NAMIBIA - Windhoek

The Namibian capital of Windhoek is a pleasant and compact city which can easily be explored on foot. It’s a very relaxed, almost European type of place packed full of colonial German architecture. Although it has no really major attractions, it is well worth spending some time strolling around the city. A brief tour should include a walk down Independence Avenue (Windhoek’s main street) noting the Kudu Memorial statue built in 1960 and should take in the Railway Station with the ‘Poor Old Joe’ locomotive before heading for the centre of town and the Post Street Mall with its colourful Clock Tower. The mall is the city centre’s major business and shopping district. This is a modern area of wide pavements, shopping malls and continental style cafeterias. 

It is here that the largest known collection of meteors in the world stands on display.  These are thought to be 600 million years old and came from the Gibeon Meteorite Shower. To the east of Independence Avenue lies the small Zoo Park, the Christus Kirche and Government Gardens. The church is a delightfully attractive building with tower and is made of the local sandstone. The stained glass alter windows were donated by Kaiser Wilhelm II.   The setting in front of the gardens makes a very picturesque setting despite being only a few yards from Independence Avenue.

Slightly further south, on Tal Street, the Namibian Craft Centre provides a permanent showcase for the local handicrafts which are also for sale. For an excursion from the capital, the Daan Viljoen Game Park is only about 20 Km east of the city and makes an easy day trip. This park is home to many mammals such as eland, gemsbok, mountain zebra, blue wildebeest, springbok and kudu. There is a circular drive and various nature trails of different lengths.  As there are no dangerous predators in the are, you are free to walk as you please.

Food & Drink : For an excellent meal, try Gathemann’s Restaurant.  This is a friendly and informal place offering top quality tender Ostrich, Springbok and Oryx steaks. Even Zebra and Giraffe are sometimes offered (but only in a casserole as they tend to be tough).  Not really a good place for vegetarians.

Shopping : If you are interested in rocks and gems then head for Sid Peters’ House of Gems shop at 131 Stubel Street.  Peters discovered the mineral Pietersite which only occurs in Namibia. The shop is most famous for having some of the best examples of Tourmaline.