Windhoek is the starting point for all our Namibia holidays, and it is a great place to spend a day or two before embarking on a self-drive adventure around the country.
Windhoek’s wide streets are lined with cosmopolitan pavement cafes, and the influence of the German colonial times can still be seen with German restaurants serving German beer, bread and sausages, and German street names.
There are several colonial landmarks such as the Alte Feste Fort which is the oldest building in Windhoek and the Christuskirche, a pretty Lutheran church built with a mix of styles, including Art Nouveau and Neo-Gothic.
If you’re spending a day or two in Windhoek we recommend that you explore the city on foot and visit these sights, plus you can learn about Namibia’s history at the Independence Museum, enjoy a picnic at Tintenpalast Gardens, take a stroll in the National Botanical Gardens, or if you have time you can head to Avis Dam Nature Reserve, located 2km from the city.
In the evening we recommend that you head to Joe’s Beerhouse on Nelson Mandela Avenue – this is the most famous restaurant in Namibia and it is popular with tourists and locals alike.
Windhoek is at an altitude of about 1,650m which means that it has a pleasant climate, with warm days and cool evenings. There are clear blue skies almost every day, in fact Windhoek is known for having over 300 sunny days a year!
Whilst the city can be visited throughout the year, the best time to discover Windhoek is during the winter months from May to September as the weather is cool and dry. During the summer months from November to March it can get quite hot with occasional heavy afternoon rains.
If you visit Windhoek in October you can join the Oktoberfest celebrations. During this festival Namibia's German community come together to celebrate in true Bavarian style and the event offers a chance to sample traditional German food and Namibian beers, including a special Oktoberfest “Festbier” which is brewed especially for the Oktoberfest.
All of our Namibia holidays start in Windhoek. If you’re on a self-drive holiday you’ll be picked at Windhoek’s Hosea Kutako International Airport and driven to your accommodation in the city, where your hired vehicle will be delivered to you that day. Travellers on our 'Namibia Flying Safari' after an overnight just outside of the city then connect onto a light aircraft flight to the Kulala Wilderness Reserve.
We recommend The Olive Exclusive in Windhoek. This luxurious, boutique hotel is located in a quiet residential suburb of Windhoek and it’s an ideal base from which to explore the city. It’s a stylish and contemporary hotel with seven uniquely designed suites, a beautifully decorated lounge and bar area, a fantastic restaurant, a swimming pool and tranquil garden, and even a Wellness Room where guests can enjoy treatments including massages and facials.
For those looking for a little more of a wilderness experience then Omaanda Lodge, located within a private nature reserve outside of town, is certainly worth considering.
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