Major city · Namibia
Oshakati
Skip unless you have business or family in the north: Oshakati is a transport hub, not a tourist town. Half a day is enough to see the open market and the Totem Expo if it's on.
Oshakati is the commercial centre of the Owambo heartland, one of Namibia's most populous regions but one that draws few tourists. The town sits on the B1 highway, 40 minutes from the Angolan border. Most travellers use it as a fuel-and-supplies stop en route to or from Etosha, the Zambezi region or Angola. The main draw is the Dr. Frans Aupa Indongo Open Market and, if you time it right, the annual Oshakati Totem Expo (June or July).
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- NAD
- Best months
- May–Sep (dry, cooler days)
- avoid Dec–Mar (hottest, wettest)
- Airport
- Ondangwa (OND)
- Nights
- 1
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 7Nine African countries on this site have no trip line bec…Across the subregion, plan every road leg to arrive befor…
- Africa ↗When a route touches a yellow-fever country — even a transit of 12 hours or more — keep the original yellow card (ICVP) in your hand luggage; health desks and airlines can refuse boarding or entry without it.
- Africa ↗Nine African countries on this site have no trip line because governments advise against travel; several others have no-go regions. Read your government's advice for every country on the route before paying deposits.
- Southern Africa ↗A rental car may leave its home country only with the rental company's cross-border letter, the registration papers and paid road taxes at each post; driving into Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique or Angola without them ends at the border.
- Southern Africa ↗Across the subregion, plan every road leg to arrive before sunset: livestock, wildlife, pedestrians and unlit trucks make night driving the main cause of serious visitor accidents.
- Namibia ↗Check visa and entry rules for your passport on official Namibian government sources before booking: since 1 April 2025 citizens of 33 countries, including the US, UK, most of the EU, Canada and Australia, need a visa on arrival or an e-visa.
- Namibia ↗Taking a rental car into Botswana, South Africa, Zambia or Zimbabwe needs written permission from the rental company and the right papers; ask when you book.
- Namibia ↗Etosha gates open at sunrise and close at sunset: you must be inside a camp or out of the park by closing time.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Oshakati081 924 ▾
- Ambulance and rescue (private, E-Med Rescue 24)081 924
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Oshakati, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Namibian dollar (NAD, N$), pegged 1:1 to the South African rand; rand is accepted in Namibia…Namibia-wide
- SIM or eSIMMTC has the widest coverage; TN Mobile is the alternative.Namibia-wide
- Tap waterTap water is safe in Windhoek and main towns (Windhoek recycles water to drinking standard).Namibia-wide
- TippingRestaurant: About 10%.Namibia-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets D/M. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Namibia-wide
- SafetyOshakati is generally safe during the day, but avoid walking alone after dark.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsClean at fuel stations, lodges and park camps; few facilities between towns.Namibia-wide
- Emergency numbers081 924 ambulance and rescue (private, e-med rescue 24) (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysSmall-town shops close Saturday afternoon and Sunday; fuel stations in towns are open daily.Namibia-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportOND Ondangwa Airport (About 25 km (16 mi) east; shared taxi or private transfer.OND Ondangwa Airport (About 16 mi (25 km) east; shared taxi or private transfer.
- Getting aroundShared taxis cover the town and nearby Ondangwa; most trips within Oshakati cost about N$12 per passenger.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- BeerBeer at a barN$15–25
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Shared taxi within townN$12 per person
- Budget bedGuesthouse double room, a night, per roomNAD 400
- Mid-range bedGuesthouse double room, a night, per roomNAD 600
- High-end bedGuesthouse double room, a night, per roomNAD 900
A day, not counting the bed: Budget NAD 400 · Mid NAD 700 · High NAD 1,200
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- OND Ondangwa Airport (About 25 km (16 mi) east; shared taxi or private transfer. Flights from Windhoek (check).)OND Ondangwa Airport (About 16 mi (25 km) east; shared taxi or private transfer. Flights from Windhoek (check).)
