Outjo property guide

Outjo at a glance

Until very recently, Outjo was mainly known as a drive-through or stopover for tourists on their way to landmarks like the Etosha Pans, the Ugab Rock Finger (Vingerklip), and the Petrified Forest, Twyfelfontein, the Burnt Mountain, the Organ Pipes and the spectacular landscapes of Damaraland and Kaokoland. In the last two years, however, the town has transformed after a make-over: detox, botox, make-up - the works! The residents have joined hands with the municipality to start a project, ‘Dream for Outjo’ in order to dress their beloved hometown in the glory it deserves. New trees were planted, buildings were renovated and a battle against littering has been launched by the warm-hearted community.

Taking the lead in making Outjo’s dream come true, is Ms Orelia Liebenberg who drives the ‘Dream for Outjo’ project. With the infectious enthusiasm and hard work of its residents, Outjo’s dream has become widely known and a very pleasant reality when the town was elected by the DSTV channel, Kyknet’s viewers as Namibia’s finalist for the Kwêla town-of-the-year competition in 2013. This certainly caused Namibians, as well as South Africans, to take note of the small town with its rich history, warm-hearted people, bushveld vegetation, and rocky geography.

Apart from livestock farming, Outjo is well-known for its many game farms and lodges surrounding it. In addition to the world-renowned Etosha Pans, tourists can choose from a wide variety of private establishments for some splendid game viewing and hunting opportunities. Resting in the Ugab valley with its rocky terraces, Mopani bushveld, and rich natural wildlife, the town has what it takes to be treasured by Namibians and tourists from all over the world as a prize destination.

Places in Outjo worth visiting, definitely include the local bakery, popular for its delicious cakes, pastries, and German bread, not to mention the coffee! Displaying German roots, are well kept old buildings like The Franke Haus, which accommodates the museum; The Windmill Tower, which provided water to Outjo’s small community of the early twentieth century and the Naulila Monument, erected in honour of a few German soldiers who were killed during the First World War.

Probably the brightest social highlight on Outjo’s annual calendar for the past ten years now is the Game Festival at Sophienhof, a few kilometres outside town. The main purpose of this event is to entertain, but at the same time, residents have the opportunity to raise funds for community projects and market their products, with the game farming business at the centre. Luring a number of cowboys and -girls, a sense of the Wild West can be experienced when adventurers participate in a rodeo and hitch some risky rides on bulls, calves, sheep, or horses. Entertainers from South Africa join in the festivities every year. Over the years, artists like Snotkop, Gerhard Steyn, Heinz Winckler, Charlize Berg, and Steve Hofmeyr have added to the success of the festival.

Outjo’s people are well-known for their warm hearts and the friendly way in which they welcome visitors. Their love for this quaint old town is proud and passionate, but at the same time protective and tender. Through their ambition in hosting events like the Game Festival, their great spirit in giving Outjo its face-lift, and their energetic participation in the town-of-the-year competition, their dream for their town has turned into a joyful reality. Outjo has certainly been put on the map by the warm love of its residents.