Introduction & planning tips
The Hoba Meteorite, a national monument, lies close to Grootfontein
on the farm Hoba West. It is said to be the largest meteorite yet discovered. It is of particular interest to those who are interested in
astronomy and geology, but a visit is also a useful way to break the
journey to and from Etosha, central Namibia and the Kavango.
Consultants' map
The Hoba meteorite falls in the malaria area. See basic Malaria precautions and guidelines
Consultants' folder
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 Planning information
Allow for an hour. This will allow the visitor to look at the monument, take photos and visit the information centre.
The Hoba meteorite only has a small office & information centre:
* No banking facilities
* No fuel
* No shops
* The closest towns are Grootfontein, Tsumeb and Otavi.
Note: Travellers should be advised to make sure they have enough fuel, water and snacks before departing for Hoba. Traveller should also obtain cash to pay the entry fee.
Itinerary
The Hoba Meteorite can be scheduled for the route between:
* Central Namibia and Etosha (Von Lindequest Gate)
* Caprivi Strip and Etosha (Von Lindequest Gate)
* Central Namibia and the Caprivi Strip.
Fuel & Cash
The traveller should be advised to fill their tank before departing for Hoba and carry a small amount of Namibian Dollars to pay the entry fee.
Cool box
Cool boxes can be stocked in any of the nearby towns of Grootfontein, Otavi and Tsumeb.
The Hoba Meteorite is subject to the rules of the National Monuments Council. On no account should the traveller attempt to remove samples from the meteorite.
* The Hoba Meteorite
* The Information Centre
The Hoba Meteorite is approximately 2,9 m wide, 2,8 m broad, and between 0,9 m and 1,2 m high. It weighs more than 60 tons. It is believed to have fallen to earth less than 80,000 years ago. It is reddish brown due to oxidation (rust) on the surface. A small information centre gives more details on the meteorite.
Travel details
* The Hoba Meteorite can be reached in a small 2 X 4.
* During the rainy season, travellers should enquire about the condition of the road prior to departure.
Grootfontein
Grootfontein to Hoba Meteorite is approx. 18 km
* From Grootfontein drive on the C42 to the D2859 turn off (approx. 4 km).
* Turn left onto the D2859 and drive to the Hoba Meteorite signpost (approx. 14 km).
The C24 is tar road, the rest of the trip is on gravel road.
Tsumeb
Tsumeb to Hoba Meteorite is approx. 67 km
* From Tsumeb drive on the C42 to the D2859 turn off (approx. 53 km).
* Turn right onto the D2859 and drive to the Hoba Meteorite signpost (approx. 14 km)
The C24 is tar road, the rest of the trip is on gravel road.
Etosha National Park (Von Lindequist Gate)
Etosha (Von Lindequist Gate) to Hoba Meteorite is approx. 166 km
* From the Von Lindequist Gate take the C83 to the B1 turn off (approx. 25 km)
* Turn right into the B1 and follow it to Tsumeb (approx. 74 km)
* From Tsumeb drive on the C42 to the D2859 turn off (approx. 53 km).
* Turn right onto the D2859 and drive to the Hoba Meteorite signpost (approx. 14 km)
The D2859 is gravel road. The rest of the route is on tar road.
En-route attraction: Otjikoto Lake
Oshakati
Oshakati to Hoba Meteorite is approx. 352 km
* From Oshakati take the B1 south east to Tsumeb (approx. 285 km)
* From Tsumeb drive on the C42 to the D2859 turn off (approx. 53 km).
* Turn right onto the D2859 and drive to the Hoba Meteorite signpost (approx. 14 km)
The D2859 is gravel road. The rest of the route is on tar road.
Otjiwarongo
From Otjiwarongo to Hoba Meteorite is approx. 198 km
* From Otjiwarongo drive north on the B1 to Otavi (approx. 119 km)
* From Otavi drive east on the B8 to the D2859 turn off ( approx. 61 km)
* Turn left onto the D2859 and drive to the Hoba Meteorite signpost (approx. 18 km).
The D2859 is gravel road. The rest of the route is on tar road.
Waterberg
Waterberg to Hoba Meteorite is approx. 291 km
* From Waterberg drive south on the D2512 to the C22 turn off (approx. 24 km)
* Turn right into the C22 and continue to the B1 turn off (approx. 41 km)
* Turn right into the B1 and drive to Otjiwarongo (approx. 28 km)
* From Otjiwarongo drive north on the B1 to Otavi (approx. 119 km)
* From Otavi drive east on the B8 to the D2859 turn off ( approx. 61 km)
* Turn left onto the D2859 and drive to the Hoba Meteorite signpost (approx. 18 km).
The D2512 and D2859 are gravel roads. The rest of the route is tar road.
Rundu
Rundu to Hoba Meteorite is approx. 270 km
* From Rundu drive south west on the B8 to Grootfontein (approx. 252 km)
* From Grootfontein drive on the C42 to the D2859 turn off (approx. 4 km).
