Gateway to the wonderful world of Namibia
Vacation in Windhoek
Windhoek is the capital of Namibia and is located right in the center of the country – the ideal starting point for every kind of adventure in a world of natural wonders. Enormous desert fields, unreal landscapes and a huge variety of animal species make a vacation in Namibia an extraordinary and amazing experience. But, with its palaces, museums and parks, Windhoek itself is also worth a stay – and the ideal opportunity to learn something about the country’s moving history and get to know Namibian culture.
Why visit Windhoek?
✓ Base and focal point
As the capital is centrally located, Windhoek is the ideal base and focal point for your Namibia trip – and, thus, the starting point for your expeditions into the desert or deep into the savanna world of the Big Five.
✓ One highlight follows the next
There are so many natural spectacles to discover around the capital city that you can get quite dizzy when planning your Namibia trip.
✓ Moving colonial history
Namibia is not just nature and animals, but also people – and their moving history has been significantly shaped by the colonial period.
Oldest desert in the world: Namib Desert
About 250 kilometers from Windhoek, the oldest desert in the world also has one of the most captivating and extraordinary landscapes: the Namib Desert. Depending on the time of day, the giant sand dunes are lit up in red and orange – providing a view you can tell your children about. An absolute must-see!
Inside Namib: the Sossuvlei Region
Strictly speaking, the Sosuvlei, a salt pan, is part of the Namib Desert, but, with its gigantic sand dunes, quiver trees and clay fields, it heaps another shovelful (of sand) on top. West of the Sossuvlei, by the way, is the Big Daddy Dune, one of the highest dunes in the world.
Largest sand desert in the world: Kalahari Desert
Kalahari Desert, south of Windhoek, is also a region of superlatives – because it’s so huge and is home to an unimaginable variety of animals and plants. Since it often rains here, the Kalahari is more accurately a xeric shrubland – great conditions for spotting lions, leopards or elephants.
The rugged beauty of Skeleton Bay
The Skeleton Coast is an area stretching almost 500 km along the Atlantic Ocean. It owes its name to the many shipwrecks and whale skeletons in the sand. Creepy? No, spectacular! When the rough dunes of the desert hit the wild Atlantic, this can only result in a totally unique view.
Safari tour of Etosha National Park
The National Park is located on the northwest edge of the Kalahari Basin and is a wild animal reserve: Many different animals live here throughout the various vegetation zones, such as elephants, rhinos and rare bird species. Wild animal sightings in the Etosha are essentially guaranteed. Book your vacation in Namibia now – and welcome to a wildlife paradise!
Second-largest canyon in the world
Did you know that the second-largest canyon in the world is in Namibia? Fish River Canyon is in the south of Namibia and is up to 550 meters deep. Looking down is sure to make you experience awe. But tours through the canyon also promise an intense experience. We love it!
Ink Palace amidst green oasis
The Tintenpalast towers in the middle of a green oasis of palm trees and flowers. The building is now the seat of the Namibian Parliament and is a prime example of typical German colonial architecture. Visitors can learn more about the turbulent history of the country through guided tours of the building.
Christ Church as a national monument
Christ Church is also an obvious testament to the German heritage of Namibia. It was built in 1907 and is supposed to symbolize the peace between the colonial power of Germany and Namibia. The church is now regarded as a landmark of the city, which is largely Christian.
Alte Feste with the historic National Museum
The Fort Alte Feste (Old Fortress) is also a relic of the colonial period and was built by the German colonial powers in 1890. It’s the oldest building in present-day Windhoek and houses the National Museum. Be sure to visit!
Bucket list for your vacation in Windhoek
1. Typical Namibian cuisine
Namibian cuisine combines tradition with European influences – with quite delicious results. For example, “potjiekos” was originally a Dutch meat stew, but is now described as the national dish of Namibia. Try it!
