Gochas is one of the smallest towns in Namibia, and has been the main settlement of the !Kharakhoen Nama people since 1889. They named the village Gochas, Nama for “the place of many !go bushes”, after the many candle-pod trees (Acacia hebeclada) that grow in the area.
Gochas is situated in the Aoab River Valley, an area where frequent skirmishes took place between the German Schutztruppe and Nama people during the War of Resistance from 1904 to 1907. Several war graves of German Schutztruppe can be seen in the cemetery in town, and a few monuments along the C15 commemorate battles which took place along the Aoab Riverbed.
Fruit and vegetables are cultivated in the area surrounding the nearby village of Stampriet, these are irrigated from artesian water wells supplied from the catchment area south-west of Windhoek.

Gochas has a few small shops, a fuel station and an airstrip, but the beauty of the surrounding red Kalahari dunes with their feathery golden tufts of bushman-grass, make this a popular stopover for travellers using the Mata Mata border post. A number of activities are available in the area, including hiking, dune boarding, bird watching, game viewing and desert safaris.

FOOD:
The OK Grocer is very well stocked. You can purchase MTC sim cards here.

FUEL:
Take note: Garage or Petrol cards will no longer be accepted as a legal tender for purchase of fuel, spares or repairs in Namibia. Cash, Debit and Credit cards are accepted at most fuel stops in the larger and touristy towns. Just always take extra cash with in case they only accept cash!

The Engen Fuel stop in Gochas only accepts cash. (June 2018).

There is also fuel available at the Agri - but they operate during normal business hours only. Both fuel stops in town offer 50ppm.

GAS REFILLS:
Gas bottles can be refilled at the OK Grocer, or at the Agri Co-Op.

HEALTHCARE:
Hospital contact is for Gochas Hospital. There is only a clinic in the Town +264(0)63 250 020 and the doctor is from Aranos.

ROUTE INFO:
The farms under irrigation along the Aoab Riverbed make for a very scenic drive from Gochas to Mata Mata. The Kalahari Farmstall, 15km before reaching the border post, offers toasted sandwiches, from home made bread. No other meals are available. (Kalahari Farmstall: +264(0)81 235 1859).

SHOPS:
There is an OK Grocer and Agri in Gochas. Both do gas refill.

TOW-IN SERVICES:
One of the tow-in services is located in Okahandja.
Alternative numbers include +264 (0)62 500 132 / +264 (0)62 504 250.
USEFUL NUMBERS:
Clinic +264(0)63 250 020.
OK Grocer +264(0)63 250 003.
Mata Mata Border Post (07:00 to 15.30): +264(0)63 252 055.

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