Map of Oshakati
Where it is, and the guides within about 120 km.
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Feb
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Mar
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Apr
not flagged
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
May
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Jun
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Jul
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Aug
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Sep
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Oct
not flagged
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Nov
not flagged
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Dec
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Best: May–Sep. Avoid: Dec–Mar. Month by month →
Warmest Oct (33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)), coolest Jun (10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C) low), wettest Jan (10 rain days), driest Jun (0). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Oshakati: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
10 rd
Feb
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
10 rd
Mar
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
10 rd
Apr
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
5 rd
May
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
1 rd
Jun
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
0 rd
Jul
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
0 rd
Aug
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
0 rd
Sep
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
1 rd
Oct
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
4 rd
Nov
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
8 rd
Dec
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
9 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Shared taxis cover the town and nearby Ondangwa; most trips within Oshakati cost about N$12 per passenger. Walking is fine in the central area during daylight.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Etosha National Park (King Nehale gate)
goDoor to door: About 1.5 h
Self-drive north on the B1, then east on the C46; about 1 h 30 min
The northern gate is less busy than the main Andersson gate. Best in dry season (Jun–Oct).
Ondangwa
cautionDoor to door: About 30 min
Shared taxi or self-drive east on the B1; about 20 min
Similar market town; only worth it if you need the airport or a specific shop.
Angolan border (Santa Clara / Oshikango)
cautionDoor to door: About 45 min
Self-drive north on the B1; about 40 min
Border crossing for onward travel; check visa requirements for Angola in advance.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Along the B1 (main road)
Rocha's Hotel and a few guesthouses; convenient for a one-night stop.
Town centre
More basic options near the market; check recent reviews for cleanliness.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- NAD 300–500 excl. bed
- Mid
- NAD 500–900 excl. bed
- High
- NAD 900+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Hotel double room (e.g. Rocha's)1 × 1 night × NAD 600 | NAD 600 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × NAD 700 | NAD 1,400 |
| Shared taxi within town (one trip)2 × NAD 12 | NAD 24 |
| Meal at a market or local restaurant2 × NAD 80 | NAD 160 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | NAD 218 |
| Trip total≈ NAD 1,201 per person per day, bed included | NAD 2,402 |
2026 estimate in NAD; flights and car rental excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Shared taxi within town | N$12 per person |
| Meal at the open market (cooked food) | N$30–60 |
| Beer at a bar | N$15–25 |
| Rocha's Hotel double room | N$470 (check) |
| Petrol (per litre) | about N$20 (check) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- The B1 is a busy truck route; take care when walking near the highway.
- Last shared taxis run until around 20:00; after that, negotiate a private ride.Last shared taxis run until around 8:00 PM; after that, negotiate a private ride.
- The Totem Expo dates vary: check the official Oshakati town council website before planning.
Emergency numbers
- Ambulance and rescue (private, E-Med Rescue 24)
- 081 924
Pocket card
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OshakatiOshakati
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Koshitopolwa shika, tulombwelaTo this address, please
Emergency
- Ambulance and rescue (private, E-Med Rescue 24)081 924
Embassy
No embassies in Oshakati; the US and most countries run embassies in Windhoek (check).
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Shared taxi within Oshakati: about N$12 per passenger (2021 revision; check)
- Shared taxi Ondangwa → Oshakati: inexpensive; ask the driver before boarding (check)
- Rocha's Hotel double room: N$470 (2021 revision; check)
Say or show
- Wa lalapo — Hello (wa la-la-po)
- Tangi — Thank you (tan-gi)
- Oshike omolwa? — How much is it? (check)
- Open market iri peni? — Where is the market? (check)
- Ohandi vulu okufuta nokarta? — Can I pay by card? (check)
- Toilet iri peni? — Where is the toilet? (check)
Shared taxis stop running around 20:00; after that negotiate a private ride. The B1 is a truck route: cross with care.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Oshakati. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: May–Sep (dry, cooler days) · avoid Dec–Mar (hottest, wettest) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
Ask about Oshakati
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