2. Meet the locals
Even though only about 2.5 million people live in Namibia, they are influenced by many different cultures. Meeting the locals will not only bring you closer to the Namibian way of life; you’ll also encounter the people’s incredible hospitality. That’s why you should get out of your comfort zone. The perfect opportunity for this is provided by traditional festivals, such as Windhoek Carnival or Africa Day, which is celebrated in the local communities.
3. The perfect swell
Namibia has some great waves for surf fans of any level, especially between the Skeleton Coast and Swakopmund. And the best part about it? Because the surfing community remains rather small, you only have to share the waves with a few others. Not to mention the incredible natural scenery that surrounds this surfer paradise.
4. Sunset paradise
Have you ever seen a sunrise or sunset in the desert or from the rocky edge of a canyon? You’ll have the chance to see this colorful spectacle in Namibia – definitely a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
5. Visiting traditional tribes
Namibia has only around 1.8 million inhabitants – but there are nonetheless many different tribes and ethnic groups, since people have migrated to the country from a wide range of different regions. Some people still live very traditionally – a visit to a traditional village is an exciting and very educational experience.
Weather & best time to travel
Because Namibia is located in the southern hemisphere, the seasons are exactly the opposite to ours. So, it’s especially hot from December to February, in other words, during the Namibian summer. In the Namibian winter, i.e., from June to July, it is mild during the day, but it can get very cold at night. The best time to travel depends a little on your plans. The dry season from August to September is perfect for a safari to see lots of animals, because many animals move around just a few waterholes. In principle, Namibia is worth a trip all year round.
Getting around
Windhoek and Namibia lack a state public transport system. While there are public buses, the network and schedules are unclear. It is more common to travel in the so-called minibuses that wait for passengers at certain places. Shared taxis work in a similar way, and, in principle, they may stop anywhere – ask the driver first whether your destination is on the way. The easiest and most convenient way to get around in Namibia is by private taxi or rental car.
Airport transfers or taxis will take you from Windhoek International Airport into the city. You can hire a rental car or camper van for travel on your own both at the airport and in Windhoek. By the way, there are nonstop flights to Windhoek, for example from Frankfurt – visit Namibia with Discover Airlines!
Do’s and don’ts in Windhoek
✓ Plan your trip well
If you head out into the country from Windhoek, you should plan your trip carefully in advance. Solo travelers not part of a guided tour, in particular, should think carefully about where they’ll stay overnight, which sights they want to see and which weather conditions are best suited for this.
X Leave your valuables in the car
Just don’t – either in Windhoek or anywhere on the road. Cars are often broken into, especially at night.
X Aim to do too much
Namibia is definitely a country with so many incredible places where you’d ideally like to see everything – unfortunately, impossible on a single vacation in Namibia. Better to plan more time at specific places, so you can really enjoy them and then come back another time.
X Not spend any time in Windhoek
Sure, compared to desert expeditions or surf adventures, Windhoek may not be the most exciting place to go for a vacation in Namibia. But it’s definitely a good starting point to get to know the country.
✓ Stock up on snacks in Windhoek
Good planning also includes having enough water and snacks with you. The roads in Namibia are very long, and there is often no supermarket nearby.
✓ Visit the Namibia Craft Centre
There’s a market in a former brewery in Windhoek that sells Namibian arts and crafts, along with good coffee. Perfect for getting a few more souvenirs.
✓ Walk through the pedestrian zone with your eyes open
Even if you’re already looking forward to your desert safari or the canyon – the Windhoek pedestrian zone is designed with lots of small works of art and fountains and is definitely worth a look.
FAQs about your vacation in Windhoek
There are areas that are considered to be free from malaria – these include Windhoek or the Namib Desert. Other areas, on the other hand, are very high-risk. Find out for yourself beforehand!
Absolutely! Unless you easily suffer from frostbite, as the Atlantic is usually very cold.
Namibia is considered a safe travel destination. However, the following rules apply: Be vigilant and follow some basic rules. Healthy common sense when traveling helps to avoid dangers.
Did you know?
The switch from winter to summertime was abolished in 2018 in Namibia. However, it’s still used in some hotels or systems. You should therefore double-check to see what time it actually is.
