Overview

The city of Windhoek, Namibia's historical capital city, lies in a wide valley surrounded by the Khomas Highland, Auas mountains and Eros mountains at the epicenter of this desert country. The city is a charming mix of German architecture and modern skyscrapers along with city slickness and African rhythm. It is the country’s only full-fledged city, it’s small, yet, cosmopolitan, clean and friendly, with enough of a buzz to make it exciting, without being too chaotic. Due to its position in the middle of the country, it’s a perfect stopover point for traveling either beginning or ending your Namibian adventures, as well as the city where most safaris traveling through Namibia begin.

Things to See and Do

Take a walking tour of Windhoek with a local guide who can provide some interesting insights about the city and Namibian history. You will learn all about the connection between North Korea, Cuba, Zimbabwe and Namibia and why some of the busiest streets in the city are named after Fidel Castro and Roberto Mugabe. The free walking tours are tip-based and mostly start near central Windhoek.

Discover the most iconic landmark of the city, Christuskirche. This German Lutheran Church is located in the middle of the roundabout next to the Independence Memorial Museum. The church dates back to 1910 and is made from local sandstone. It is easy to find in the city center and tourists are welcome to visit.

Opposite the German Lutheran Church, the Independence Memorial Museum, is one of the most remarkable buildings in the city, a golden skyscraper with in front a statue of the first president of Namibia in 1990, Sam Nujoma. Yes that is correct, Namibia is a very young country and only gained independence from South Africa in 1990. Before the South Africans ruled in Namibia, it was a German colony. The museum offers great insight into the history of Namibia.

On top of the Independence Memorial Museum sits the "Balcony of Love," offering beautiful views of the city. On this level of the museum, you can enjoy one of three balconies and visit the bar for a drink and the restaurant for a bite to eat. It's the perfect place to go for a bird's eye view of the city's iconic German Lutheran Church. From here, you can also see the oldest standing building in Windhoek, Alte Feste. In the courtyard of Alte Feste sits a controversial statue of a German corporal on a horse (reminiscent of German oppression), which can only be viewed from the Balcony of Love.

Just next to the Independence Memorial Museum, you will find the Alte Feste, a white low-rise colonial building that once housed the Nationa Museum of Namibia. It is the oldest building in Windhoek and served as a German Fort in the time of the colonization. Unfortunately, the Alte Fest is temporarily closed, but is planned to be repurposed into a center for arts, crafts, and heritage. However, it is still a very symbolic building to visit in Windhoek.

Take a tour of the Katutura Township to learn about the Namibian people and how locals live. Katutura was created in 1961 following the forced removal of Windhoek’s black population mainly to segregate them from the white population. Katutura has a lot of historical and cultural significance. The name “Katutuar” translates to “The place where people do not want to live” in the Herero language, reflecting the conditions and attitudes toward the area at the time of its establishment. Katutura has evolved into a vibrant community with a rich cultural identity. A Katutura township guided tour will give you an inside look into the lives of this bustling township with its own unique character, offering a blend of traditional and modern lifestyles. It has a thriving information economy, vibrant markets, cultural festivals, and a strong sense of community spirit.

Feed the Giraffes at Voigtland Guesthouse located just outside the city. The guesthouse was built in the 1990s and is set into a hillside, surrounded by gardens, trees, and expansive lawns. It's the activities here that make a visit (or stay) unique. You can schedule a high tea enjoyed with giraffes sitting just feet away. You can also book a time to feed the on-site giraffes, tour the guesthouse's cattle farm, and hike and mountain bike the property's extensive trail system.

The best way to experience the giraffes is to stay overnight at Voightland Guesthouse. There are only 5 guest rooms on this 7,500 hectare farm. There’s also an onsite wellness spa, game drives into the antelope range, and you can rent a quad bike to drive around the savannah.

Located near the center of town in the Old Breweries Complex, the Namibia Craft Center is your one-stop shop for authentic souvenirs. The prices are higher than that of roadside stalls, however, the covered market is safe, clean, and community-minded. There are more than 40 independent shops, and, together, they provide around 4,000 jobs for artists living in the country’s most remote areas. Here you’ll find all kinds of traditional Namibian crafts to choose from.

Check out the Oshetu Community Market located in Single Quarters of Kapana. This is a great market to explore in your sightseeing tour. At the market you find local delicacies like dried spinach, fish and the famous Mopane Worms. The main tourist attraction at the market is the grilled meat (Kapana). Lots of stalls are lined up next to each other and red meat is grilled on an open wood fire. Every stall will offer you to grab some of their meat strips to try. Mostly beef and some liver. Find the one you like the most and order a bowl of meat strips. Then get a little fresh cut salad bowl with the typical Kapana spices and eat it the local way with some deep fried dough balls called 'vetkoek'. So good!

Day Trip

If you have time to take a full-day trip, the Daan Viljoen Game Reserve is located 15 minutes outside the city of Windhoek and is well worth the visit. There are no large predators in the park, which means visitors can explore on foot (via two well-marked hiking trails), on mountain bikes, or in a vehicle along the park’s off-road route.

The draw of this park is its hoofed species, including the desert-adapted oryx, steenbok, and klipspringer, as well as well-known African animals, like giraffe and zebra. The reserve is also a popular birding destination, with over 200 resident species. Scan the trees for endemics like the Rüppell’s parrot, and near-endemics, like the Monteiro’s hornbill. If you feel like extending your stay, check out the Sun Karros lodge with its chalets, restaurants, and swimming pools.