Rundu

With around 63,000 inhabitants (2011), Rundu is the second largest city in Namibia and the main city of the Kavango region in northeastern Namibia. The city sits on a hill on the south bank of the Okavango, the border river to Angola to the north of the river. The surrounding area is characterized by tropical woodlands and river savannas.

The city of Rundu is the economic and cultural centre of Kavango, and compared to other Namibian cities, much more authentically African. The city has a lively market life with numerous market halls and street markets, which offer fish and other food from fishermen and farmers, as well as African handicrafts from the Kavango wood carvers.

The Kavango region is the poorest region in Namibia but the city is located at a strategic crossroad and has, since peace and stability returned to Angola, lots of potential to develop to a bustling border town.

As a frontier-town, Rundu is a commercial city which attracts cross-border business. The economy of greater Rundu is both urban and rural with a prevalence of service economy, in particular trading. The majority (82%) of the business operations fall into the non-formal sector with 80% trading as "sole proprietors". Rundu is a safe place for travelers and the ideal one night stop over before venturing into the wild Kavango and Caprivi bush lands.

Rundu Airport receives direct scheduled flights from Windhoek. However, the airport is used more by local charter airlines.

There are Intercape Mainliner bus connections on the route between Windhoek and Victoria Falls.

Rundu is mostly used as a stopover from Namibia to the remote Caprivi Strip. It is around 2 hours by car from Grootfontein: 250 km on the B8 national road, a well-developed trunk road.

• -17.93212519.7717121 Minibuses and shared taxis, D3402 (corner with B8). Minibuses leave when full to Onhuno, close to the border with Angola, and Divundu, close to the border with Botswana (3 h, 170 N$). Departures from the parking of Engen petrol station along the B8.  (updated Jul 2024)

The Kavango River at Rundu Beach.

You can go kayaking on the Kavango River. For example a good start is from Tambuti Lodge at Rundu Beach. Canoes and kayaks are safe and less polluting than motorboats and ideal to explore the peace of the riverbeds, go bird-watching and spot a hungry snake or crocodile on the shore (the latter do not attack boats).

Various operators offer activities such as river tours, safaris and sightseeing flights. You can also fish tiger tetra in the Okavango. Bookings can be made on site at short notice.

After that you can have a cool drink at Tambuti Bar overlooking the river and mingle with the locals.

There are four service stations in Rundu to fill up your vehicle, a shopping mall and supermarkets in the centre of town.

There are also nice woodcarvings on sale along side the main road going towards Rundu (from Mile 30 to Mile 10). Other carvings are at Mbangura and the Rundu Open Markets.

• Rundu Open Markets, Rundu (from the town centre towards the east). 08:00-20:00.  

• -17.8519.6711 Hakusembe River Lodge, A few km west of Rundu on the Kavango River (From Rundu, drive West on the B10. The Hakusembe turnoff to the right is signposted). Check-in: 14:00, check-out: 10:00. Restaurant, bar, pool, curio shop. Very friendly staff. Braai packs and firewood for sale. As the lodge is pretty much part of town, there is not much wildlife to be seen, but everything is lush and green. Lodge staff will tell tales of hippo and croc sightings, though. 24 chalets, 4 generous camping spots, some permanent tents ("Camping to go"). The camp site has water and electricity. Every camping spot has grass and shade, as well as private ablution facilities. One of the few Namibian camp sites without a single thorn bush. Camping N$ 290 pppn, children half price. Gondwana card holders (only available to residents of SADC) get discount..  (updated Jan 2025)
• Tambuti Lodge, at Rundu Beach in Rundu Town (The B8 is the main artery on which people arrive and depart, though it actually skirts the town of Rundu. You must turn off at the buzzing Shell petrol station to get into Rundu. Taking this turn brings you right past the sports stadium on your right and to a four way stop junction (having the main Engen fuel station on your left hand side.). Tambuti is 1.2 km from here. After 500 m you meet another four-way stop. On both your left and right you have many shops, with another petrol station and a new shopping mall on your right hand. Continue straight on, and you eventually meet the old river road at a T-junction facing Omashare Lodge. Turn straight to your left and follow the signboards of Tambuti Lodge which is only 400 m from here on. After 200 m you turn right to a small gravel road leading down to the river. You will pass the Ministry of Forestry’s nursery before reaching Tambuti Lodge on your left hand side.), ☏ +264 66 255711, fax: +264 66 255131, tambuti@iway.na. from N$255 pps. 
• Unkurungu Guesthouse, Safari Street. single/double room with own bathroom. free wifi. 300. (updated Aug 2023)