Oranjemund is a town in the ǁKaras region of southern Namibia, located on the banks of the Orange River, on the border to South Africa.
Oranjemund was established in 1936 by DeBeers, a diamond mining company. Its sole purpose was to accommodate the mine workers, and it was run and operated privately by Namdeb until 2017. The town was accessible by road only via Alexander Bay in South Africa, on the opposite side of the Orange River. All people entering end exiting Oranjemund had to go through security gates to be screened for stolen diamonds. Cars could not cross these gates and had to be parked on either side. A permit was required for non-residents to enter the town, and it was issued only to applicants from within: tour operators, and, of course, the mining business.
Opened to the general public only in October 2017, Oranjemund is not a typical Namibian settlement: There is no informal housing, crime is virtually non-existent. People in bars talk about their work. Consequently there are almost no tourist facilities. If you are looking for ocean cruises, car rentals, day trips, then this is (still) the wrong place to go. However, the small town is quite attractive and relaxing due to its design. It is surrounded by a vegetation belt maintained by the residents with grey water from the mining business. Therefore, even though it is close to the Atlantic the wind is not as penetrating as in other Namibian coastal towns. Old, shady trees are everywhere, an abundance of playgrounds has been established, and wildlife like oryx roam the parks.
- Oranjemund Museum and Teagarden, 9th Avenue (in the town centre. Nice outdoor cafe. At 10 N$ for a plunger that holds four cups of coffee, this is the cheapest coffee in town, probably the country. The museum is a collection of old things nobody wanted to throw away: rocks, furniture, ethnic artefacts, withered wine bottles, tools, machinery, and lots of historic photos. Most exhibits are connected to the diamond mining history of the town. Interesting to see but the similar museum at Kolmanskop is larger and more impressive. Museum entrance is free.
Oranjemund Museum and Teagarden, 9th Avenue (in the town centre. Nice outdoor cafe. At 10 N$ for a plunger that holds four cups of coffee, this is the cheapest coffee in town, probably the country. The museum is a collection of old things nobody wanted to throw away: rocks, furniture, ethnic artefacts, withered wine bottles, tools, machinery, and lots of historic photos. Most exhibits are connected to the diamond mining history of the town. Interesting to see but the similar museum at [[Kolmanskop]] is larger and more impressive. Museum entrance is free.
- Go to the beach.
- Visit the golf course.
Go to the beach.
Visit the golf course.
There is a well-stocked Spar supermarket and bottlestore in the town centre.
The area code for Oranjemund is 063. There is cellphone coverage in town and along the main road, both from MTC and Telecom.
- 6km out of town is the Harry Oppenheimer Bridge over the Oranje River, and into South Africa, connecting the South African town of Alexander Bay. Continue your journey there into the Northern Cape along the R382.
- You cannot travel along the coast to Lüderitz, even though there is a road. The entire coastal strip is a restricted area due to its diamond deposits.
You cannot travel along the coast to [[Lüderitz]], even though there is a road. The entire coastal strip is a restricted area due to its diamond deposits.