WINDHOEK, NAMIBIA

Windhoek is the capital of Namibia and is the epicenter of this vast country.  The city lies 1,680m above sea level and over 220 miles from the Atlantic coastline, within a basin between the Khomas Highland and the Auas and Eros Mountain ranges.   Windhoek has a growing population of over 230,000 and first impressions are always characterized by the proliferation of German style architecture dating from the city’s colonial past.

The first recorded settlements were established because of the springs in the area.  In those days Windhoek was the point of contact between the warring southern Namas, led by Jonker Afrikaner, and the Herero’s to the north.  Britain annexed Walvis Bay in 1878 and incorporated it into the Cape of Good Hope, with no interest in extending its influence further. Through German colonial expansion, land was acquired by merchants in Luderitzbucht. This was followed by the declaration of the South West Africa territory as a German protectorate in 1884. Germany sent a protective corps under Major Curt von Francois to maintain order, stationed at Windhoek.  The present Windhoek was founded in 1890 when Von Francois laid the foundation stone of the fort, the Alte Feste – it was in 1890 that this Germany colony came into being.   Over the next 14 years, Windhoek developed slowly.  The German colonial era ended during World War I, when South African troops occupied Windhoek in 1915 on behalf of Britain. For the next 5 years, South West Africa was administered by a military government, and development came to a standstill.  After World War II, Windhoek’s development gradually gained momentum.  Namibia’s Independence in 1990 brought considerable investment to the city, expansion to its suburbs and a general upgrading of infrastructure.

The German Lutheran church, Christuskirche, dominates the skyline and the Titenpalast, or ‘Ink Palace’, is the parliament building from where this sparsely populated country is governed.     Independence Avenue is a pleasant tree-lined main road with fountains and walkways among the modern buildings of the central business district. The women of the Herero tribe, cattle herders of the region, are very distinctive with their voluminous Victorian-style dresses and colourful headgear.  The Alte Feste Fort, once the bastion of German colonialism, now houses the National Museum which places particular emphasis on the freedom struggle and Namibian independence.

Windhoek is situated in a semi-arid region. Days are mostly warm with very hot days during the summer.   Nights are usually pleasantly cool. 

Windhoek Hosea Kutako International Airport is located 28 miles outside of the city.  The busy, small regional airport of Eros is within a few miles of the city and services the light aircraft which fly regularly between the attractions such as Sossusvlei, Damaraland, Ethosha, Serra Cafema and the Skeleton Coast.

During the day the city centre has a European cafe culture.  German cuisine is strongly evident, mixed with local culture and cuisine offering good venison or game and seafood from the west coast.  Windhoek has a thriving and lively brewing industry.  

Gocheganas Nature Reserve and Wellness Village, Windhoek

GOCHEGANAS" is a Damara name, meaning:

"Place of Camel Thorns, abounding with Candle-Pod Acacias.

This is a unique lodge, located about 17 miles east of Windhoek, and built on a hilltop with sweeping views over the surrounding Namibian countryside. The lodge is built within the GocheGanas Nature Reserve.

There are 16 luxury chalets, all built under thatch and equipped with en suite bathrooms, air conditioning and television.

The Wellness Village consists of 11 specialist treatment rooms with a heated indoor swimming pool and outdoor swimming pool with beautiful views. There is also a granite bath (cave sauna), Kneipp showers and a well equipped fitness centre with yoga facilities and a fruit and juice bar. Personal trainers are available as well as a nutitional consultant. Children under 12 do not have access to the Wellness Village, but are welcomed in other areas of the lodge.

The GocheGanas Nature Reserve has an interesting variety of wildlife, particularly considering its location. Game includes steenbok, duiker, klipspringer, red hartebeest, blue wildebeest, eland, zebra, springbok, oryx, giraffe and white rhino. There are leopard on the reserve, but they are rarely seen. Morning and afternoon game drives are offered. The reserve is home to a very interesting variety of birdlife too.

Some years back, the owners of GocheGanas made an exciting discovery of ancient stone age caverns located only a few miles from the Lodge. They discovered stone tools and a variety of pottery shards confirmed to be between 2000 and 9000 years old. It appears as though the natural hot water spring on GocheGanas may have been the reason that stone age humans settle here. A visit to the Stone Age Caverns lasts just over two hours, which includes a drive to the site and a short walk to the Caverns.

Hotel Heinitzburg, Windhoek

Hotel Heinitzburg is a member of Relais & Chateaux and is built on a hilltop overlooking Windhoek.

It’s history is interesting; Count von Schwerin commissioned Castle Heinitzburg for his fiance, Margarethe von Heinitz in 1914. His objective to provide comfort with luxurious charm has been continued by the Raith family, who themselves have long been associated with excellent hospitality and cuisine.

There are 16 spacious bedrooms which are attractively furnished and each has a great view over the city. Each room is fully equipped with air-conditioning/heating units, electronic safes, mini bars, television with cable and music facilities.

The hotel’s noteworthy restaurant and terrace are very popular with locals and visitors to Windhoek and the hotel’s superb wine cellar is built into the mountain rock and is well stocked with vintage wines from Southern Africa and around the world.

There is a swimming pool adjoining the Garden Terrace with views over the city.

Olive Grove Guesthouse, Windhoek

This charming 12 bedroomed guest house is well located in the heart of Windhoek, yet in a quiet neighborhood that belies its proximity to the city centre.

Each room has a large veranda with tables and chairs for al fresco dining. Rooms are equipped with tea/coffee facilities, air conditioning and heating, satellite television and safes. Bed linens have been selected with quality and comfort in mind. The open-air lounge, spa bath, plunge pool and tranquil garden all invite the visitor to unwind and relax under Namibia’s open skies.

There is a wellness room offering various treatments including massages, facials, manicures and pedicures.

The inside lounge is tastefully decorated, with comfortable chairs and a welcoming fireplace. The stunning open plan kitchen creates a homely feel while providing tasty meals.

Vertigo Boutique Hotel, Windhoek

Vertigo Boutique Hotel is privately owned and managed and has only 8 en suite bedrooms. It is well located, perched on a hillside, in an up-market residential area of Windhoek. Each bedroom is beautifully designed, with air conditioning, a well stocked mini bar, safe and flat screen satellite television. There is a superb honeymoon suite with a private terrace. The hotel has an interesting small library, a good wine cellar and a swimming pool. A shuttle service is offered for short excursions into the city centre or to nearby restaurants. The owners’ interesting art collection is a feature.

Windhoek Country Club Resort, Windhoek

The Windhoek Country Club Resort is designed as a desert oasis, on the outskirts of Windhoek, Namibia’s capital city. The regional Eros airport is less than 2 miles away.

It is most known for its excellent 18 hole world class golf course which encircles the resort. But the resort has much more to offer – a bowling green, tennis courts and squash courts, a spa, the Desert Jewel Casino, an entertainment centre and the popular Starlight action bar.

150 well equipped bedrooms provide good accommodation for discerning visitors to Namibia. All rooms have safes, mini bars, hairdryers, cable television and small verandahs overlooking the rolling fairways and gardens of the resort.

Dining is offered in the international restaurant, the oriental restaurant or on the pool terrace overlooking the large, sparking swimming pool.