Otjikoto Lake

Otjikoto Lake

Otjikoto Lake is one of only two natural lakes in Namibia. It is a small lake formed by the collapse of a karst cave. Located about 20 kilometers outside Tsumeb, Namibia, it lies close to the country’s main B1 highway.

The lake has a diameter of 102 meters and a vertical depth of just 142 meters. Its waters descend at the bottom, and no one knows exactly how deep they go. "Otjikoto" comes from the Otjiherero language and means “deep hole”; the indigenous San people, however, called it “Gaisis,” meaning “very ugly.” The first Europeans to discover the lake were the British explorer Francis Galton and the Swede Carl Johan Andersson, who stumbled upon it in 1851 while searching for Lake Ngami.

There is also an intriguing legend: during World War I, the German troops stationed here were vastly outnumbered by the British forces. After nearly a year of resistance, they finally surrendered. These determined Germans reportedly threw their weapons and military equipment into the lake—including a large number of lead-sealed safes containing six million gold marks—quite the temptation even today. The Namibian government has no treasure-hunting plans, and foreign explorers have not attempted any recovery efforts. The sunken safes remain a mystery to this day.

Today, Otjikoto Lake presents visitors with a perfectly round body of water, extraordinarily tranquil—its surface marked only by delicate ripples. It is exceptionally clear, almost devoid of any impurities, and strikingly green, as if the essence of nature’s greenery had been purified and poured into this spot. From the shore, one can see endless depths of green lurking within the lake, shimmering and bubbling with vitality.

Otjikoto Lake

Must-visit reason: Namibia’s most magical natural lake

Continent where the attraction is located: Africa【Africa】

Country/region where the attraction is located: Namibia[Namibia]

Province/state where the attraction is located: Oshikoto Region [Oshikoto Region]

City where the attraction is located: Tsumeb [Tsumeb]