Windhoek.
Your next chapter?

Overview

Windhoek is Namibia's capital and largest city (population 430,000 in 2020). It is in the geographic centre of the country at an elevation of 1,600 m. This is the city where most safaris travelling through Namibia begin, and also the first point of entry in Namibia should you arrive by airplane.

Understand

The city was spelled Windhuk during the German colonial time and is sometimes still referred to as such in German. The name is pronounced wind-hook, as "oe" in Dutch and Afrikaans is pronounced like "u" in German.

Tourist information Windhoek tourist information

Talk

English is spoken throughout Namibia (it is the country's official language and is also the medium of instruction in most schools), although in many urban areas Afrikaans (similar to Dutch) is used as a lingua franca, as 50% of the Namibian population speak Afrikaans. German is widely used in tourism. Oshiwambo is spoken by 50% of Namibians as a mother tongue.

Radio and television are also predominantly in English.

Other languages include Otjiherero, Damara/Nama, Setswana, SiLozi, and Rukwangali.

Get in

By car The B1, which runs from the north to the south and the B2 (Trans-Kalahari) which runs from the east to the west through Namibia are the primary land routes into Windhoek. Northern towns served by the B1 include Oshakati, Otjiwarongo, and Okahanja. Southern towns include Rehoboth, Keetmanshoop and Lüderitz. From the west the B2 connects Swakopmund and from the east it connects Gobabis.

By minibus-taxi This is the easiest way to get to Windhoek for people without a car. Minibuses run from everywhere in Namibia, and through some combination of different routes, one can always find their way to Windhoek. The Engen petrol station north of downtown (Rhino Park) is the rank for southern and western destinations such as Mariental, Swakopmund, Keetmanshoop. For northern destinations such as Otjiwarongo, Oshakati and Rundu go to Hakahana Service Station, Katutura. However, it is easier to arrange for a minibus to take you (check opposite SAA in Independence Avenue).

By plane If you're arriving in Namibia by airplane, this is most likely to be via Hosea Kutako International Airport. It's a relatively small airport, with a handful of gates and no aerobridges. Airside there are a few souvenir shops, and a bistro with fairly average food in a large common waiting hall for all flights. Landside there is a nice cafe outside of departures with good coffee, burgers, toasties and at reasonable prices. There is an official taxi booth landside in arrivals. Even though the airport is small, the queues can still be fairly long for security and immigration clearance - both incoming and outgoing. If you are arriving with an e-visa make sure you join the correct line (signage can be misleading); otherwise, you may wait a long time behind those with visas on arrival. Car hire is available at the airport with all the majors. The airport is approximately out of town, so give yourself plenty of time to travel to the city centre. The road between the city and the airport is tarred, but there are no services. Fuel is available at the airport and in the city; there is not much between. Watch for baboons and other wildlife if you are driving in Namibia for the first time.

Travelling between international and domestic airport will take about half a day, due to customs, passport control, road time, and another check-in. Luggage will not be routed from one airport to another!

TransNamib, via their StarLine passenger service, operates trains from Windhoek to a few destinations in Namibia. All trains depart in the late afternoon or early evening (between 16:00 and 20:00) at a time when the ticket office is already closed. You cannot buy a ticket on the train; in fact, you cannot enter the platform without a ticket. Trains are scheduled 2-5 times per week, depending on destination and season, on the following routes: Windhoek-Otjiwarongo-Tsumeb Windhoek-Gobabis Windhoek-Swakopmund-Walvis Bay Windhoek-Keetmanshoop; this train used to split and continue on to Upington in South Africa and Lüderitz on the Atlantic coast, but no longer does so.

These are not dedicated passenger trains but convey passengers via special coaches hooked on the back of freight trains. They are therefore a relatively slow method of transport, as the train will stop at every tree to hook and unhook freight wagons. The trip Windhoek-Swakopmund (360 km by road) takes a scheduled 9 hours, the 500 km trip to Keetmanshoop takes almost a day. Tickets are cheap, even in business class, and the passenger coaches are comfortable and have an airline-style seating. Their air-conditioning, video entertainment, and vending machines are not often operational. Most trains travel at night; bring a sleeping bag against the cold.

The Desert Express is a luxury tourist train that traverses Namibia regularly, taking tourists to such destinations as Walvis Bay, Swakopmund and Etosha National Park. Buses are used to transport visitors from train stations to the various sights.

By bus Intercape runs a bus service to and from Cape Town and Johannesburg in South Africa and Livingstone in Zambia. AT&T Monnakgotla Transport has a bus two times a week from Windhoek to Gaborone Botswana.

Book a few days in advance at least to be sure that you have a seat.

Get around

On foot Most hotels and hostels are close to the city centre, so you can easily walk to most shops, restaurants, clubs and sights. After dark it is not safe to walk, though.

Traffic in Windhoek generally flows freely, and driving is generally well ordered. Parking garages are located in the shopping centres and some street parking is available too.

