha National Park, so a stop is mandatory for refuelling and restocking. The town and its vicinity is a good base for trips into the Okaukuejo area of the park and there are a number of lodges, guest farms and hotels in the vicinity of the town. Outjo has some historical interest, particularly in that it is closely associated with the Naulila Incident in which the Germans and Portuguese skirmished in what is now Angola during World War 1, before the Germans declared war on the Portuguese.

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Planning information

* A brief visit is recommended, especially for shopping prior to entering Etosha National Park, where the selection of goods in the store is limited. For a visit to the Franke Haus Museum and a coffee break should also be planned in.

Although small, Outjo is a fully fledged town with:
* 24 hour petrol stations
* Vehicle repair
* Banking facilities
* Various shops and a supermarket
* Restaurants and German Bakery

Branch with Bureau de Change
2 Sam Nujoma Drive
Mon - Fri: 08h30 - 15h30
Sat: 08h30 - 12h00
Hours may vary.

Itinerary
Outjo is an ideal stop between the Twyfelfontein area or central Namibia and the Etosha National Park.

Restock and refuel
Use the opportunity to restock the coolbox, refuel, check water, oil and tyres. Bear in mind that shops in Etosha have a limited range of supplies.

Clothing
Travellers should be prepared for cold and high heat. In winter (May to September) the nights may be cold but midday may be warm to hot. In summer the temperature may rise to over 35 C.

* Franke Haus Museum
* Naulila Monument 105
* Water tower 219
* Gamkarab Cave
* Ugab Vingerklip
* Etosha National Park

The Franke Haus Museum holds exhibits of local history, minerals and gemstones and a variety of animal horns, skins and bones. A sheep-sheering machine that works with a bicycle chain is also on display. A craft shop is attached to the museum, which enables local women to generate additional incomes.

Victor Franke was the district officer of Outjo from 1899 until 1910. In the early phases of the Herero Uprising of 1904 he defeated numerically superior Herero forces at Omaruru. He also participated in campaigns against the Herero at Okahandja and Windhoek.

The Gamkarab Cave lies approximately 50 km north-east of Outjo. The cave is reached by a porthole and fixed ladder, after which travellers use a system of ropes and ladders to reach the cave floor. There are a number and stalactites and an underground lake, as well as air bubbles that were formed by magma. Visitors can swim in the cave.

Outjo is the last town en-route to Etosha (Okaukuejo).

The Ugab Vingerklip, ‘finger of rock’ lies approximately 95 km west of Outjo, en-route to Khorixas, the Petrified Forest and Twyfelfontein. The finger of rock is about 35 m high and is the result of erosion. It provides a possible photo opportunity. A cave on the adjacent farm, Omburo Ost, contains some rock art.

The Naulila Monument, near the post office, commemorates the defeat of the Portuguese at Fort Naulila, in what is now the Angolan province of Kunene, by German forces at the beginning of World War 1. Twelve German troops lost their lives. The Naulila Monument, near the post office, commemorates the defeat of the Portuguese at the fort of Naulila, in what is now the Angolan province of Kunene, by German forces at the beginning of World War 1. Twelve German troops lost their lives.

The stone water tower is believed to be the only one of its kind. It was built in 1900, above a well and taken into use by German troops in 1901. It was powered by a wooden windmill, and fed a small cement dam. Water was conducted by a 620 m pump to the fort, which stood about where the centre of Outjo stands today.

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Background for clients & guides

The name 'Outjo' means 'place on the rocks' or 'little hills' referring to the many hills which surround the town. In Herero 'Outjo' means 'the place of cone shaped hills'.

During summer, the temperature rises to above 30 C. In winter temperatures during the midday range between 18 and 25 C, however temperatures can fall below 0 C at night and in the early morning.

In October 1914, after the outbreak of the First World War, Schutztruppe, the German territorial forces were threatened by British forces and troops of the Union of South Africa.

In order to ensure that they would not have to fight on two fronts, the Germans sent a German delegation, led by Dr Schultze-Jena, District Officer for Outjo, to negotiate a non-aggression treaty and to attempt to find food supplies which went missing in Angola.

Schultze-Jena crossed the border illegally, and was accosted by Portuguese officer Alferes Sereno who requested the delegation to accompany him to Fort Naulila. An exchange of fire took place in which most of the German delegation was killed.

In response to the incident, the Germans dispatched a force commanded by Oswald Ostermann from the police post at Nkurenkuru on the Okavango River.

On 31 October, the force attacked Fort Cuangar, destroying the fort and killing most of the Portuguese and Angolan inhabitants. This is known as the Cuangar Massacre. The forces went on to destroy Forts Bunya, Shambyu, Dirico and Mucusso.

On 12 November Joachim von Heydebreck, commander of the Schutztruppe was killed in a rifle-grenade accident at Karasburg (then Kalkfontein South). Major Franke took command of the Schutztruppe.

On 18 December, Franke led the troops against the Portuguese at Naulila. He was wounded in the attack, and Hauptmann Georg Trainer took command. The Portuguese were defeated, and some Portuguese prisoners-of-war were executed.

The battle is also notable for the fact that the Himba leader, Vita Tom, took part on the side of the Portuguese, but escaped.

Germany went on to declare war on Portugal on 9 March 1916

In 1933, a monument was erected at Outjo commemorating the 12 men who lost their lives.

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