Visit museums this holiday

Wondering what to do in the #067valley during the festive season?

Apart from admiring nature and visiting landmarks such as Outjo’s Vingerklip, Tsumeb’s Otjikoto-lake or Grootfontein’s meteorite, there are also museums to visit.

Tsumeb Museum is a must see for geology and history enthusiasts, paying a tribute to the town’s mining industry and its history, as well as some restored artillery and other artifacts of the Shutztruppe recovered from the Otjikoto lake. The museum’s hours are 09:00 to 12:00 and 14:00 to 17:00 on weekdays, as well as from 09:00 to 12:00 on Saturdays. Groups can make special arrangements to visit the museum on Saturday afternoons, Sundays and public holidays.

Located in the southern outskirts just 3 kilometers from the town centre, the Helvi Mpingana Kondombolo Cultural Village is an open-air museum highlighting the history, lifestyle, culture and talent of the Namibian tribal communities. It houses traditional huts, the homesteads of Namibia’s ethnic communities, an information centre and a display of craft products. There is a large paved area where cultural performances are held seasonally. It is open on weekdays from 07:30 to 16:30 and on Saturdays from 08:00 to 13:00, but closed on Sundays and public holidays.

The Grootfontein Museum, situated in the 126 year “Das Alte Fort” which was built by the Shutztruppe and declared a national monument, also pays a tribute to the town’s history. It showcases everything from a blacksmith's oxwagon factory to historic agricultural items, minerals found in the Abenab-, Berg Aukas- and Kombat mines as well as artifacts from various ethnic groups of Namibia. The Fort itself has a rich history as it also accommodated Angolan refugees, as well as served as a hostel for school children. Groups can arrange to visit the museum by calling 067 242 456.

The Museum of Namibian Fashion in Otjiwarongo that opened its doors in June this year, showcases past, present and future fashion artefacts and knowledge about different aspects of fashion from Namibia. The museum can be visited on weekdays between 08:00 and 17:00 (closed during lunch). On Thursdays it closes at 21:00 .

Outjo Museum is situated in the Franke House, originally called the Kliphuis and one of Outjo’s earliest buildings. It was constructed in 1899 by order of Major von Estorff as a residence for himself and subsequent German commanders. The focus of the museum is political and natural history. It can be visited on weekdays between 8:00 and 17:00.