There are a number of car rental agencies operating in Windhoek:

By taxi There is no scheduled public transport in Windhoek but there is a system of shared taxis that do not have fixed routes. Everybody in the taxi is driven to their intended destination, in the order the driver thinks is best. Taxis have their registration number, a letter and up to three digits, prominently displayed. Taxis looking for passengers will hoot. To catch a taxi, point your hand into the direction you want to travel. Once the driver stops, tell him your destination. If it is not en route to his other passengers' destinations, he might refuse. Just wave down the next taxi.

As these taxis primarily run between the townships and the main industrial/commercial areas of the city, it can be difficult to find one in posh suburbs at night; during the day domestic workers take a taxi there.

Shared taxis are generally in bad condition, and their operators' aggressive driving is legendary. If you feel uncomfortable with that, there are radio taxis (on-demand) that do not pick up other passengers while they drive you. They tend to gather at popular restaurants and nightspots. These taxis also can take you out of Windhoek and to the airport.

Internet-based taxi services are available. As of 2024, the most popular one is Yango. Many Yango taxis are illegal; public transport in Namibia requires a special driving licence, a minimum driver's age, and a taxi licence for the car; Yango taxis rarely meet all three requirements. If you don't mind that, then they are a good choice at night when roaming the streets looking for a taxi can be dangerous and frustrating.

See

Parliament of Namibia. It was the legislative assembly during the Apartheid days and is now the home of the National Assembly. There is also a new building next door for the National Council. And on the grounds is a garden with olive trees and bougainvilleas and bronze statues of independence freedom fighters.

Independence Museum. The local history of resistance to colonialism is showcased over three floors of dramatic artwork. There is a restaurant at the top with must-see panoramic views of all of Windhoek and the surrounding mountains.

Dictator street names Although Namibia isn't a dictatorship, there are a few dictators with whom Namibia's first president was quite friendly during the days of the struggle for independence (and still is). There are two in Windhoek, both downtown: Fidel Castro St. and Robert Mugabe Ave.

Christuskirche. The old Lutheran church. The circular stained-glass window in the facade and all the other stained-glass windows in the church were donated by Kaiser Wilhelm II, as a gift to the colony. In the 1990s, a tourist noticed that all the windows were installed with the sun protection on the inside, prompting authorities to re-install all of the windows properly.

Heroes' Acre. A war memorial with graves and a giant statue to the unknown soldier (that resembles Sam Nujoma). Designed and built by an North Korean firm, the Soviet aesthetic does show. Few visitors; the restaurant and toilets seem perpetually closed and the exhibition halls are empty.

Do

AJ du Plooy Sports Fields. Football and rugby fields, tennis courts, basketball court. Also suitable for a picnic. Not all amenities are in good shape but it is free to use for everyone. Not safe after dark.

Archer's Land. Two hunting trails (rubber animals, of course) of circa 2 km each. There's also a camp site. Fishing on the Otjiseru river is also possible but as it is the outflow of the heavily polluted Goreangab Dam you cannot eat the fish. The owners expect that you throw it back into the water, anyway.

Cats Unlimited. They guide conservation expeditions concentrating on big cats just outside of Windhoek.

Daan Viljoen Nature Reserve. Hiking trails and lots of ungulates. Rolling savannah, giraffes, ostrich, nasty acacia-like thorns and the like. 40 km². 4x4 riding, pool, camping also available.

Avis Dam Nature Reserve. Hiking, biking, birding, wildlife viewing. Security present during day, but don't go after dark.

Learn

The University of Namibia (UNAM) and the Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST) are located in Windhoek. There is also the Franco-Namibian Cultural Centre where you can take classes in everything from French to photography.

Buy

There is a craft market in Post Street Mall in central Windhoek, though prices are quite high. There is another in Independence Avenue outside the Hilton Hotel. Prices are lower at the craft market in Okahandja, which is about an hour north of Windhoek.

There are a number of arcades and small shopping centres in the centre of Windhoek. Between them you can find pretty much anything you need. There is also a larger mall called Maerua Mall in the south end of the city (Jan Jonker Road), easily accessible by taxi.

For arts and crafts you can visit Jennys Place located at Bougain Villa 78 Sam Nujoma Drive, Klein Windhoek. . It is the largest arts and crafts shop in Namibia. They also provide a variety of art classes such as painting, card making and scrap booking. It has a calm and tranquil atmosphere.

Many places including shops, restaurants and internet cafés included are closed on Sundays or stay open only until 13:00. Alcoholic beverages aren't sold after 19:00 (weekdays) and after 13:00 on Saturday (until Monday morning). On public holidays only restaurants and night clubs are open, all ordinary bars have to close.

Supermarkets and other shops close in the evenings.

Cafe le Pain. A somewhat extravagant bakery with (for Namibia) ridiculous prices but lots of interesting produce. Very friendly staff. The shelf will only fill up from around 09:00, ideal for a brunch at home but not for early birds.

Banks ATMs are widespread and common throughout the city.

Standard Bank, Nedbank, and First National Bank have Mastercard/Visa card ATMs.

Supermarkets Supermarkets in Namibia have just about anything you might want from back home, though the brand names may be different.

