Namutoni - Etosha, Namibia
Posted by: 
Torgut
S 18° 48.516 E 016° 56.415
33K E 704474 N 7919233
An old German fort now the core of the camping site and resort with the same name in the National Park of Etosha
Waymark Code: WM1AH2J
Location: Namibia
Date Posted: 08/19/2024
Views: 3
Etosha National Park is probably the most important tourist attraction in Namibia. After all, it's there that all the big famous animals can be seen on the wild, and easily. In fact there are so many animals that it's strictly forbidden to leave the vehicles except in the official camps existing in the park.
Namutoni is one of these camps. There the visitor will find a campground, bungalows, restaurant, gas station, supermarket, souvenir shop, a water hole for animals observation and... an old fort.
In fact the fort was the core of everything. Built originally in 1901 was destroyed during the wars between Germany - who controlled those lands by then - and the native tribes. It was rebuilt in 1904 with the traces that we can see now. But the final fort is the result of a deep renovation which took place in 1950.
It was the place for a fierce battle which took place in that very same year. See full story here: (
visit link)
There is a plaque by the gate, referring to the German men who repulsed the attack on the fort on that day. See image. It's in German and it translates as "On 28 January 1904, 500 Ovambo attacked the station. Seven brave German men victoriously repulsed the attack".
Nowadays it can be visited but the rooms are closed and not much goes on inside. The highlight is the climbing to the top of the main tower, which offers amazing views over the surrounding area.