Sitting at the geographic centre of Namibia, the capital of Windhoek also forms its cultural, economic and political centre too. It is Namibia's largest city, with a population of around 250,000, yet it remains easily walkable as all the sights, attractions and facilities are situated in its downtown area. For a city where the majority of Namibia’s adventure sports or safari holidays begin it is a surprisingly ordered place, yet there are plenty of nightlife spots and bars where you can let your hair down. Relax in Zoo Park, visit the museums, admire the German cathedrals and castles, shop for crafts and souvenirs in the Post St Mall and enjoy the top-class dining scene here. No doubt, things are going to get wilder when you hit the safaris and sand dunes!
Areas & Neighbourhoods in Windhoek
Post St Mall – The centrepiece of Windhoek’s shopping district is this colourful, elevated pedestrian area that is lined with vendors selling everything from curios, artwork and clothing to street snacks and furniture. There are displays of meteorites from the Gibeon meteor shower which showered its ferrous boulders on southern Namibia.
Zoo Park - This leafy park is perfect for an impromptu picnic, although in prehistoric times people worked harder for their lunch here, as the elephant column in the park commemorates it was once the site of a Stone Age elephant hunt.
National Museum of Namibia – Along with other fascinating exhibits there is an informative display about Namibia’s struggle for independence, which helps visitors place the achievements of this young country into context.
Churches and Castles – Christukirche is almost an unofficial symbol of the city, this German Lutheran is marooned on a traffic island and still makes its presence felt over the honking cars and revving motorbikes. Constructed from local sandstone in 1907, and designed by architect Gottlieb Redecker, the church is an unresolved conflict between its neo-Gothic and Art Nouveau styles, yet, somehow, it manages to pull it off. Head just north of Robert Mugabe Avenue and you will find the three Windhoek castles, the Heinitzburg, Schwerinsburg and Sanderburg.
Daan Viljoen Game Park – Just a few kilometres west of the capital lies this beautiful wildlife park. A walk through its desert hills will reveal gemsbok, kudu, mountain zebras, springbok, hartebeests, warthogs, elands and there are over 200 species of birds here too.
Things to See in Windhoek
The museums and art galleries contain the country’s finest collections and are well worth a visit. In the streets of downtown German churches and castles mingle with the steel and glass facades of the skyscrapers, and many national monuments and institutions can be found too. Just a short drive out of the city and you have swapped the cultured airs of Windhoek for the wild, scrublands of the Daan Viljoen Game Park, where you can see gemsbok, kudu and zebras amongst others.
Things to Do in Namibia
There is a lively bar and nightlife scene here that reaches fever pitch in the Oktoberfest festival. The varied cuisine reflects the population mix and Namibia’s history, but in the capital you will find the finest examples and the best restaurants. Shopping is a pleasure at the Post St Mall, but if you do get tired simply head for the Zoo Gardens for a relax in its leafy gardens.
