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Tsumeb
ℹ️Practical info — Tsumeb
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🌤 Weather — 5 days
📍 Nearby
Sights nearby
💡 Tips
- Visit the Tsumeb Museum, world-renowned for its unique and rare mineral collection.
- Make a quick stop at Lake Otjikoto to see the sunken cannons from World War I.
- Use the town as a handy base for trips to the Etosha National Park via the eastern gate.
- Admire the blooming Jacaranda trees in spring, which turn the streets into a sea of purple.
- Park in guarded spots in the town center and never leave valuables visible inside the car.
🍽 Food
Find traditional pastries based on German recipes in the cafes in the town center.
Visit the fruit stalls along the main road for produce from the surrounding commercial farms.
Specialized butcheries here offer a wide variety of dried game meat.
🛍 Shopping · 🧘 Quiet spots
Purchase rare minerals and semi-precious stones directly in the 'mineral capital'.
Local handicrafts often produced by regional artists available at stalls in town.
A green oasis in the town center, good for a relaxing walk in the shade.
Located a bit further out, this sinkhole lake gives absolute silence and deep blue waters.
Water temperature…
Tsumeb, often referred to as the 'Gateway to the North,' is located in the Oshikoto Region and is world-renowned for its exceptional mineral diversity. The town was founded in 1905 with the opening of the copper mine, which for decades was one of the richest in the world, producing over 200 different minerals. The lush vegetation and blooming Jacaranda trees give Tsumeb a garden-like character that contrasts with the drier surrounding landscape. A historical highlight is the Tsumeb Museum, which features insights into the mining history and the region's past. Nearby natural wonders include Lake Otjikoto and Lake Guinas, two karst lakes formed by collapsed caves. During World War I, the German colonial forces dumped weapons and ammunition into Lake Otjikoto, some of which are now displayed in the museum. Today, Tsumeb is a key starting point for travelers visiting Etosha National Park and serves as a significant agricultural center.
- Location: Namibia
- Top sights: Tsumeb Museum · St. Barbara
- Nearby: Grootfontein (57 km)
- Population: ~22.845 (2024)
Best time to visit & climate
The most pleasant time to visit is May, Jun, Aug.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg °C | 26 | 26 | 25 | 24 | 21 | 18 | 17 | 21 | 25 | 28 | 28 | 27 |
| Rain mm | 124 | 109 | 78 | 27 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 16 | 57 | 81 |
Geography
Facts
- The town was officially established in 1905.
- Over 240 different mineral species have been found in the Tsumeb mine.
- Lake Otjikoto is located about 24 kilometers northwest of the town.
- The Hoba Meteorite, the world's largest, is located in the vicinity.
- Tsumeb is situated at an elevation of approximately 1,310 meters.
- The town has a population of around 20,000 residents.
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Route planner — Car & Motorhome
Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.
© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService
Sights in the town Tsumeb (2)
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