Eenhana Accommodation

Namibia is divided into 14 regions, including the Ohangwena Region, which stretches along the country’s northern border with Angola. Eenhana serves as the regional capital and is one of the country’s most distinctive towns, surrounded by indigenous woodland and lush greenery that has earned it the proud nickname ‘the Green Side’.

Eenhana developed around a small water pan and was officially established as a settlement and administrative centre for the Ohangwena Region in 1992. Seven years later, on 15 April 1999, it was formally proclaimed a town. The name Eenhana is derived from the Oshikwanyama word for ‘calves’, referring to the young cattle that once gathered at the water pan to drink.

The town has undergone a remarkable transformation. During the South African occupation of Namibia, Eenhana served as a strategic military centre for the South African Defence Force and had little public infrastructure. Today, it is one of Namibia’s faster-growing towns, with surfaced roads, serviced land and an expanding commercial sector.

Its location close to Angola has also helped Eenhana develop into an important business and trading centre. The annual Eenhana Trade Fair provides a showcase for local enterprises, products and services and brings a lively atmosphere to the town.

Eenhana also has an important place in Namibia’s history. The Eenhana Memorial Shrine, situated in the northern part of the town, commemorates members of the People’s Liberation Army of Namibia (PLAN) who died during the country’s War of Independence. The site incorporates several mass graves and serves as a place of remembrance for those who lost their lives in the struggle for independence.

For travellers, Eenhana is also a useful base for exploring the surrounding region. The town lies along the extension of the Trans-Caprivi Highway, linking it with Rundu, Katima Mulilo and destinations towards Victoria Falls and Livingstone. Other attractions within reach include the Oukwanyama Kingdom and King Mandume Museum at Omhedi, the Omauni Community Conservancy and the Ondeshifiilwa Memorial Site.

With its combination of greenery, history, commerce and cultural heritage, Eenhana offers an interesting introduction to northern Namibia and the distinctive character of the Ohangwena Region.