Tailor-made Windhoek Travel Experiences

In many respects, Windhoek, Namibia’s capital city, has the flair and appearance of a medium sized German city rather than that of an African metropolis. However, Windhoek is a city in motion that features a fascinating mix of European and African character traits. Founded in 1890 by Curt Francois, Windhoek can now best be described as cosmopolitan. In the recent years, the city experienced an explosive increase of population. The last figures stated that it has approximately 350,000 inhabitants and grows by 5 percent annually. Ten percent of the population are descendants of the European founders. The name Windhoek was introduced by the Nama chieftain Jonker Afrikaaner. The surroundings mountain ranges reminded him of a farm called Windhoek situated in the Tulbagh / Cape Province region. The Herero tribe used the word “otjomuise”, which translates into “direction of the smoke”, to describe the region. The Hottentots used the expression “ai-gams” which means “vapour”. Both expressions are a referral to the natural hot springs found in the Windhoek area. Windhoek’s mild and pleasant climate also has its flipsides. The city is often struck by severe droughts and consequent water shortages. The general appearance of the city is surprising: Against all expectations, the city is almost overly orderly and neat. Only the last years introduced some more exotic African elements to the tame streetscape. Life is quiet in Windhoek with the possible exception of the Independence Avenue, which formerly had the German name Kaiserstrasse. Shops, banks and restaurants line the street. High-rise buildings dominate but are frequently interrupted by colonial relicts. The city centre is best explored on foot, starting at the town hall and the statue commemorating the founder Curt von Francois. The next stop is the city’s famous landmark, the Christ Church. Inaugurated as recently as 1910, the nouveau Romanesque church was built by the siliceous sandstone typical for the region. Only the portal and altar are decked out in marble found at the Goche Ganas Farm at 30 kilometres’ distance. A declared national heritage, the church and the 42 metre high tower merit the visit, respectively the climb. Another highlight is the national assembly’s seat, a building derisive locals call the palace of ink. Completed in 1913, the government building is framed by a sweeping park and open to visitors from 11am to 15pm (unless a national assembly is scheduled). The interior has been designed to reflect Namibia’s character and beauty: its wealth of wildlife, scenic landscape, natural resources and, of course, its proud people. There is so much to see in Windhoek. Other popular attractions are the Transnamib Museum, the Gibeon Meteorite Sculpture, the Alte Feste (the old fort) and the statue of the Südwest rider. The Alte Feste was built in 1890 as a protective shelter for the German colonial forces. These days, the historic building accommodates Namibia’s national museum exhibiting countless historic artefacts and documents. The Alte Feste is also rumoured to have been the foundation stone for establishing Windhoek as Namibia’s capital. In later years, it served many purposes. After 1915, it was partly used as a boarding school before it was declared a national monument in 1957. Inaugurated in 1912 on the German Emperor’s birthday, the equestrian sculpture was designed by the Berlin artist Adolf Kürle. It commemorates the soldiers killed in action in the Herero and Nama revolts (1904-1907).

* price per person/week including flight