Kavango East is one of Namibia’s 14 regions, situated in the northeast along the Kavango River and covers an area of 23 983.2 km2. 

Its administrative centre is Rundu, the only urban area. It lies in the middle of the Kavango Basin, bordering both Angola and Botswana. 

The region boasts abundant natural resources and stunning scenery – thanks to its rivers, woodlands and wildlife, all supported by above-average rainfall, making it highly appealing. 

The area is overseen by the regional council and is divided into six constituencies: Mashare, Mukwe, Ndiyona, Ndonga Linena, Rundu Rural and Rundu Urban. 

The distribution of language speakers largely reflects the area’s tribal regions. 

About 46% of the population in the former Kavango region speaks Rukwangali, the language of the Vakwangali and Mbunza ethnic groups. 

Additionally, 21% speak Angolan languages, mainly Nyemba, while 18% speak Rumanyo, spoken by the Vagciriku and Shambyu ethnic groups. 

About 8% communicate in Thimbukushu, spoken by the Mbukushu ethnic group. 

Other Namibian languages, mostly Oshiwambo, are spoken by 5%, while European languages account for 2%.