Explore the northeast, the Kavango and Zambezi
December 11, 2019
Special spots: Skip the crowds and visit Namibia’s lesser-known places
December 11, 2019
Namibia’s capital city, Windhoek, is a bustling hub smack bang in the heart of the country. It is surrounded by mountains on all sides, the Eros Mountains in the northeast, the Aus Mountains in the southeast and the Khomas Hochland to the west. The city is cosmopolitan while at the same time retaining a small-town atmosphere. It is a walkable city, with many of its attractions located close to one another.
Two and a half hours north of Windhoek lies Waterberg National Park, an extraordinary wilderness island that rises 200 metres above its surroundings. The resplendent brick-red sandstone formations and lush green vegetation make the park a major attraction in the area. Other attractions include the Hoba Meteorite, the largest meteorite on earth, and ancient dinosaur footprints at Otjihaenamaparero
guest farm. Further east is Tsumkwe, the main town in what used to be referred to as Bushmanland, and Khaudum National Park, a far-flung and remote reserve for wildlife.
FEATURES
- Windhoek is Namibia’s capital and largest city
- It is known by the traditional names of /Ai//Gams (Khoekhoe for ‘hot springs’) and Otjimuise (Otjiherero for (‘place of steam’)
- Windhoek is the economic, social, cultural and political centre of Namibia
- There are many historical sites of colonial German heritage, which contrast the contemporary architectural styles of modern buildings
- The Waterberg Plateau, 250 km north of Windhoek, rises 200 metres above the surrounding savannah
- The Hoba Meteorite is the largest known meteorite in the world
- Tsumkwe and surroundings are home to Namibia’s earliest ancestors
ACTIVITIES & ADVENTURES
- Take a walk through Windhoek, find your bearings, meet the locals, see all the main attractions and exercise those jet-lagged legs
- Visit the Namibian Craft Centre to stock up on goodies for those who stayed at home, and get a sense for traditional artwork
- Go on a city tour, learn about Windhoek’s history and visit vibrant Katutura. Try some kapana and the locally brewed oshikundu
- Go on a guided game drive through Waterberg National Park and spot buffalo, eland and rhino on the mountain plateau.
- Learn about the ancient skills of the San people at the Ju/’Hoansi-San Living Museum near Tsumke
- Learn more about wild cat conservation with AfriCat at Okonjima Private Nature Reserve
- Go see Hoba, the largest meteorite in the world
You might also enjoy reading: TNN’s Most Romantic Destinations in Namibia
