Hoba Meteorite

The Hoba Meteorite is the largest known meteorite on Earth and the heaviest naturally occurring piece of iron ever discovered. Weighing an estimated 50–60 tonnes, the Hoba mass has remained exactly where it fell, making it one of Namibia’s most spectacular and accessible natural relics.

Hoba lies on Hoba West Farm, about 20 km west of Grootfontein. The site is well signposted from the B8 road, and a short gravel track leads to a small visitor area with steps descending to the meteorite.

Access is easy for most travellers, with parking, shade shelters and basic facilities provided at the site.

The meteorite is classified as an iron meteorite (nickel-rich ataxite) composed of approximately:

• 82–84% iron
• ~16% nickel
• trace amounts of cobalt and other metals

Radiometric dating places its formation at around 4 billion years old, although it likely fell to Earth less than 80,000 years ago.
Its unusually flat underside and shape may have caused it to skip or slow dramatically in the atmosphere, allowing it to land without creating a crater.

The meteorite’s size and pristine condition make it one of the most scientifically valuable meteoritic finds in the world.

The meteorite was discovered in 1920 by a farmer ploughing his land. Named after the farm on which it sits, the Hoba Meteorite quickly became a national curiosity and later a formal heritage site.

It was proclaimed a National Monument in 1955, and in 1987, the owner donated it to the Namibian state. The site was later developed into a small open-air monument for public viewing.

The meteorite measures roughly:

• 2.7 m long
• 2.7 m wide
• ~1 m thick

The surface exhibits shallow depressions known as regmaglypts (thumbprint marks), which are formed by melting during atmospheric entry. 

Weathering has created a thin, rust-coloured patina over the meteorite, though its underlying iron-nickel composition remains intact.

Despite being exposed for decades, Hoba remains in excellent condition due to its dense metallic structure. Conservation measures include restricting direct climbing and applying protective coatings as needed. 

Visitors are prohibited from striking, scraping or removing metal, as even small actions can cause lasting damage.

The Hoba Meteorite is open to the public during daylight hours and can be visited with a short walk from the parking area. The site features a circular seating area that allows visitors to observe the meteorite from all sides.

Early morning or late afternoon visits provide the best lighting for photography, and the sheltered seating makes the location a pleasant stop for travellers heading toward the Kavango or Etosha regions.