Windhoek
Travel Guide > Africa > Namibia > Windhoek
Introduction
Windhoek (pronounced /ˈvɪnthʊk/) is the capital of Namibia and has about 230,000 inhabitants. It is located in the Khomas Region in the central part of the country on a plateau at an altitude of almost 1700 meters above sea level. The city is relatively young (about 120 years) and small but it is the adminstrative centre of the country and most travelles arriving by plane in Namiba will first spend a day or so in Windhoek. It is safe compared to other African cities and has its own charmes, like the German colonial building style, several churches and the main street, Independence Avenue. In and around the city there are good hotels and restaurants and nearby is Daan Viljoen National Park, which is a good place to do a small safari.
Neighbourhoods
Sights and Activities
Events and Festivals
Weather
Although much of central and southern Namibia have a desert climate, this is not entirely through for the central plateau where Windhoek is located. Although in general dry, the hot summer includes some serious downpours sometimes, especially in January and February. In winter, the weather is usually dry with clear blue skies and temperatures still around or above 20 °C and occasionally the temperature drops below 0 °C during the months of June to August.
Getting There
By Plane
Windhoek Hosea Kutako International Airport (WDH) is the country's primary international airport.
There are few direct connections from Europe, the USA or Australia. From Europe, best direct connections are with Air Namibia or Lufthansa from Frankfurt or Munich.
There are more flights to and from neighbouring countries though, and it is most likely that you have to switch planes in Cape Town or Johannesburg before heading towards Windhoek. South African Airlines flies to these two South African cities, while Air Namibia flies to other cities as well, like Harare and Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe or Maun (gateway for Chobe and Okavango Delta) in Botswana.
By Train
By Car
By Bus
By Boat
Eat
Drink
Work
Learn
This is version 3. Last edited at 22:01 on Apr 14, 08 by Hien (-84). 5 articles link to this page.
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