Description
The Epupa Falls (also known as Monte Negro Falls in Angola) are created by the Kunene River on the border of Angola and Namibia, in the Kaokoland area of the Kunene Region. The river is 0.5 km wide and drops in a series of waterfalls spread over 1.5 km, with the greatest single drop being 37 m. Besides the main fall, the river thunderes over the many side falls also (if you are there at the right time).
The name "Epupa" is a Herero word for "foam", in reference to the foam created by the falling water. The Kunene River is one of Namibia’s five perennial rivers. Nonetheless the water level changes depending on the annual rain falls so that the natural spectacle Epupa Falls is subject to seasonal fluctuations. The best months to view the falls are April and May.
The Ruacana Falls in northern Namibia are located 135 km upstream.
Epupa Falls is known for nomadic people, the Ovahimba people. While there are further tribes like Ovatjimba, Ovazemba and Ovatwe people. Migration to Epupa Falls is constantly increasing due to high Tourism growth, which further sees tribes like Herero and Oshiwambo speaking people migrate to the area.
Besides four high price lodges, there is Motjikutu campsite, which is a locally owned campsite with a great overview about the falls. There is nothing on the Angolan side.
Activities range from guided tours to the Falls and Himba villages around Epupa Falls, bird watching, excursions to see crocodile and a variety of vegetation featuring trees like Baobab and Mopane trees - the dominant species in the area.
A 4WD vehicle is recommended to reach them from Opuwo on the C43. It is advisable to top up on fuel, water and food supplies in Opuwo before departing to Epupa as shopping opportunities are scarce there. For 4*4 vehicles only : the “road” along the river connecting Epupa and Swartbooisdrift is infamous amongst experienced off road drivers. But there is a pavement going on, we needed “only” 3h from Kunene River lodge to Epupa.
Geology
The Waterfall is located on the border between the gneisses of the Epupa Complex and the weakly metamorphic sedimentary rocks of the Damara Sequence.
The rocks at the waterfall consist of granite gneisses of the Epupa complex with migmatitic hornblende ore, amphibolites and aplitic corridors of the Congo craton. The Epupa complex is the oldest stratigraphic unit characterized by granitic gneisses with bands of mafic hornblende ore, which vary considerably in their content.
It occurs mainly in the northwest of the country and is intruded by the 2.2 billion year old Kunene complex. Granite gneiss from the Katazone of regional metamorphosis were created at a depth of 30-35km at 700-800ºC and at around 9000atm pressure.
At Epupa the waters of the Kunene fall over a steep step of granite gneisses and special at sunset you can admire the different colors around the falls.
EC
To log this EC, you have to walk down the George of the Kunene river for about 1km from the gate (be careful and take plenty of water!). At the coordinates you will find a solid construction. Please answer the following questions:
- What are the colors of the formation the construction is based on and how could you describe the surface of the formation?
- What is the construction and kind of science it is used for?
- Please estimate the distance from water level of the Kunene river to the basement of the construction and add a picture of your GPS (not required for the log, but highly appreciated!)
Please sent us your answer to our email account above and feel free to log directly. Do not forget your nickname in the email - we will inform you if the answer is not correct. Logs without an email will be deleted after 14 days
Sources
Grünert, N. (2003). Namibias faszinierende Geologie. Ein Reisehandbuch; Klaus Hess Verlag, Göttingen, 3. Auflage
http://www.kunene.riverawarenesskit.com/KUNENERAK_COM/EN/RIVER/GEOGRAPHY/GEOLOGY.HTM Geological MAP, AHT GROUP AG 2010
