Discover Otjivakuanda: Epupa Falls as a destination in its own right

Otjivakuanda and Epupa Falls are close to each other, but they are separate destinations. Epupa lies about 12 km north of Otjivakuanda. This distinction can help when looking for a holiday apartment, because you can first decide which place you want to use as your main reference point. If the falls are the deciding factor for you, list them as a destination in their own right in your plans and pay attention to the place named when choosing a location.

Epupa Falls: Cascades and Birdlife

Epupa Falls are formed by the Kunene River. Along the border between Angola and Namibia, a sequence of cascades stretches for around 1.5 km. This makes it possible to think of the landscape as an extensive series of cascades, rather than just a single waterfall.

Birdlife also shapes the Epupa Falls area: more than 240 Namibian bird species have been recorded there, and birdwatching is one of the activities available. For nature enthusiasts, this combines the striking waterscape with a second point of interest. In the wider Kunene destination, Epupa Falls is also a well-known tourist attraction on the Arid Eden Route.

Rock Art and Nature Experiences in the Wider Kunene Destination

Twyfelfontein, also known as /Ui-//aes, offers a different focus. The core area was declared a national monument in 1948 and is protected under Namibia’s National Heritage Act of 2004. Twyfelfontein has around 2,500 different rock engravings; most are estimated to be more than 6,000 years old. The number gives an idea of the scale of the rock art, while the age estimate indicates its long history. A visitor centre welcomes guests. Check the current opening hours before planning a visit.

Visitors who want to see Twyfelfontein’s rock engravings can join a guided tour into the Huab River Valley. There may be a chance to see desert-adapted elephants. At Grootberg in Kunene, travellers can take guided hikes up to the plateau. Lodge guides can explain the local flora, the rock formations of the Etendeka Mountains, and the wildlife. The experiences offer different points of interest: the tour brings together the rock engravings and a possible elephant sighting, while the hike focuses on flora, rock formations, and wildlife.

The Petrified Forest is also a destination in the wider Kunene region. It was declared a national monument on 1 March 1950 and is currently operated as a tourist site under the supervision of the National Heritage Council of Namibia. If you plan a visit, check the current operating details for access in advance. Palmwag, Etendeka, and Hobatere offer another perspective on the region’s history: before Namibia’s independence in 1990, traditional authorities in Kunene designated these concessions as conservation areas where farming is prohibited.

Discover more destinations: Ehomba, Ozongaka, Kamanjab, Konob Pos, Opuwo, Otjinhungwa, Purros, Kalkbron.

For the wider travel overview: Kunene.