Windhoek

Namibia's capital and the starting point for road trips, with German colonial architecture, the Independence Memorial Museum, the Katutura district and game farms on the outskirts.

Windhoek is Namibia's capital and largest city, set in a basin at about 1,650 m in the Khomas Highland in the centre of the country. With a population of about 450,000, it is also where most visitors begin and end their Namibian road trips. The city retains a strong German colonial imprint: the Christuskirche, the Alte Feste, the Tintenpalast and the three small castles on the hillside east of the centre are all close together, in striking contrast to the North Korean-built Independence Memorial Museum and Heroes' Acre. The Gibeon meteorites on Post Street Mall and the craft centre are good for picking up souvenirs. In the Katutura district to the north you can join a local guided tour and try kapana, beef grilled fresh at the roadside; Joe's Beerhouse is the classic place to try game meat. On the outskirts, the Daan Viljoen reserve, Okapuka Ranch and the N/a'an ku sê Wildlife Sanctuary offer a taste of safari before you set off on a long drive. The city has a semi-arid highland climate: May–Oct is the dry season, with clear, mild days and nights that can drop close to 0°C; Nov–Mar is the rainy season, with frequent afternoon thunderstorms. The international airport is about 45 km from the city, so hire a car with driver or book a transfer in advance. One or two days in the city is usually enough, typically spent picking up a rental car, buying supplies and getting over jet lag. Safety can be an issue: avoid walking at night and don't leave belongings in your car.

Top sights

• Christuskirche – Windhoek’s most famous landmark: a neo-Romanesque Lutheran church completed in 1910, rising from a city-center roundabout like a fairy-tale…
• Independence Memorial Museum – A museum shaped like a golden “coffee pot,” built by North Korea’s Mansudae Overseas Projects, that tells the story of Namibia’s struggle a…
• Tintenpalast – A German colonial-era administration building nicknamed 'Ink Palace', now the seat of the National Assembly of Namibia, with a parliament g…
• Alte Feste – Windhoek's oldest building, a white fortress built by German colonial troops in 1890 that witnessed the city's beginnings.
• Katutura & Single Quarters Market – A Black township formed under apartheid, now a lively neighbourhood, best known for the Single Quarters Market and its freshly grilled beef…
• Joe's Beerhouse – Windhoek's most famous restaurant, an open-air beerhouse crammed with quirky collectibles, serving game meats such as kudu, zebra and ostri…
• Daan Viljoen Game Park – A low-hill wildlife reserve about 20 km west of the city, where you can see zebras, giraffes and antelope by car or on foot without venturi…
• Okapuka Ranch – A private game farm about 30 km north of the capital, where you can see white rhinos, giraffes and antelope from open safari vehicles, and…
• Nǀa'an ku sê Wildlife Sanctuary – A wildlife rescue centre near the airport where you can learn up close about the rescue and protection of cheetahs, lions, leopards and Afr…
• Heroes' Acre – A national memorial park on a hillside south of the city, designed by North Korea's Mansudae company, with a huge obelisk and an Unknown So…
• Zoo Park – A green park beside Independence Avenue in the city centre, with a monument marking an ancient elephant-hunting site and a column commemora…
• Post Street Mall & Gibeon Meteorites – A city-centre pedestrian street where 33 iron meteorites collected from the Gibeon meteorite shower are displayed in the middle, with stall…
• Namibia Craft Centre – A craft market in a converted old brewery building, bringing together woodcarvings, weaving, leather goods and jewellery from community wor…
• Heinitzburg & the Three Castles – Three small colonial-era castles on the hillside east of the city. Heinitzburg is now a hotel, and its terrace is a classic spot for watchi…
• Avis Dam – A reservoir and nature reserve on the eastern outskirts of the city, with a loop trail for hiking, jogging and birdwatching, popular with l…

Where to eat

• Joe's Beerhouse – Windhoek's best-known game beerhouse, seating about 580, famous for its five-meat game skewer and German pork knuckle.
• Stellenbosch Wine Bar Bistro – Tripadvisor's top-ranked steakhouse in Windhoek, serving flame-grilled aged steaks with a broad South African wine list.
• Xwama Traditional Restaurant – A thatched traditional restaurant in Katutura serving home-style dishes from northern Oshiwambo cooking, including free…

Itineraries

• Coastal Town & Red Dunes Small Group Tour – Depart from Windhoek and cover the two major highlights of Swakopmund and Sossusvlei in four days.
• Namibia Classic Self-Drive Loop – A counter-clockwise loop covering dunes, the coast, rock petroglyphs, and Etosha, bringing together the best of Namibia…
• Southern Namibia Canyon, Ghost Town & Dunes – Head south to the Kalahari, Fish River Canyon, and Lüderitz, then travel north to a dark sky reserve and the red dunes.
• Kaokoland Himba & Kunene 4x4 Route – Drive north by 4x4 through Damaraland, Sesfontein, and Epupa Falls, ending with a traverse of Etosha from the west gate.
• Windhoek to Victoria Falls Overland Loop – Cross from Namibia along the Okavango River to the Delta and Chobe, ending at Victoria Falls.