Checkers. There are a couple of outlets in Windhoek. The one in the city centre stocks just about all the supplies you could need

Shoprite. Shoprite has many supermarkets in Windhoek and all over Namibia.

Pick n Pay. Pick N Pay have supermarkets all over Namibia.

There is a small outdoor market in Post Street Mall, a pedestrian street between Wernhil park and Independence Avenue. This is a good place to shop for souvenirs and wood carvings. Prices here will be a lot cheaper than in the shops. Haggling is advisable.

Eat

Joe's Beer House. Windhoek's largest restaurant, seats several hundred people, and is packed essentially every day. You'll meet busloads of tourists, noisy families, local celebrities, all colours and all ages. Due to its size it can be a bit chaotic, as well as a tad impersonal. The place also features an amazing collection of odds and ends on display, from old bottles and farming equipment to a Mini Cooper that managed to cross Africa. Typical Namibian cuisine with a lot of tasty meat and not many vegetables. Huge portions; the average person will be full from a bar snack.

Old Location Ohungi and Restaurant. Close to university and a popular spot for students and staff. One of the few watering holes that are neither shabby nor extravagant. Outside tables. The restaurant is a stall in front of the bar, offering meat and traditional food, sometimes until the wee hours of the morning if they are not sold out. You can try matangara (tripe), smilie (goat head), mopane (caterpillars), kapana (grilled beef). For the less adventurous there is also fish, pizza, and stew. Try mahangu (pearl millet) as a side.

Luigi and the Fish. A nice restaurant and bar, many foreigners here. It describes itself as having the biggest menu in Namibia, with a mix of game, beef, pork, seafood, pizza and vegetarian dishes. On Fridays and Saturdays you need to book in advance.

Old Continental Cafe. Small city centre cafe for breakfast and lunch. Lebanese-style cooking, dishes are somewhat spicy. Try the soup of the day.

Sardinia. Italian restaurant with great pizzas, hot dishes and excellent ice cream.

Taste of India. Tasty Indian food, much better and cheaper than Indian restaurants elsewhere in the city.

The Stellenbosch Wine Bar & Bistro. The Stellenbosch Wine Bar & Bistro and the adjacent Stellenbosch Tasting Room share the same address. Beautiful setting, very friendly staff and excellent food and wine.

La Marmite Royale - Café Zoo. Local African dishes from many countries, like the Cameroonian curry, oryx meat, couscous. Upstairs, the Café Zoo hosts some evening events, karaoke, etc.

Drink

Bump Located in the Southern Industrial section of Windhoek, Bump features a spacious outdoor area, mid-sized dance floor and a large bar. Although the music is often limited to house and rave music, the service is friendly. Popular with the Afrikaner crowd.

Chez Ntemba. Popular with locals and the only place to go out on Sundays because other places are closed or dead quiet.

J&J Gambling House. Popular bar in the town centre. J&J can get a bit rough from time to time: Hookers, drunkards, people selling contraband, but security is good.

Boiler Room. Popular with tourists and the local artist's scene. Live music (Rock and Jazz) of varying quality, but often good and always entertaining and free. Tuesdays Karaoke. Occasionally there is a rock concert in a separate hall for which there is an admission fee.

The Wine Bar Located on a hill overlooking Windhoek with fantastic sunsets, perfect for that romantic occasion. The staff give excellent service and have good knowledge of the wines being served.

Sleep

Chameleon Backpackers & Guesthouse. Has a mix of dorms, private rooms and tents. Bar, small pool and booking desk for Chameleon Safaris. Good safety with CCTV and keycard system. Close to downtown and mall. Breakfast included.

ParadiseGarden Backpackers. Owned and managed by a German. Has travel information desk, free WiFi and secure parking, well-equipped kitchen, laundry service, a huge and always clean swimming pool, located within a 15-minute walk from central Windhoek. English, Spanish and German spoken.

Rivendell Backpackers. single/double rooms and dorm beds. Has a swimming pool.

Backpackers Unite. Dorm beds, camping possible (though not very appealing). has a swimming pool. free breakfast and wifi. As of 2022 there is only one dorm for travellers and the other rooms have been converted into student dormtories.

Protea Hotel Furstenhof. Luxury city centre hotel with a pool and beautiful view of the city.

Avani Windhoek Hotel & Casino. Four-star hotel downtown with a "casino". The Avani and Hilton are both on Independence Avenue, almost across the road from each other. The rooms at Avani aren't as plush as the Hilton, but it does have the shopping centre and cafe attached which adds some amenity. Mostly guests at the Avani, where as the Hilton draws on a wider demographic of guests, locals, and ex-pats.

Windhoek Country Club. Luxury resort and conference centre in the south end of the city.

Heinitzburg. Boutique hotel in an old castle above the city

Hilton Hotel. Namibia's only five-star hotel. Luxury, certainly when compared to the alternatives, well equipped, excellent service, city centre location. The conference area is a hub for the city's business activities, and the pool bar buzzes with residents and visitors.