Located near the border with Angola, Rundu is a Namibian city that ranks fifth in terms of population. When visiting, you'll find yourself immersed in an atmosphere that blends urban and rural character—it's the gateway to the wild bushland territories of the Kavango. It's a safe haven for backpackers and an ideal stopover for those venturing into the region's exploration. In the city centre, numerous supermarkets stock everything you need for provisioning (food items, petrol station, restaurants, bars, banks, post office, and more).

Rundu serves as a stopover for travellers looking to venture further and discover Zambia and Botswana's major attractions. Before reaching Katima Mulilo, you won't find supermarkets until Divundu, and those are smaller and often inadequate for restocking. Rundu is thus the perfect place to stock up. Do keep luggage limited, though—at the borders with Botswana and Zambia, customs searches can be thorough and may involve emptying vehicles and coolers. To immerse yourself in local culture, be sure to visit the craft market. Here you can admire and purchase works from neighbouring villages: masks, pottery, basketwork, wild teak sculptures, wooden toys, and more. You'll also find artisanal items near petrol stations and in small roadside shelters along the B8 route on either side of town.

Visit Twyfelfontein

Among the attractions to discover near Rundu, Twyfelfontein invites you to witness some impressive cultural heritage. The site sits near an eponymous water spring. This water source is no accident—the location was carefully chosen by Bushmen communities. You'll observe numerous engravings carved into red sandstone, remarkably well preserved. The animals depicted in these images are easily recognizable. Nearly 2,500 engravings adorn the site, some dating back over 5,000 years. As you begin your tour, you'll admire a splendid rhinoceros. You'll also spot a seal, suggesting Bushmen contact with coastal regions. There are also traces of eland and kudu hoofprints carved onto an imposing stone. Don't miss exploring the caves—they contain rock paintings evoking traditional Bushmen scenes. The site holds one of Africa's largest concentrations of rock art.

Go on safari in the Swakopmund Desert

To make the most of a safari in the Swakopmund Desert, you can engage the services of Batis Birding Safaris, a private company specializing in the field. It offers, among other things, tours to spot the "little 5"—the snake, chameleon, spider, gecko, and lizard. It's an opportunity to admire Namibia's stunning landscape in all its forms, from the arid Namib Desert to the magnificent wetlands of the Okavango region. You'll experience something unique while discovering local geology and biodiversity. You'll also have the option of themed excursions (butterflies, botany, photography, and more).

Visit Swakopmund Museum

This is a private museum founded in 1951 by Allan Weber. Scenes of life in the Namib Desert are on display, along with the region's fauna and flora. The museum houses the country's most important collection of bird eggs. You can also see mineral exhibitions. In the historical section, you'll discover Swakopmund during the pioneer era. In the ethnological section, you'll observe a collection of musical instruments. Excursions to explore the Rössing uranium mine are occasionally offered by the museum.

Rundu has a warm, humid subtropical climate with dry winters. Throughout the year, temperatures average 23.5°C, while rainfall averages 471.8mm annually. As for the ideal time to visit, April, September, and November are very favourable. You can also enjoy pleasant stays during February, March, May, August, and December.