#2: [21-Jul-09]

16-Feb-2004 -- The development of a new hospital at Ongwediva by Erongo Medical Services took us to the far northern region of beautiful Namibia. Driving northwards on the B1 towards Ondangwa, we came within 10 km of this Confluence. At Onethindi, shortly before the major town Ondangwa, we turned left towards Olukonda. After 6 km the tarred road turned to gravel and after a few minutes we got within 2 km of the Confluence. We followed a small track towards the west, until an "Oshona" (waterlogged pan) prevented further access for the Audi.

The final 1.5 km my wife Nadia and children Laura (5) and Sebastian (4) joined me on foot, through the pre-thunderstorm heat of 36 degrees Celsius. The anticipated distance was much longer, as we had to go around many Mahango fields.

The Confluence is situated in the rural area, amongst many traditional Owambo homesteads (Kraal), surrounded by Mahango fields. The beautiful Makalani palm trees form a picturesque palm savannah landscape, very typical for this part of the world. We found the Confluence on what seemed to be the only slight rise.

Not far from the Confluence are the Nakambale Mission House, Church and Cemetery. A museum is located in the mission house (built in 1893) of the Finnish missionary Martti Rautanen. The mission house, together with the original mission church (built in 1889), the first church built in Northern Namibia, and the graveyard form the Olukonda National Monument.