Windhoek is Namibia's biggest city and capital, and therefore a centre for the country's business and culture.
While Namibia's wildlife and deserts are a wonderful way of experiencing the natural beauty of this country, Windhoek is a great way of experiencing the history, the life and the people of Namibia.
In this article, we'll look at some hotspots you can visit in and around Windhoek which you can visit for a real experience of Namibia.
Places To Visit In Windhoek
1. Independence Memorial Museum
Namibia's Independence Memorial Museum is a must-visit for any tour of Windhoek because it is where you can learn about the country's struggle for racial Freedom. There is a wide range of paintings and artefacts that tell the story of how Namibia overcame the colonial regime.
The Genocide memorial statue at the entrance commemorates the atrocities and killings carried out by German troops on native Namibians in the early 20th century.
2. Christuskirche
Christuskirche is a German Lutheran Church located in the middle of a roundabout in Windhoek. This has made it one of the iconic attractions for people visiting Windhoek city.
Christuskirche is located close to Namibia's most important national landmarks such as the Independence Memorial Museum, Alte Feste, and the Parliament. Construction of the church started in 1907 and it is truly rooted in Namibia's history.
3. Alte Feste
Alte Feste (Old Fort) is another landmark in Namibia's history that dates back to the German colonial period. It is the oldest building in Windhoek and was once the base for the first German troops to arrive in Namibia.
While the National Museum has since moved from the old fort, it is still a good stopover just next to the Independence Memorial Museum.
4. Avis Dam Nature Reserve
Avis Dam Nature Reserve is located 2 kilometres from Windhoek and makes for a wonderful and quiet getaway. With plenty of birdlife, you can do some bird watching or reenergize your mind on a nature trail.
5. Oshetu Market
The Oshetu Community Market in Single quarters is a great way of experiencing Windhoek the way the locals do. The market is popular for local street foods and delicacies. The most popular street food is Kapana, which is grilled meat.
6. Katutura Township
Katutura Township is where around 60% of Windhoek's population lives. After learning all about Namibia's history from all the other landmarks, a visit to Katutura allows you to see how the people of Windhoek live.
You will be able to see the culture and how people live their lives daily. In short, you will be able to walk on the same paths as the people who live and work in Windhoek.
7. Daan Viljoen Game Park
Located 24 kilometres from the Windhoek city centre, the Daan Viljoen park is home to a lot of wildlife with high numbers of giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, kudus, springbok and over 200 bird species.
Since there are no predators, the park can be explored without a guide using several hiking trails. Enthusiastic hikers can even do the 32km Sweet Thorn Trail.
8. Windhoek Railway Station
The Windhoek railways station was built in a Cape-Dutch style mostly found in Western Cape, South Africa. The station houses a small Trans-Namib Transport Museum which showcases a lot of Namibia's railway transport history.
This history goes back to 1897 when Namibia was ruled by colonial Germany. The German locomotive 'Poor Ole Joe' by the entrance is said to be the only surviving specimen of its kind of steam locomotive.
9. Naankuse Wildlife Sanctuary
The Naankuse Foundation Wildlife Sanctuary is located about 40 kilometres outside of Windhoek. The sanctuary accommodates orphaned and injured animals such as leopards, lions, cheetahs, and African wild dogs.
Most visitors go to learn about the conservation work as well as the chance to get to feed a carnivore, such as a lion or a cheetah.
The Sanctuary became more popular in 2011 after Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie decided to become partners of the foundation.
10. Hero's Acre
The Hero's Acre is a landmark that celebrates Namibia's independence and national identity. The Statue stands on the respected ground and is a representation of all the Namibians who died in the struggle for their country's independence from colonial rule.
Final Thoughts.
While at first you will be attracted by Namibia's endless deserts, wildlife and quirky skeleton coast, Windhoek is what will make you feel like you have been to the kind of Namibia a Namibian would talk about.
Learning about a place's history, experiencing their food, and the streets and having a personal insight into their life is what adds the magic.
As the biggest and Capital city, Windhoek is probably the best place to experience Namibia beyond the Dunes and wildlife.
