8 Best Things To Do In Rundu, Namibia

1. Relax at Hacienda Park and Playground

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

Hacienda Park and Playground is a simple yet relaxing park that offers visitors a great place to sit back, relax, and just enjoy the scenery. It has a number of tables and chairs that guests can use to have a nice picnic.

There is a hammock available as well for those who want to lie down and relax under a tree. The park also has a playground where little kids can play and enjoy themselves as their parents sit back and relax.

Hacienda park and playground

Address: Kaisosi river site 300m East of kaisosi boarder, post, Rundu, Namibia

Opening hours: Tue - Thu: 10am - 10pm; Fri: 10am - 11:30pm; Sat: 10am - 12am; Sun: 9:30am - 8pm (closed on Mon)

2. Walk along the river

One of the best things in Rundu is the river side. The Okavango River is the natural border between Namibia and Angola, making all the hippos and crocodiles, citizens without a country. Walking along the Okavango is calming and you might, at times, meet people bathing, here. Don’t try to visit alone, though as crocodiles and hippos are not always friendly to people who invade their territory!

Okavango River

Address: North of Rundu

3. Enjoy the sunset at the Kaisosi River Lodge

The Kaisosi River Lodge is a bit outside the town, about 7 km (4.3 miles) east of Rundu, but accessible by taxi. It’s located right at the riverside, making it a perfect spot for watching the sunset. The lodge also serves food - mostly western options - so, in case you get hungry, you can enjoy dinner, here. Should you feel like going on a boat trip, give them a call and book a place on their sunset boat cruise. They actually organize boat trips all through the day, it doesn’t have to be for sunset, so, check them out.

Kaisosi River Lodge

Address: P.O. Box 599, Rundu, Namibia

Contact: +264 81 249 5090

Website: Kaisosi River Lodge

4. Explore the Rundu Open Market

Founded in 1996, the Rundu Open Market is where you can find a wide variety of things, from local food and drinks to clothes, shoes, beans and flour. It’s an interesting place to pass through. You can see some Namibian crafts here and interact with the sellers - they are very friendly and welcoming to tourists. Although it’s not huge, it’s the largest open market in Rundu and depending on the time of day, it can be either crowded or rather empty.

Rundu Open Market

Address: Markus Siwarongo Street, Rundu, Namibia

5. Mbunza Living Museum

There are many living museums across Namibia. The concept is intended to bring extra income to local communities while giving tourists an opportunity to experience the culture and habits of different ethnic groups. The environments and outfits are often reproduced from old photographs. To get to Mbunza Living Museum, you have to drive 14 km (8.7 miles), west of Rundu. The living museums show the pre-colonial lifestyle of the Kavango area. Everything is presented in the local language (Rukwangali), but the guide will translate for you, into English. If you want to buy souvenirs, there’s also a small craft shop on the premises.

Mbunza Living Museum

Address: Samsitu Lake, Rundu, Namibia

Contact: +264 81 215 2496

Website: Mbunza Living Museum

6. Visit the museum at St. Joseph’s Catholic Mission

There aren’t many museums in the north of Namibia, but one of them is inside the church of St. Joseph’s Catholic Mission. Getting there is a bit of a drive since it’s 34 km (21 miles) away from Rundu. This mission was established in 1930 and it has a church, two hostels (one for boys, one for girls), a school and a clinic. The museum provides information about the region, mostly historical facts, so it’s a good learning opportunity. If you’re driving past Ngone Village, do make sure to stop for a short visit.

St. Joseph’s Catholic Mission

Address: Ngone Village, Shambyu, Kavango Region, Namibia (34 km/21 miles from Rundu)

7. Explore Rundu Beach

Rundu Beach is next to Tambuti Lodge, on the northeast side of town. The area has some stone tables and benches, from where you can admire the river. The tables and benches also come in handy if you want to organize a picnic or a barbecue. However, don’t expect an actual luxurious sand beach in Rundu - rather, it’s the riverbank. The area was supposed to be transformed into a touristic site, through a funded project, but the project failed, hence Rundu Beach is a bit deserted now, but it’s still a good spot for hanging out on a lazy afternoon and worth checking out.

Rundu beach

Address:1123 Tutungeni, Rundu, Namibia

8. Ncumcara Community Forestry Craft Centre

If you are interested in wood carvings, Ncumcara Community Forestry Craft Centre is the place to find them. The products are high quality, made by local artists. All the profits from the craft centre benefit the local community, making the project a sustainable one. Even if you’re not interested in buying things, you can stop by to have a look and be amazed at the carving skills of the local people. You can also compare these products with those from other parts of Namibia.

Ncumcara Community Forestry Craft Centre

Address: South of Rundu, on B8 road

Count hippos and crocodiles and wave to Angola

A visit to Rundu gives you the opportunity to count hippos and crocodiles and wave to Angola. If you take a boat cruise, it’s an interesting view to the other side of the river, where you can see small Angolan villages, most of them without access to electricity. You might also notice people bathing in the river or doing their laundry. Although it’s just a river that separates Namibia and Angola, the lifestyle seems very different. So even if Rundu might not be the most exciting place in the world, it’s worth it to stop and ponder.