Our town
Okongo, Ohangwena Region
Uaandja Village Guesthouse has been part of Okongo’s story since April 1994. The town sits on the B10 / Kalahari Highway — about 100 km east of Eenhana, the regional capital, and about 111 km west of Mpungu Valley in Kavango West.
UVG is inbound east of the Roman Catholic Church and Total Service (Mwawapekange). Use the tabs below for Okongo’s history, places and institutions, landscape, and the events that bring people here each year.
How the village beganOkongo was established as a village by the late Hanyango under the traditional leadership of the late Elia Weyulu in the early 1940s. Around the same time, Finnish missionaries arrived through the Finnish Church and established their church here. Historical accounts describe Okongo as a place then mostly populated by wildlife — including elephant and lion. Cattle herders reared cattle, goats and horses in the area. San residents and others lived here as hunters of the animals in and around Okongo. |
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People, pastures and schoolAs families moved from western Namibia, the population grew. Many came for grazing. Others were drawn by missionary work, especially education. Oshela Primary School was among the first — if not the first — educational centre at Okongo. It is now Oshela Senior Secondary School. |
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UVG in the storyUaandja Village Guesthouse officially entered Okongo’s history in April 1994, then trading as “Uaandja Village.” Supervised by the Head Office / Reception Office, it has grown with the village — a home away from home for people passing through on the B10. |
Already here when UVG opened (1994)Around Okongo at that time were, among others:
A few residents also ran simple take-aways — ladies selling fat cakes and home-made bread under the trees in front of Okongo State Hospital. |
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Growth after the B10 (from about 2010)After the B10 Highway opened and government rolled out infrastructure, more businesses arrived from Namibia and beyond. Okongo now includes building-material suppliers, commercial banks, energy and telecommunications retailers, postal services, food retailers, independent street vendors, pharmacies, and hospitality and tourism businesses — a list that is still growing. |
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Government institutionsOkongo has a police station, a magistrate’s court and a prison. These facilities support security, safety and fair justice for residents and visitors. Okongo is a peaceful, stable and growing village. |
Natural settingThe surroundings of Okongo are part of its character: tall green trees, natural grassland, wildlife, sandy Kalahari terrain, and soils used for farming. |
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On the Kalahari HighwayThe Kalahari Highway passes through the town on the B10. UVG sits about 100 km east of Eenhana and about 111 km west of Mpungu Valley in Kavango West — inbound east of the Roman Catholic Church and Total Service (Mwawapekange). |
Okongo Omaludi FestivalThe patron of the festival is Dr. Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, President of the Republic of Namibia. Each year cultural performers, farmers, vendors, musicians and retailers gather in Okongo to show talent, produce and services. Some participants are rewarded for taking part. The festival promotes enjoyment, unity in diversity, and cultural respect. |
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Lt. Gen. (rt) Epafras Denga Ndaitwah Soccer TournamentNamibia’s first First Gentleman, Lt. Gen. (rt) Epafras Denga Ndaitwah, is patron of this annual tournament at Okongo. Teams from across Ohangwena Region come to play. The event supports skills among boy-child youth. The top three teams are rewarded. |
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Okongo ConservancyAbout 65–75 km east of Okongo, the conservancy has wildlife and is still in an early stage of development. Once fully developed it can attract local and foreign visitors, and nearby residents can offer services to travellers. |
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Nahas Ndevahoma AuctionAlso east of Okongo (about 65–75 km), this auction is where willing sellers offer livestock and willing buyers restock or trade. It shortens the journey between farms and the market. Stay with us when you come for the festival, a match, the auction, or a stop on the B10. |