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Windhoek is the capital city of Namibia. It pulsates with life, opportunity, and a sparkle of adventure. The city is in the middle of Namibia in a basin between the Khomas Highlands, Auas, and Eros Mountains. It is the gateway to Namibia, where most safaris or tours in the country would begin.
Need Advice?Windhoek has the only international airport in Namibia, making this the perfect place to start your adventures in one of Africa's most exciting and diverse destinations.
The city evolved around a permanent hot spring and developed rapidly after Jonker Afrikaner settled there in 1840. Germans subsequently colonized the country and built the old fort (Alte Feste). It was once the symbol of German colonialism, now the National Museum, which signifies the freedom struggle and Namibian independence.
Our most comprehensive private overland tour in Namibia starts and ends in the Namibian capital city of Windhoek..
This private tour of Namibia briefly visits Windhoek before exploring the northern part of this wonderful country.
The southern part of Namibia, with a focus on Swakopmund and Sossvlei, is explored in the company of a private African Sky guide.
From the 1800s to the early 1900s, Germany colonized Namibia. Even though the country is now completely independent, the area still bears remnants of the time. German is one of the main languages spoken in Namibia, and when in Windhoek, you can visit many museums, castles, and monuments from the colonial era.
Windhoek is in the Kalahari Desert, and you can experience much of the glory of the desert by taking a day trip. Enjoy the best of both worlds – stay in or around the city and experience the magnificent Kalahari with its beautiful landscapes, interesting wildlife, and the indigenous Bushmen.
You will find accommodations, restaurants, and activities in Windhoek that suit your needs perfectly. There are bed and breakfasts, hotels, lodges, guest houses, and camping sites. Paired with safaris, sand boarding, dune-skiing, museums, oceanic activities, dune explorations, and many more, a trip to Windhoek is guaranteed to impress.
It might be the gateway to Namibia's top safari destinations, but there are experiences to be savored in and around the city.
You are met at OR Tambo International Airport, where and assisted in transferring to a short flight to the Hosea Kutako International Airport in Windhoek. A light aircraft flight might be necessary if you are visiting a park or reserve in the area. We can arrange an overland transfer if you are uncomfortable with small planes.
Windhoek is approximately 1400km from Johannesburg, and the drive through the dry northwestern reaches of Southern Africa, although extremely beautiful, takes almost 15 hours. African Sky guests will fly directly to Windhoek or drive from another destination. Upon arrival in Windhoek, guests will be transported to their lodging in Windhoek via a private air-conditioned vehicle.
Windhoek's climate varies from hot semi-arid to cold semi-arid. The average high temperature in the warmest month is 23 degrees Celsius. You can visit Windhoek all year round. The best time is in Spring and Autumn (April, May and, September, October)
In 1884, a German Protectorate was declared over Namibia, then still known as "South-West Africa." The Schutztruppe, defensive corps, came from Germany to maintain order. They were stationed here to separate and control the powers of the Namas and the Hereros. One of the reasons they chose the area is due to the hot springs the city was initially named after. It provided water for crop cultivation. The German colonial era ended during World War I, but remnants of this time live on in Windhoek. In 1990, Namibia received independence, and Windhoek was named the country's capital city.
There are several game reserves where you will have the opportunity to view wildlife in and around Windhoek. Animals you can expect to see are gemsbok, plains zebra, Kirk's dik-dik (small antelope native to Nambia), springbok, rhinos, lions, wildebeest, Cape buffalo, kudus, elephants, and pangolin. It is not unusual to see animals roam freely. They are not only restricted to game reserves – a phenomenon that becomes clear once you leave the city. There are even road signs warning you in which areas you need to be extra careful of running into a wild animal on the highway. The wildlife around Windhoek is similar to that in the Kalahari Desert.
Plants in the area include the Kalahari Christmas tree (a sickle bush), various succulents, and many types of aloe. The landscape supports tree and shrub savanna of high diversity. The undulating terrain is dominated by Acacia mellifera.
Game viewing is the main activity when you visit Windhoek. There are various game reserves in the area. Traveling to the Kalahari Desert, less than two hours from Windhoek, is possible. Namibia's capital city is a prime spot for bird-watching. The city has a rich history and some historical buildings that you can visit, and it offers shopping, golf, and other pursuits available in all other cities.
