Everyone has probably heard about Hoba Meteorite, Ghaub cave or Ombili San Foundation, not to mention Lake Otjikoto, the museums in Tsumeb and Grootfontein and the Living Museum of the Ju/’Hoansi. But who knows the Maria Bronn mission station? The Dorsland Grootboom? The winery Thonningii? The Karavatu mine?
All these and many more attractions are to be found in the triangle between the national parks Etosha, Khaudum and Waterberg Plateau – in a region that is widely ignored by most tourists. In order to change that, about 40 accommodation establishments, activity providers, museums, arts & crafts markets and municipalities in the region have founded the tourism route Omuramba Meander.
Members of the Omuramba Meander route committee after a meeting at the Altes Fort Museum in Grootfontein (l.t.r.): Luke Salomo (Municipality Grootfontein), Ndangi Shetekela (Linekela Investment), Sven-Eric Stender (Marketing & PR; Ghaub and Waterberg Wilderness), André Neethling (Chairperson; !Uris Lodge), Madelein Malan (Meteorite Camping), Romanda Nanuses (Secretary; Khorab Lodge), Charlotte Becker (Finances; Tsumeb Museum), Ulli Prickett (Grootfontein Museum) and Jens Frautschy (Industrial Heritage Tsumeb).
The initiator was the Ministry of Urban and Rural Development that contracted non profit organisation Open Africa to develop the route. It should also ensure to increase the benefits from tourism for urban and rural communities. Open Africa compiled information and photos of attractions and tourism products in the region and published it on its established web portal (www.openafrica.org). In addition Open Africa produced information boards for eight locations such as Waterberg Plateau or Fisher’s Pan in Etosha which are referring to one another. There are also signs of the Omuramba Meander route at town entrances and at selected spots along roads. A brochure in digital and printed format is due to appear in time for high season in July.
“Our Omuramba Meander initiative serves to raise awareness for the variety of experiences the region has to offer,” says committee chairman André Neethling. “Our region is not only a great stop-over en route between Windhoek and Etosha or the Zambezi region, but also a destination on its own inviting you to explore – or, as we like to say: to meander.”
Contacts:
André Neethling (Chairperson)
+264 (0)81 122 8502
chair@omuramba-meander.org
Sven-Eric Stender (Marketing & PR)
+264 (0)81 327 8788
pr@omuramba-meander.org
One of the many attractions of the Omuramba Meander route: The Hoba meteorite near Grootfontein, the largest heavenly body discovered so far on Earth. Photo: Sven-Eric Stender