It lies on the border with Angola on the banks of the Kavango River, about 1,000 metres (3,300 feet) above sea level.

[4] Since 1993, its St. Mary's Cathedral is the episcopal seat of the Roman Catholic Apostolic Vicariate of Rundu.

In 2020 the town had 18,219 of the informal housing structures, accommodating more than 76,000 inhabitants,[8] more than the most recent (2011) census reported as total population figure.

The houses are mainly two bedroom homes with large backyards even though they are situated next to the central business district.

This area was previously occupied by executives of the white-dominated businessplace, but now it is open for any willing buyer in need of a quiet neighbourhood.

Kehemu (Ghetto), Kaisosi (also known by the locals as Cali), Sauyemwa (SA), and Ndama are the most informal areas while a fourth, Donkerhoek (Dark Corner), is rapidly becoming formal since the Build Together Campaign was begun in 1992.

It's the largest hospital in the Kavango East region of the country A Namibian Defence Force is in Rundu.

Several local restaurants serve traditional food including mahangu, ground nuts, stewed meats, and fish from the Okavango River.

There are five tertiary Institutions in Rundu, namely the University of Namibia, the Institute of Open Learning (IOL), the Rundu Vocational Training Centre, the Namibia College of Open Learning (NAMCOL), and Triumphant College.