Windhoek Area Guide

Windhoek is the capital of Namibia and largest city of Namibia. It is located in central Namibia in the Khomas Highland plateau area. South of the city, the sprawling Heroes' Acre war memorial commemorates Namibia's 1990 independence.

On a hilltop in the city center are the 1890s Alte Feste, a former military headquarters with historical exhibits, and the independence Memorial Museum. Nearby is the famous sandstone Lutheran Christus Church.

Windhoek is the entry point for most tourists and the perfect gateway for a Namibian safari.

Visit the Christuskirche

The church was built following the wars between the Germans and the KhoiKhoi, Herero and Owambo. The foundation stone was laid on 11 August 1907 and was originally known as the Church of Peace.

Christ Church was constructed from quartz sandstone mined from the vicinity of Avis Dam. The portico was made from carrara marble imported from Italy.

The clock and part of the roof was shipped from Germany, as were the three bronze bells cast by Franz Schilling. They bear the inscriptions"Ehre sei Gott in der Höhe" (Glory to God in the highest), "Friede auf Erden" (Peace on earth), "Den Menschen ein Wholgefallen" (Goodwill towards men).

Visit the Heroes' Acre

The Heroes' Acre is an official war memorial of the Republic of Namibia. Built into the uninhabited hills south of Windhoek. It was opened on 26 August 2002 and was created to "foster a spirit of patriotism and nationalism".

At inauguration, nine national heroes and heroines were identified. For each of them a tombstone with name and picture has been erected.

Visit Daan Viljoen Lodge

Just 24 km west of Windhoek lies a sanctuary for a relatively large population of game species typical of Namibia's highlands. Proclaimed before independence to preserve the ecosystem of the Khomas Hochland, the park was named after a former Administrator, Mr Daan Viljoen, who played a major part in establishing the park. The convenient location of the park makes Daan Viljoen an ideal venue for day visits and a perfect stopover for tourists seeking the tranquillity of the bush.

Activities and facilities

• Guided game drives
• Hiking
• Bird watching tours
• Self drive 4x4 route
• Indoor restaurant

Commuting

Windhoek is centrally located, about 3 hours (352km) from Namibia's west coast, 2 hours (212km) from Gobabis (east), 7 hours (715km) from Rundu (north) and 5 hours (498km) from Keetmanshoop (south).

• Hosea Kutako International Airport: Situated 45km east of Windhoek. It is Namibia's largest airport with international connections.
  
• Shuttle Services: Available to the coast and the airport.

Food and drinks

Namibia is renowned for its variety of traditional food and cuisine. Here are some popular drinks and restaurants.

Looking for something local?

Try Kleiner Keiler, a delicious, local cherry flavoured liquor that tastes very similar to Cherry Fizz pop lollipops. They are absolutely divine and add a touch of fun to your gathering.

For local beer, give Tafel or Windhoek Lager a go. Brewed under the old German brewing laws which are still upheld in Namibia today, Tafel is a lighter than usual beer (4%) and contains no sugar.

Joe's Beerhouse

Windhoek's most famous restaurant.

Filled with trinkets, road signs, bottles, nets and "desert souvenirs", Joe's Beerhouse built like a village. Room after room, archway after archway, courtyard after courtyard, the restaurant lives up to its slogan, "a great escape" as guests navigate their way through the African wonderland to their table.

With a keen focus on delicious German-Namibian comfort food, great company, and good vibes, Joe's Beerhouse can serve up to 500 covers in a night. With multiple seating areas around a centralized sports bar, Joe's a great place to gather n small or large groups.

Joe's Beerhouse is a meat lover's paradise. Anything from ribs, steaks, schnitzels and kebabs can be found on the menu.

Events

Oktoberfest

Every year Namibia celebrates its German heritage in the best possible way. The event aims to celebrate one of the many cultures that make up the rich tapestry of diversity that is Namibia, and it aims to bring people together for some good old-fashioned family fun and games. The event is family-friendly and several competitions are held through out the weekend with prizes and surprises for everyone taking part.

Schools & University

Windhoek Gymnasium School

There are various Government schools in Windhoek as well as some private schools. Windhoek Gymnasium School is situated in the suburb of Kleine Kuppe.

Vision: Windhoek Gymnasium envisions a Namibian school where learners, parents and the best-quality staff, all collaborate, as a school family, to achieve the highest standards of educational and interpersonal excellence in the country.

The Namibian National Curriculum is followed, and a lot of enrichments are built in where possible and necessary. For grades 11 and 12, the Namibian Secondary Schools Curriculum is followed (Underscribed by Cambridge).

University of Namibia

The University of Namibia (UNAM), is the country’s premier institution of tertiary education. It consists of four faculties and 12 campuses country-wide. This outreach makes UNAM a truly community-based institution, renowned for its academic excellence, outstanding research, and community development projects. It is a diverse institution with a student population from 41 countries around the world. Although a relatively young university, it has grown to support a student population of over 30 000.