Best things to do in Windhoek

Located in the city's historic center, Christuskirche represents an example of Gothic Revival architecture, built between 1907 and 1910 and accented with Art Nouveau elements. The church boasts a spire made from quartz sandstone, while part of its roof and three bronze bells were sent from Germany. The stained glass windows, a gift from Emperor Wilhelm II, remain the building's major feature.

Head to the Namibian highlands and explore over 40 sq km (15 sq mi) of the country's wilderness at Daan Viljoen Nature Reserve. The nature park shelters a wide array of animals, including springbok, blue wildebeest, and mountain zebras. There are also over 200 bird species here, including endemic Ruppell's parrots, Monteiro's hornbills, and white-tailed shrikes. Walking through the park is encouraged, as there are no large predators here. You can stay overnight at one of 19 luxury chalets or 12 campsites on offer. For shorter visits, there is a 6 km (3.7 mi) game route, plus two hiking trails.

Feel at one with nature as you explore over 2,020 sq km (779 sq mi) of NamibRand Nature Reserve. You can explore the protected area on foot, in a cross-country vehicle, or via a hot air balloon. Accommodations in the form of lodges and campsites provide a chance to spend longer in the wilderness and experience the region after dark.

Learn about Namibia’s rich history, from ancient, eye-catching rock art to the epic struggle for independence in 1990 at National Museum of Namibia, a museum with two display centers located in Alte Feste and Owela, some 600 m (1,968 ft) apart. Admire the tall, modernist arch with a statue of Namibia’s first president in Robert Mugabe Avenue, and understand the history behind the country's colonial and UN-mandated prison system. Housed in Windhoek’s oldest surviving building, an old German fort dating back to 1890, the museum details the history of the nation's liberation struggle. A collection of photographs and documents detail early resistance against colonialism, while Owela has over 1.5 million fossils, geological specimens, and ethnographic artifacts.

Browse the stalls for Namibian handicrafts at Namibia Craft Centre. Around 38 vendors sell items from rural communities, ethnic groups, and humanitarian projects all across Namibia. Choose among gifts and souvenirs ranging from jewelry to carved tree roots. The center supports Namibian small enterprises in their fight against poverty, and utilization of Namibian natural resources through eco-friendly products and sustainable production. To that end, only 10 percent of goods sold here can be from other countries, and all goods must come from the African continent. Sample fresh Namibian food, plus reputedly the best cheesecake and apple crumble in the city.

Experience African wildlife at Okapuka Ranch, a lodge and a zoo offering game safaris, lion feedings, and day tours. The ranch is home to white rhinos, crocodiles, various antelopes, and lions. With 18 thatched roof rooms, the place is a popular venue for conferences and corporate team-building. There is a bar carved out of camel thorn tree from which you can sip a drink and watch the bush rising toward the mountain. This setting reflects a bygone era, as decor includes wall paintings by a local artist and hand-woven rugs with wool from indigenous sheep.

Situated south of Windhoek, Heroes Acre is a war memorial dedicated to the national heroes of Namibia. Take the stairs to get close to the monument and enjoy panoramic views over the city as you pay your respects to those who died fighting for their country. Sense the history embedded in the tombstones of the fallen comrades during battles over the years, then reflect on the memorial with a drink at the nearby coffee shop.

Nestled on the slopes of a hill, National Botanic Garden of Namibia offers an insight into the flora Africa's driest region south of the Sahara. Spreading over 11 hectares (27 acres), the garden is colored with shades of beige, brown, and olive tones and unlandscaped for the most part. It features walking trails with labeled plants, a rockery, a desert house, and a nursery with a collection of endangered and rare succulents. Pay attention to the thick white trunks of two Phantom trees as you approach the steps leading into the garden proper. Visit the desert house around noon to watch flowers open.