About Windhoek

Windhoek is the capital of Namibia. Windhoek is a vibrant city with many attractions, making it ideal for backpacking tours across the region.

Windhoek Budget Travel

Windhoek budget travel is very easy with great value for money backpacking tours and fantastic highlights. Below is useful information on Windhoek to help you plan your budget holiday in Windhoek. We offer a variety of budget tours and backpacking advice in Windhoek.

Airports

Windhoek airports include:
• Hosea Kutako Windhoek International Airport

Birdlife

Daan Viljoen Game Reserve offers some of the best Windhoek bird spotting, with over 200 species of birds to be seen, including guinea fowl, rock runner and yellow billed hornbill. Other hotspots for bird watching include the thermal baths at Gross Barmen, and the beautiful Hardap Dam and Recreational Park near Mariental, Namibia’s largest artificial lake.

Conservation

Windhoek conservation plays a vital role in preserving the natural habitats in the city and surrounds. There are a numer of game and nature reserves, including Na'an ku se Wildlife Sanctuary, Harnas Wildlife Foundation, NamibRand Nature Reserve Windhoek, Daan Viljoen Nature Reserve and Cheetah Conservation Fund, all of which offer protected areas for a number of species.

Culture

Windhoek culture influences include the following:
• Afrikaans, German and traditional African cultures provide a mixture of influences and cultural heritages
• Festivals are a popular aspect of current Namibian culture
• Sports are a popular pastime in the country
• Music and dance plays a key role in many local cultures
• Literature is important for ancient and current cultures

Customs

Windhoek customs allow for free import of the following for travellers over 16 years:
• 400 cigarettes, 50 cigars and 250g of tobacco
• 2l of wine and 1l of spirits
• 50ml of perfume and 250ml of eau de toilette
• Gifts to the value of N$50,000

Health

Windhoek health care is a lot more advanced than many African cities, and the city has a number of fair medical facilities. Generally, health risks are fairly low and water is safe to drink in almost all areas. Windhoek is malaria free with no major health issues, and if travellers take basic health precautions during their travels there should be no cause for concern.

AIDS

Windhoek HIV/AIDS is a major concern, with a prevalence rate of 15.3% in adults of 15 years and older in the country. This comes to an estimated 180,000 people living with HIV or AIDS by the end of 2007, with a recorded 5,100 AIDS related deaths in 2007. There are approximately 14,000 children of 15 years or younger living with HIV or AIDS, and about 61% of women are affected.

Vaccinations

Windhoek inoculations include:
• Diphtheria
• Hepatitis A
• Malaria
• Rabies
• Tetanus
• Typhoid
• Yellow Fever (if coming from an infected zone)

Languages

Windhoek languages include:
• English (official language)
• Oshiwambo
• Afrikaans
• German

Malaria

Windhoek malaria information includes:
• Malaria medication not needed to visit Windhoek
• Malaria medication includes Larium, Malarone, or doxycycline
• If you are coming from a malaria zone be sure to continue the course as prescribed
• Follow basic guidelines such as using mosquito repellent and mosquito netting
• Speak to your doctor about malaria medication you will need if travelling onwards

Money

Windhoek money and banking information includes:
• ATMs can be found across the city
• US Dollars and South African Rands are often accepted at major retailers
• Most large hotels, game parks and shops accept credit cards
• Travellers cheques can be exchanged at banks, airports or hotels
• Banking hours are Monday to Friday 09h00-15h30 and Saturday 09h00-11h00

People

Namibia people include the following groups:
• Ovambo
• Kavangos
• Herero
• Damara
• Nama
• Bushmen
• Tswana
• English
• Afrikaans
• German

Phrase

Windhoek local phrases in Afrikaans include:
• Good morning - Goeimore
• How are you? - Hoe gaan dit?
• I'm fine - Goed
• Please - Asseblief
• Thank you - Dankie

Vaccinations

Windhoek inoculations include:
• Diphtheria
• Hepatitis A
• Malaria
• Rabies
• Tetanus
• Typhoid
• Yellow Fever (if coming from an infected zone)

Plants

Windhoek plants are most limited to sparse vegetation regions such as highveld vegetation which cover the Khomas Hochland hills, plus interspersed grassland and highveld acacia savanna on scattered hills and open outcrops, with denser riverine woodland along river courses.

Religion

Windhoek religion includes:
• Christian 80%
• Indigenous beliefs 20%

Safety Tips

• Keep valuables safe and out of sight in a money bag under your clothes
• While Windhoek is mostly safe, muggings and petty crime can occur so be on guard and don’t walk around alone after dark
• Keep to the speed limit and look out for wild animals on the roads
• Do not get out of your car during game drives, unless you are at a designated rest stop
• Listen to tour staff and guides regarding travel warnings and wildlife warnings

Transport

Windhoek local transport options include:
• Car
• Bus
• Train
• Taxi

Travel Books

Windhoek recommended travel books include:
• Windhoek Street Map by Map Studio
• Into Africa Travel Guide - Windhoek by David M. Martin
• Namibia: The Bradt Travel Guide by Bradt Travel Guides
• Namibia Handbook: Tread Your Own Path by Lizzie Williams
• Lonely Planet Namibia by Deanna Swaney

Visa Requirements

Get more information on visas in Namibia

What To Buy

• Windhoek travel guide plus a current map of the area
• Sleeping bag and camping mattress if you are on an overlanding tour
• First aid box with basic supplies
• Good sized backpack plus a decent moneybag
• Insect repellent and a torch

What To Pack

Sunglasses, sunhat and plenty of sunscreen
• Comfortable walking or hiking shoes
• Long pants and warm jacket for cool nights or winter travel
• Loose, lightweight clothing with long sleeves for mosquito protection in summer
• Camera, batteries plus spare film or memory card

When To Go

• May to September are the coolest months and best time to visit
• This season is also the dry season which is best for wildlife
• Temperatures can drop to freezing point in the desert during this time
• December and January are the hottest months of the year
• Temperatures can be extremely high during summer months

Wildlife

With a large number of game parks and reserves, Windhoek wildlife viewing offers sightings of a range of species including lion, leopard, wild dogs, cheetahs, elephant, kudu, blue wildebeest, springbok, zebra, eland, oryx, hyena and many other species including large troops of baboon and other primates.