* Turn left onto the D2859 and drive to the Hoba Meteorite signpost (approx. 14 km).
The D2859 is gravel road. The rest of the route is on tar road.
The closest airstrip to the Hoba Meteorite is the Grootfontein Airport.
Grootfontein Airport (FYGF)
South: 19 degrees 36’ 00”
East: 18 degrees 08’ 00"
Elevation: 4,636 feet
Grootfontein Tower/Traffic: 123.3 MHz
Cautions/Warning: Military operations may result in restrictions on airspace from time to time.
Grootfontein Airport Runway Data
| Runway |
08/26 |
17/35
|
Length (meter)
|
3,560
|
1,040 |
Width (meter)
|
45
|
30 |
| Surface |
tar
|
tar |
Accomms index
Kempinski Mokuti Lodge
Approx. 168 km north of Hoba and 200 meters east of the Von Lindequist Gate
56 deluxe rooms, 34 safari club rooms, 8 safari Suites & 8 etosha suites, spa, gym, several conference venues, tennis courts, reptile park & petrol station.
Ohange Lodge
Approx. 113 km west of Hoba, Half way between Otavi & Tsumeb.
10 bungalows, 6 self catering rooms and a campsite. Bungalows overlook a waterhole. Night and day game drives as well as morning and sundowner guided walks.
Onguma Bush Camp
Approx. 168 km north of Hoba and 200 meters east of the Von Lindequist Gate
3 twin bungalows, 3 twin rooms, 1 family suite (4 beds), waterhole, mid range. Ideal base for families to explore the Etosha National Park.
Onguma - The Fort
Approx. 168 km north of Hoba and 200 meters east of the Von Lindequist Gate
12 luxury mini suites overlooking Fisher's Pan , 1 luxury fort suite, around waterhole. Located on the 20,000 ha private Onguma Game Reserve.
Onguma Tented Camp
Approx. 168 km north of Hoba and 200 meters east of the Von Lindequist Gate
7 twin ‘Meru style’ luxury tents surrounding waterhole. Guided game drives into Etosha. Game and night dirves on the private Onguma Game Reserve.
Onguma Tree Top Camp
Approx. 168 km north of Hoba and 200 meters east of the Von Lindequist Gate
Intimate camp with 4 chalets at the height of the tree canopies, overlooking a waterhole.
!Uris Safari Lodge
Approx. 64 km north of Hoba en route to the Von Lindequist Gate
14 guest rooms incl. 7 double rooms & 7 family rooms. Ideal for guests with an interest in gemstones and minerals. Offers weddings, conference facilities and wellness & beauty treatments.
Marketing descriptions
The Hoba Meteorite, on the farm Hoba West, is approximately 2,9 m wide, 2,8 m broad, and between 0,9 m and 1,2 m high. It weighs more than 60 tons. It is reddish brown due to oxidation (rust) on the surface. It is believed to have fallen to earth less than 80,000 years ago. The Hoba Meteorite is the largest meteorite yet found on the surface of the earth, and the largest piece of naturally occurring iron on the surface of the earth.
Background for clients & guides
During summer, the temperature rises to approximately 30 C. In the rainy season, the weather can be extremely humid. 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.
The Hoba Meteorite, on the farm Hoba West, is approximately 2,9 m wide, 2,8 m broad, and between 0,9 m and 1,2 m high. It weighs more than 60 tons. It is reddish brown due to oxidation (rust) on the surface. It is believed to have fallen to earth less than 80,000 years ago. The Hoba meteorite is the largest meteorite yet found on the surface of the earth, and the largest piece of naturally occurring iron on the surface of the earth.
Samples show that it contains 82,4% iron, 16,4% nickel and 0,76% cobalt. The main minerals found in the meteorite are kamacite (a nickel iron alloy containing 5 – 7% nickel) and taenite (a nickel iron alloy containing up to 65% nickel). Other elements found in the Hoba metoerite are carbon, chromium, copper, gallium, germanium, iridium, sulphur and zinc. The meteor also contains the rare minerals schreibersite, troilite and daubreelite. As it contains large amounts of nickel, it is classified as an ataxite meteorite.
A rare radioactive nickel isotope with a half life of less than 80,000 years has enabled scientists to determine that the meteorite fell to earth less than 80,000 years ago. The meteorite itself is believed to be between 190 million and 410 million years old.
After the meteorite fell, it was slowly covered with calcrete. In 1920, while hunting on the farm Hoba West, Jacobus Hermanus Brits discovered a strange, blackish rock. He scratched away at the rock with his knife and saw that it had a metallic shine. He took a sample and sent it away to the SWA Maatskappy (SWA Company) in Grootfontein. They determined that the sample was from a meteorite.
Over the years curious visitors came to see the meteorite. Many vandalised it by chipping pieces away. In 1985, mining company Rossing donated funds to build facilities for visitors. In 1987, the owner of the farm donated an area around the meteorite for further development.
The meteorite is a national monument.
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