Located in
Namibia :: Kavango
:: Divundu Area
Category:
Places :: Town Medium
Divundu is a small village on the south-eastern bank of the Okavango River which is home to the Mbukushu kings. It's situated on the B8 highway, the main artery linking the Kavango region to the Caprivi Strip (recently renamed as the Zambezi region).
In 1913, Alexander Ndara, chief of the Hambukushu tribe, accepted and welcomed some Catholic missionaries. The Catholic church and hospital at the Andara Mission Station 15km west of Divundu are still functional and the original water mill is a reminder of the days when the station’s fertile farmland was irrigated with river water.
The Okavango River is the fourth-longest river system in southern Africa, running south-eastward for 1 600km. It rises in Angola, where it is known as the Cubango River. Further south it forms part of the border between Angola and Namibia, and then flows into Botswana, draining into the Moremi Game Reserve. Before entering Botswana, the river drops four meters, across its full 1.2km width, in a series of rapids known as Popa Falls. These are visible when the river runs low during the dry season, and is the main attraction near Divundu.
Address : | Zambezi (Caprivi), Namibia | ||
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Cellphone Reception : | Good | Main Cellular Network : | MTC. LEO |
Police Station : | Yes | Police Telephone : | +264(0)66 259 432 |
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Petrol : | Yes | |||
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Diesel : | Yes | Diesel Type : | 50ppm available |
Facilities : | Gas Refill, Shops, ATM, Lodging, Camping, Liquor, Restaurant |
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ACCOMMODATION:
There is a large variety of accommodation options in the Divundu area.
BOAT CRUISES & TOURS:
A few of the local lodges offer boat cruises to Popa Falls.
Some lodges offer guided tours to nearby villages.
HEALTHCARE:
The nearest hospital is at Andara, 15km west of Divundu.
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 legal payment instruments, but many fuel stations choose NOT to accept Debit and/or Credit cards. But generally credit cards are accepted at garages in bigger and touristy towns. Take extra cash with still in case!
MECHANICAL REPAIR & TOW-IN SERVICES:
The tow-in is located in Okahandja. Alternative tow-in numbers are +264(0)62 500 132 / +264(0)62 504 250. (Oct-17).
RESTAURANT:
From the Popa Falls Rest Camp, upgraded in 2013, you can walk to the rapids and have refreshments at the restaurant that overlooks them.
ROAD INFO:
The River loop can be accessed in a sedan and will take one to two hours whereas the western loop requires an off-road vehicle and will take at least two hours to complete.
SHOPS & SERVICES:
You can stock up at two general dealers here.
VET FENCES:
Officials do spray vehicles at the Bengani vet fence (just east of the Okavango river at Divundu), however they do not always ask or check for meat at this post.
A sticker with the grocery store name and date, vacuum packed, will not get you through the fence. The rule would be NOT TO cross a vet fence with meat regardless of where you bought it.
The road between Rundu and Katima Mulilo has cell phone reception most of the way. Because of veterinary fence restrictions you cannot take raw meat from Katima Mulilo to Rundu. There is a vet fence control point just east of Divundu where your vehicle will be checked and sprayed.