Welcome to Windhoek & Central Namibia!

Windhoek's population is a melting pot of ethnicities ranging from the Ovambo, Kavango, Damara, Herero, Nama, Caprivian to the San (Bushmen), Basters of Rehoboth, and Tswana people. It is a neat and organised city with no major must-sees to offer, but there are still a number of things to see and do in and around Windhoek to keep you busy for a couple of days. Although Windhoek is where you'll find the most action in Namibia in terms of restaurants and nightlife, the city bustles only during working hours and is quite relaxed otherwise.

There are plenty of Windhoek hotels to accommodate its visitors, from four-star hotels to guesthouses and hostels. Prices and amenities vary, with the hotels in Windhoek being larger and more expensive, and the locally run guesthouses friendlier and cheaper. You can use our Windhoek and Central Namibia map to choose your hotel in Windhoek and Central Namibia based on its location.

One thing you'll notice right away in Namibia is the clear blue sky, which provides the ideal background for photographs of Windhoek's German colonial architecture. Some of the main attractions in the city include the Alte Feste fort, ‘Christus Kirche' (Christ Church), the manicured gardens of Parliament, and the quaint and well-maintained Train Station. The African liberation movement is evoked strongly through the statues of leaders like Hosea Kutako, Hendrik Witbooi and Theophelus Hamutumbangela in the Parliament grounds, which is the seat of the Namibian Legislature, the National Council and the National Assembly.

Take a stroll around Post Street Mall where you will find good shopping and encounter a fountain, albeit without water - The Gibeon Meteorite Fountain displays the largest collection of meteors in the world from the world's largest meteoric shower 600 million years ago. You could also relax in Zoo Park or find out more about the history and culture of Namibia at the State Museum (inside Alte Feste), the Owela Museum or the National Art Gallery of Namibia.

Another popular excursion is to take a guided Windhoek tour to the outer suburb of Katutura, which offers you an experience of the normal, everyday Namibia. Translated from the Otjiherero language, Katutura means, "We will never settle (here)", and it was created when the black population in Windhoek was forcefully relocated.

There are also a number of popular Windhoek attractions in the areas surrounding the capital city. To the west of Windhoek, in the Khomas Hochland Mountains, is the Daan Viljoen Game Reserve. Amid its tranquil setting you will find an abundance of wildlife and several hiking trails, which you can safely use because there is no dangerous wildlife in this park. Also to the west, the Namib Desert extends as far as the eye can see and is itself an attraction and can be visited on a tour from Windhoek. Another good excursion is visiting one of Namibia's most spectacular mountains - the Gamsberg. Located about 120 km from Windhoek, the view from the top is stunning.

Central Namibia covers the central strip of Namibia from the edges of the Namib-Naukluft National Park in the west to the border with Botswana in the east. Whilst Windhoek dominates the Central region, it only occupies a small part of it and driving a short way from the centre you will be on an open highway in whichever direction you choose. To head west to the coast you can choose the tarred B2, the C28 and the more southerly C26 where you'll find a number of interesting towns including Okahandja, Karibib and Usakos. To the east on the western edges of the Kalahari you'll find the busy town of Gobabis, which is ideal for picking up supplies before heading further east towards Ghanzi.

On the tarred B1, 87km south of Windhoek is Rehoboth, which makes an interesting stop due to the unique ethnic group known as the Baster community. The area to the north of Windhoek is dominated by large farms, some of which welcome tourists. Okonjima Guest Farm is one of the most popular and makes an ideal stop when heading north. Omaruru is another great place to visit in the north-central Namibia region. Located at the foot of the Erongo mountains it is known for its annual Herero festival, winery, museum and the dinosaur footprints at nearby Otjihenamaparero.

We are your local connection in Windhoek and Central Namibia and can help you plan everything, from finding the right Windhoek hotel, to choosing the most appropriate tour in Windhoek and Central Namibia. Let us help you plan your ideal Windhoek and Central Namibia holiday.