Windhoek

Namibia

Windhoek is Namibia's capital and largest city (population ~400,000). It is in the geographic centre of the country at an elevation of 1,600m. 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.

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.

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.

Christuskirche is a feature of the downtown area

  • Parliament of Namibia. Formerly the legislative assembly during the apartheid days, this is now the home of the National Assembly. There is also a new building next door for the National Council.
  • National Gallery of Namibia
  • Dictator street names Though 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 In the middle of a big traffic circle where Robert Mugabe Ave. and Fidel Castro St. meet, at the gates of the Parliamentary compound. 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.

Parliament of Namibia. Formerly the legislative assembly during the apartheid days, this is now the home of the National Assembly. There is also a new building next door for the National Council.

National Gallery of Namibia

Dictator street names Though 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 In the middle of a big traffic circle where Robert Mugabe Ave. and Fidel Castro St. meet, at the gates of the Parliamentary compound. 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.

  • AJ du Plooy Sports Fields, Socrates Street, Academia (Between Academia High School and Windhoek Technical High School. Follow the way to the University of Namibia (UNAM), it is roughly opposite.. Soccer 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, on farm Monte Christo north of Windhoek (Leave the town northwards on the National Road B1, direction Okahandja. After about 10 km turn left onto the D1499. Drive through the farm gate after 2.5 km, Archer's Land is signposted from there. Accessible with ordinary cars.. Friday to Sunday 8:00-18:00. 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. Entrance 50 N$, use of archery range 50 N$, equipment rent 60 N$, river fishing 50 N$ (kids 35/35/40/35 N$).
  • Cats Unlimited. They guide conservation expeditions concentrating on big cats just outside of Windhoek. N$11999.

AJ du Plooy Sports Fields, Socrates Street, Academia (Between Academia High School and Windhoek Technical High School. Follow the way to the University of Namibia (UNAM), it is roughly opposite.. Soccer 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, on farm Monte Christo north of Windhoek (Leave the town northwards on the National Road B1, direction Okahandja. After about 10 km turn left onto the D1499. Drive through the farm gate after 2.5 km, Archer's Land is signposted from there. Accessible with ordinary cars.. Friday to Sunday 8:00-18:00. 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. Entrance 50 N$, use of archery range 50 N$, equipment rent 60 N$, river fishing 50 N$ (kids 35/35/40/35 N$).

Cats Unlimited. They guide conservation expeditions concentrating on big cats just outside of Windhoek. N$11999.

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.

You can get cheaper prices in the craft market in Okahandja, which is about an hour north of Windhoek, if you are travelling that way.

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. Telephone +264 61 269152. It is the largest arts and crafts shop in Namibia. They sell everything from paints, face paints, canvases, beads, ribbons, costumes, scrapbooking supplies, brushes, spraypaint, decoupage, wooden blanks, pewter and the occasional oddity such as glow in the dark spraypaint, gifts and decorations. They also provide a variety of art classes such as painting, card making and scrap booking. It has a calm and tranquil atmosphere and a great place to meet other crafters.

Keep in mind that many places – shops, restaurants, and internet cafés included – are closed on Sundays or stay open only until 1PM. Note also that alcoholic beverages aren't sold after 19:00 (weekdays) and after 13:00 on Saturday (through 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, General Murtala Mohammed Avenue, Eros (inside the service station. 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 in the morning, ideal for a brunch at home, not ideal for the early birds. Roll 1.80 N$, croissant 20 N$, small loaf of bread 35 N$.

ATMs are widespread and common throughout the city. Expect a limit of $5000 on withdrawals most ATMs, and some as low as $2000. Usage fees for foreign cards at around $25.

Standard Bank. has master card / visa card ATMs

Nedbank. has master card / visa card ATMs

First National Bank. has master card / visa card ATMs

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.
  • Spar. There are now 27 Spar supermarkets in 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. Feel free to negotiate.

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.

Spar. There are now 27 Spar supermarkets in Namibia.

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

Cafe le Pain, General Murtala Mohammed Avenue, Eros (inside the service station. 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 in the morning, ideal for a brunch at home, not ideal for the early birds. Roll 1.80 N$, croissant 20 N$, small loaf of bread 35 N$.

