Namibia: Otjikoto and Guinas Lakes

Charles John Anderson (1827-1867) started a very intensive ornithology of Namibia. Anderson travelled to the north of Namibia with Sir Francis Galton (1822-1911), a traveller and amateur scientist, who provided financial assistance of Familiar Chat. Together they discovered Lake Otjicoto.

A confidant of the Herero Chief Mahareto, Anderson was wounded in the leg during the battle of Rehoboth between Herero and the Nama. Thomas Baines (1820-1875)took the wounded Anderson to Barmen (near present day Okahandja) to recover. Anderson remained a cripple but this did not interfere with his third, and successful attempt to reach the Kunene River.

On this occasion he was accompanied by his friend Axel Eriksson. On his return journey Anderson fell ill and died in ovamboland where he is buried. Many legends surround these lakes.

A favourite myth is that Otjikoto and its sister lake Guinas are bottomless. This misconception was given durability because the body of a former postmaster of Tsumeb, Johannes Cook, who drowned in Otjikoto in 1927, was never found.

The depth of Otjikoto varies from 33-90 metres. Shaped something like an upside-down mushroom, it was formed when the roof of a huge dolomite cave collapsed.

Stalactite samples taken from an underwater cave have been estimated to be about 80 000 years old. A rare, mouth breeding species of fish is found in Otjikoto and Guinas Lakes. Guinas lies to the north west of Otjikoto. Otjikoto Lake became a watery grave of German armaments during World War 1. On further explorations of Otjikoto’s mysterious green depths, the members of the Windhoek Underwater Club discovered museum which qualified divers can now explore at a depth of 55m. Covering an area of 25 m by 5 m, armaments and weaponry dating back to the First World War can be viewed. Visitors to Namibia, who are qualified divers, are welcome to join club members on a journey of underwater exploration at Lake Otjikoto. The 130 m deep Lake Guinas is noted for its beautiful setting and the dark inky blue colour of its water. However, since it is on a farm, permission to view it needs to be obtained from the owner. Return back from Otjikoto and Guinas Lakes to homepage Contact us Return back from Otjikoto and Guinas Lakes to Namibia Tourist Attractions