Windhoek is the capital city of Namibia and is a modern, well-groomed city where office workers lounge around Zoo Park at lunchtime, tourists funnel through Post St Mall admiring African curios and taxis whizz around honking at potential customers.
PLACES TO VISIT
1. CHRISTUSKIRCHE
The German Lutheran church was constructed in 1907 and stands on a traffic island in the city centre. It is Windhoek’s most recognized landmark and the unofficial symbol of the city.The altarpiece, the Resurrection of Lazarus, is a copy of the renowned work by Rubens.
2.NAMIBIA CRAFT CENTRE
The artist and origian of each piece is well documented. You will find leatherwork, basketry, pottery, jewellery, needlework, hand-painted textiles and other material in the centre.
3.DAAN VILJOEN GAME PARK
About 18km west of Windhoek you can find the beautiful wildlife park. Walk through the park to see wildlife-rich desert hills, and spot gemsboks, kudus, mountain zebras, springboks, hartebeests, warthogs and elands. The park is also known for its 200 species of birdlife, including the rare green-backed heron and pin-tailed whydah.
4.NATIONAL MUSEUM OF NAMIBIA
The museum provides you of the country’s history and some enlightening context to the struggles of this young country. View the rock-art display before you heading to see rock art at Brandberg or Twyfelfontein housed in Windhoek’s oldest surviving building from 1890.
5.TRANS-NAMIB TRANSPORT MUSEUM
This old Cape Dutch-style station was constructed in 1912 and expanded in 1929 by the South African administration. The German steam locomotive Pool Old Joe is standing across the driveway at the entrance. The train was hipped to Swakkopmund in 1899 and reassembled for the treacherous journey across the desert to Windhoek. Inside the train station you can visit the small Trans-Namib Transport Museum outlining Namibian transport history.
6.WAREHOUSE THEATRE
In the state-of art theatre with its industrial interior design offers many live African and European music and theatre productions. There is also a permanent exhibition space and an internet café.
7.OWELA MUSEUM
Located about 600m from the main building (National Museum of Namibia), the Owela Museum focus on the natural and cultural history of Namibia in its exhibits.
8.HEROES GARDEN
At the garden the struggles and stories of Witbooi and others are remembered. A 15m high marble obelisk and 8m high bronze statue is representing this unknown soldier. At the 174 tombs the Namibian heroes names are engraved in black marble. At the bottom of the stairs that lead up to the obelisk an eternal flame is burning 24 hours a day every day.
OTHER PLACES TO SEE
- Old Breweries Craft Market
- Enjando Steet Festival
- Zoo Park
- Post St Mall
- Independence Memorial Museum
- Fish River Canyon Nationalpark
- Gross Barmen Hot Springs
- Sunstar Diamonds
- Katutura Township
- Okapuka Ranch
- Kuiseb Pass
- Parliament Gardens
- Kalahari Sands Casino
- National Botanic Garden of Namibia
- St Mary’s Catholic Cathedral
- Cuno Hoffmeister Memorial Observatory
- Old Prison
- College of Arts
- Old Government Survey Office
- Old Brewery
- Elizabeth House
- Shcwerinsburg
- Von Francoise Fort
- Ten-man House
The best way to get around in Windhoek is by car, combie, train, taxi or bus.
The best time to visit Windhoek:
1. Between December and March the days will be humid and rain may follow, often in localised, afternoon thunderstorms.
2. April and especially May is green and the air is clear and largely free from dust.
3. Between June and August Namibia cools down and dries out more; nights can become cold, dropping below freezing in some desert areas.
4. Between September and October it warms up again; but there's often a lot of dust around and the vegetation has lost its vibrancy.
5. November is the best month time to visit Windhoek. Sometimes the hot, dry weather will continue, and other times the sky will fill with clouds and threaten to rain.