  • Brückenhaus, opposite Avis Dam (Drive on the B6 towards Gobabis. At the edge of town, before driving under the railway bridge, the Brückenhaus (Bridge House) is on the right. Large helpings of tasty meat and chips, very few veggies, thus a very Namibian restaurant. Several really monstrous portions with kilograms rather than grams of meat will get your table a round of Jägermeister if you can finish them. One of the few places in Namibia where you can get craft beer. There is a beer garden, kids have a pool and a small playground. Very friendly staff. Burgers 120 N$, steak 150 N$, craft beer 50 N$.
  • Joe's Beer House, 160 Nelson Mandela Ave, +264 61 232-457. M-Th 4PM-late, F-Su 11AM-late. Windhoek's largest restaurant, seats several hundred people, and is packed essentially every day. You'll meet busloads of tourists, noisy families, local celebrities, all colors and all ages. Due to its size it can be a bit chaotic, as well as a tad impersonal. The place also features an amazing collection of odds and ends on display, from old bottles and farming equipment to a Mini Cooper that managed to cross Africa. Typical Namibian cuisine with a lot of tasty meat and not many vegetables. Huge portions; the average person will be full from a bar snack. Large beer from tap 25 N$, starters and light meals 60-100 N$, main course 150 N$, steak 200 N$. It is expected that you tip even if you are not occupying a table, that's unusual for Namibia, and the waiters will tell you when the tip is not sufficient.
  • Luigi and the Fish, 320 Sam Nujoma Dr (Klein Windhoek, on the way to the airport, +264 61 256-399. 6PM-10PM. A nice restaurant and bar, many travellers here. It describes itself as having the biggest menu in Namibia, with a mix of game, beef, pork, seafood, pizza and vegetarian dishes. On Fridays and Saturdays you need to book in advance.
  • Old Continental Cafe, Pedestrian passage between Lüderitz Street and Independence Avenue (Parking can be difficult here. Come on foot., +264 61 307 176. 9AM-5PM. Small downtown eatery for breakfast and lunch. Lebanese-style cooking, dishes are somewhat spicy. Try the soup of the day. 30-80 N$.
  • PepperCorn, Shop 59, Maerua Mall (opposite the cinema, +264 61 254-154. 9AM-10PM. Try to get a seat in the lounge and have a drink before and after the meal.
  • Sardinia, 47 Independence Ave, +264 61 225-600. 9AM-11PM. Italian restaurant with great pizzas, hot dishes and excellent ice cream.
  • Taste of India, Hosea Kutako Drive (In the 'Southport' development in Southern Industrial. Not walkable after sunset as the block is surrounded by bushes and then-abandoned workshops. 11:30AM-10PM, Sundays closed. Tasty Indian food but terrible ambiente, plastic chairs and tables, next to a parking lot. Still, this is much better and cheaper than Indian restaurants elsewhere in town. Starters 10-60 N$, main 60-100 N$, side dishes extra at 10-30 N$.

Brückenhaus, opposite Avis Dam (Drive on the B6 towards Gobabis. At the edge of town, before driving under the railway bridge, the Brückenhaus (Bridge House) is on the right. Large helpings of tasty meat and chips, very few veggies, thus a very Namibian restaurant. Several really monstrous portions with kilograms rather than grams of meat will get your table a round of Jägermeister if you can finish them. One of the few places in Namibia where you can get craft beer. There is a beer garden, kids have a pool and a small playground. Very friendly staff. Burgers 120 N$, steak 150 N$, craft beer 50 N$.

Joe's Beer House, 160 Nelson Mandela Ave, +264 61 232-457. M-Th 4PM-late, F-Su 11AM-late. 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 colors 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. Large beer from tap 25 N$, starters and light meals 60-100 N$, main course 150 N$, steak 200 N$. It is expected that you tip even if you are not occupying a table, that's unusual for Namibia, and the waiters will tell you when the tip is not sufficient.

Luigi and the Fish, 320 Sam Nujoma Dr (Klein Windhoek, on the way to the airport, +264 61 256-399. 6PM-10PM. A nice restaurant and bar, many travellers 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, Pedestrian passage between Lüderitz Street and Independence Avenue (Parking can be difficult here. Come on foot., +264 61 307 176. 9AM-5PM. Small downtown eatery for breakfast and lunch. Lebanese-style cooking, dishes are somewhat spicy. Try the soup of the day. 30-80 N$.

PepperCorn, Shop 59, Maerua Mall (opposite the cinema, +264 61 254-154. 9AM-10PM. Try to get a seat in the lounge and have a drink before and after the meal.

Sardinia, 47 Independence Ave, +264 61 225-600. 9AM-11PM. Italian restaurant with great pizzas, hot dishes and excellent ice cream.

Taste of India, Hosea Kutako Drive (In the 'Southport' development in Southern Industrial. Not walkable after sunset as the block is surrounded by bushes and then-abandoned workshops. 11:30AM-10PM, Sundays closed. Tasty Indian food but terrible ambiente, plastic chairs and tables, next to a parking lot. Still, this is much better and cheaper than Indian restaurants elsewhere in town. Starters 10-60 N$, main 60-100 N$, side dishes extra at 10-30 N$.

