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Capital and largest city of Namibia
Photo: Shaundd, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Windhoek is Namibia's capital and largest city (population 430,000 in 2020). It is in the geographic centre of the country at an elevation of 1,600 m. This is the city where most safaris travelling through Namibia begin, and also the first point of entry in Namibia should you arrive by airplane.
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It was the legislative assembly during the Apartheid days and is now the home of the National Assembly. There is also a new building next door for the National Council. And on the grounds is a garden with olive trees and bougainvilleas and bronze statues of independence freedom fighters.
The local history of resistance to colonialism is showcased over three floors of dramatic artwork. There is a restaurant at the top with must-see panoramic views of all of Windhoek and the surrounding mountains.
The old Lutheran church. The circular stained-glass window in the facade and all the other stained-glass windows in the church were donated by Kaiser Wilhelm II, as a gift to the colony. In the 1990s, a tourist noticed that all the windows were installed with the sun protection on the inside, prompting authorities to re-install all of the windows properly.
A war memorial with graves and a giant statue to the unknown soldier (that resembles Sam Nujoma). Designed and built by an North Korean firm, the Soviet aesthetic does show. Few visitors; the restaurant and toilets seem perpetually closed and the exhibition halls are empty.
Football and rugby fields, tennis courts, basketball court. Also suitable for a picnic. Not all amenities are in good shape but it is free to use for everyone. Not safe after dark.
Two hunting trails (rubber animals, of course) of circa 2 km each. There's also a camp site. Fishing on the Otjiseru river is also possible but as it is the outflow of the heavily polluted Goreangab Dam you cannot eat the fish. The owners expect that you throw it back into the water, anyway.
They guide conservation expeditions concentrating on big cats just outside of Windhoek.
Hiking trails and lots of ungulates. Rolling savannah, giraffes, ostrich, nasty acacia-like thorns and the like. 40 km². 4x4 riding, pool, camping also available.
Hiking, biking, birding, wildlife viewing. Security present during day, but don't go after dark.
Windhoek's largest restaurant, seats several hundred people, and is packed essentially every day. You'll meet busloads of tourists, noisy families, local celebrities, all colours and all ages. Due to its size it can be a bit chaotic, as well as a tad impersonal. The place also features an amazing collection of odds and ends on display, from old bottles and farming equipment to a Mini Cooper that managed to cross Africa. Typical Namibian cuisine with a lot of tasty meat and not many vegetables. Huge portions; the average person will be full from a bar snack.
Close to university and a popular spot for students and staff. One of the few watering holes that are neither shabby nor extravagant. Outside tables. The restaurant is a stall in front of the bar, offering meat and traditional food, sometimes until the wee hours of the morning if they are not sold out. You can try matangara (tripe), smilie (goat head), mopane (caterpillars), kapana (grilled beef). For the less adventurous there is also fish, pizza, and stew. Try mahangu (pearl millet) as a side.
A nice restaurant and bar, many foreigners here. It describes itself as having the biggest menu in Namibia, with a mix of game, beef, pork, seafood, pizza and vegetarian dishes. On Fridays and Saturdays you need to book in advance.
Small city centre cafe for breakfast and lunch. Lebanese-style cooking, dishes are somewhat spicy. Try the soup of the day.
Italian restaurant with great pizzas, hot dishes and excellent ice cream.
Tasty Indian food, much better and cheaper than Indian restaurants elsewhere in the city.
The Stellenbosch Wine Bar & Bistro and the adjacent Stellenbosch Tasting Room share the same address. Beautiful setting, very friendly staff and excellent food and wine.
Local African dishes from many countries, like the Cameroonian curry, oryx meat, couscous. Upstairs, the Café Zoo hosts some evening events, karaoke, etc.
Popular with locals and the only place to go out on Sundays because other places are closed or dead quiet.
Popular bar in the town centre. J&J can get a bit rough from time to time: Hookers, drunkards, people selling contraband, but security is good.
Popular with tourists and the local artist's scene. Live music (Rock and Jazz) of varying quality, but often good and always entertaining and free. Tuesdays Karaoke. Occasionally there is a rock concert in a separate hall for which there is an admission fee.
Has a mix of dorms, private rooms and tents. Bar, small pool and booking desk for Chameleon Safaris. Good safety with CCTV and keycard system. Close to downtown and mall. Breakfast included.
ParadiseGarden Hostel & Camping
Owned and managed by a German. Has travel information desk, free WiFi and secure parking, well-equipped kitchen, laundry service, a huge and always clean swimming pool, located within a 15-minute walk from central Windhoek. English, Spanish and German spoken.
single/double rooms and dorm beds. Has a swimming pool.
Dorm beds, camping possible (though not very appealing). has a swimming pool. free breakfast and wifi. As of 2022 there is only one dorm for travellers and the other rooms have been converted into student dormtories.
Luxury city centre hotel with a pool and beautiful view of the city.
Four-star hotel downtown with a "casino". The Avani and Hilton are both on Independence Avenue, almost across the road from each other. The rooms at Avani aren't as plush as the Hilton, but it does have the shopping centre and cafe attached which adds some amenity. Mostly guests at the Avani, where as the Hilton draws on a wider demographic of guests, locals, and ex-pats.
Luxury resort and conference centre in the south end of the city.
Boutique hotel in an old castle above the city
Namibia's only five-star hotel. Luxury, certainly when compared to the alternatives, well equipped, excellent service, city centre location. The conference area is a hub for the city's business activities, and the pool bar buzzes with residents and visitors.
A somewhat extravagant bakery with (for Namibia) ridiculous prices but lots of interesting produce. Very friendly staff. The shelf will only fill up from around 09:00, ideal for a brunch at home but not for early birds.
There are a couple of outlets in Windhoek. The one in the city centre stocks just about all the supplies you could need
Shoprite has many supermarkets in Windhoek and all over Namibia.
Pick N Pay have supermarkets all over Namibia.
By minibus-taxi
This is the easiest way to get to Windhoek for people without a car.
By plane
If you're arriving in Namibia by airplane, this is most likely to be via Hosea Kutako International Airport. It's a relatively small airport, with a handful of gates and no aerobridges.
By train
TransNamib, via their StarLine passenger service, operates trains from Windhoek to a few destinations in Namibia.
By bus
Book a few days in advance at least to be sure that you have a seat.
By car
Traffic in Windhoek generally flows freely, and driving is generally well ordered. Parking garages are located in the shopping centres and some street parking is available too.
By taxi
There is no scheduled public transport in Windhoek but there is a system of shared taxis that do not have fixed routes.
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Windhoek · Regional · ERS
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