  • Blitzkrieg Bunker Bar A loud rock and metal bar. Despite the risqué name, a perfectly friendly place with laid-back staff and a good crowd. Writing anywhere on the walls with a marker pen is not discouraged.
  • 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, Dr Kenneth Kaunda Street (Off Independence Avenue. All taxi drivers know it, too. open Wed-Sun. Popular with locals and the only place to go out on Sundays because other places are closed or dead quiet. Fri-Sun entrance is N$30. Small beer for N$20.
  • J&J Gambling House, Luther Street (Off Independence Avenue. At the back of Chez Ntemba, walk halfway around the block. Open till 2 AM except on Sundays when it closes 10 PM. Popular bar in the town centre. J&J can get a bit rough from time to time: Hookers, drunkards, people selling contraband, but security is good. 750 ml beer N$ 23, you would have to go deep into the slums to get it cheaper.
  • Old Location Ohungi and Restaurant, Purcell Street, Windhoek West (Formerly the Oase, many taxi drivers will only know the old name. Till late. Frequently still operational after Police hour (2AM). 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 until the wee hours of the morning. Small beer 20 N$.
  • Warehouse, corner of Tal Street and Sam Nujoma Drive, +264 61 40 2253. Closed on Sundays. 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. 0.5l beer N$25, meals and snacks N$40-80.
  • 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. You may also purchase wine here.

Blitzkrieg Bunker Bar A loud rock and metal bar. Despite the risqué name, a perfectly friendly place with laid-back staff and a good crowd. Writing anywhere on the walls with a marker pen is not discouraged.

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, Dr Kenneth Kaunda Street (Off Independence Avenue. All taxi drivers know it, too. open Wed-Sun. Popular with locals and the only place to go out on Sundays because other places are closed or dead quiet. Fri-Sun entrance is N$30. Small beer for N$20.

J&J Gambling House, Luther Street (Off Independence Avenue. At the back of Chez Ntemba, walk halfway around the block. Open till 2 AM except on Sundays when it closes 10 PM. 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. 750 ml beer N$ 23, you would have to go deep into the slums to get it cheaper.

Old Location Ohungi and Restaurant, Purcell Street, Windhoek West (Formerly the Oase, many taxi drivers will only know the old name. Till late. Frequently still operational after Police hour (2AM). 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 until the wee hours of the morning. Small beer 20 N$.

Warehouse, corner of Tal Street and Sam Nujoma Drive, +264 61 40 2253. Closed on Sundays. 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. 0.5l beer N$25, meals and snacks N$40-80.

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. You may also purchase wine here.

The area code for Windhoek is (061). When calling Windhoek from outside Namibia do not put a '0' between the country code and the area code.

It is cheaper to buy mobile phone starter packs than rely on roaming. Starter packs, including SIM cards and airtime, can be purchased throughout the city at less than N$20.

There are a number of well-equipped Internet cafés in Windhoek.

  • Internet Cafe, Wernhill Center (2nd floor above Pick 'n Pay, near Post St Mall entrance. Large number of computers with good connection speeds. Also has a few terminals for Skype calls. N$12 for 30 min.

Internet Cafe, Wernhill Center (2nd floor above Pick 'n Pay, near Post St Mall entrance. Large number of computers with good connection speeds. Also has a few terminals for Skype calls. N$12 for 30 min.

Windhoek's Zoo Park and Independence Avenue, the city's main street. Due to its high elevation of about 1,600m you can be sunburnt easily, even on the (few) cloudy days. Wear a hat and sunscreen.

Windhoek is not within the endemic malaria area. The mosquitoes can still be a pest during rainy season (Nov-April). Repellents are available at every supermarket.

Windhoek is generally safe for tourists but the usual precautions should be taken. Do not walk around displaying jewelry or electronics. Take a radio taxi at night. Do not visit the townships unaccompanied, or after dark.

Be careful with the traffic. Many drivers ignore red lights, zebra crossings, and a lot more. For a car that wants to turn, a green pedestrian traffic light means nothing, and generally people in cars are deemed to be more important than people on foot, and therefore have the right of way.

  • Medical emergency / Fire station: +264-(0)-61 211111
  • Crisis emergency services: +264-(0)-61 303395,
  • City Police: +264-(0)-61 302302, +264-(0)-61 2902018,
  • Police: +264-(0)-61 10111

  • Egypt Egypt, 10 Berg St, +264 61221501.
  • Finland Finland, 2 Crohn St (corner of Bahnhof Street, +264-61-221 355. Mo, We, Th 9AM-noon.
  • India India, 97 Nelson Mandela, Klein Windhoek, +264 61 226-037.
  • United States United States, 14 Lossen St, +264 61 295-8500.

Egypt Egypt, 10 Berg St, +264 61221501.

Finland Finland, 2 Crohn St (corner of Bahnhof Street, +264-61-221 355. Mo, We, Th 9AM-noon.

India India, 97 Nelson Mandela, Klein Windhoek, +264 61 226-037.

United States United States, 14 Lossen St, +264 61 295-8500.