Things to do in  Windhoek

Leggy giraffes and lumbering elephants roam the stark white salt pans that cover Etosha National Park in Namibia. In one of Africa’s oldest and largest game parks, you’ll find broad savannah plains, shrubbery dusted a ghostly white from the desert dust, and plenty of animals that are easy to spot against the minimal landscape.

On the white clay pan of Deadvlei, petrified trees stand out like Matisse cutouts against the orange dunes. Located in the Namib-Naukluft Park, the site was formed through persistent drought and scorching sun, which killed the trees and dried them until they became stark black skeletons. Eerie and dramatic, Deadvlei shows off the strange beauty of the desert.

The national Museum of Namibia may house an impressive collection of historical artifacts including items that date back to when this young country was known by other names, like Southwest Africa or South Africa. But it’s not necessarily the gallery halls that make this city-center spot worth the visit. The National Museum happens to be housed in the capital’s oldest surviving building—a structure dating back to the early 1890s that was once a hub for German Schutztruppe. Visitors to this historic landmark can learn more about the country’s struggle for independence, battle against apartheid and the genocide that took place against the Herero people. The museum also includes reproductions of some of Namibia’s most famous rock art, including San paintings from Twyfelfontein and Brandberg, too.

Spanning 350,000 square miles (560 square kilometers), the Kalahari Desert stretches across Namibia, Botswana, and South Africa. With sandy red hills, low scrub brush, and herds of gazelle, Kalahari’s name derives from a Tswana word meaning “the waterless place.” It’s a dramatic and desiccated landscape where you can experience the vast scope of the land.

During the long decades of oppression during the apartheid era, the South African colonial government forcibly relocated thousands of Black and mixed-race citizens (known in Southern Africa as colored people) to the township of Katutura. Forced to rent homes from the city, Katutura was a symbol of injustice. Today, despite the continuing inequality in the region, you’ll find arts centers, markets, and food stalls.

This Namibian mountain pass links the Khomas Highland and Namib Desert. With a top gradient of 14 percent, the road to the pass is among the region’s steepest. Quartzite rocks on the summit have become a landmark in their own right; the bright white stone can be seen at a distance as vehicles wind upward toward Spreetshoogte Pass.

The plunging walls and incongruous flatness of the surrounding landscape make Fish River Canyon a dramatic sight. Located in southwest Namibia, the canyon is one of the largest in the world and is a renowned destination for hikers looking to challenge themselves. The river comes and goes depending on rainfall, but the stunning canyon always remains.

Known as the “Garden Town of Namibia,” this historic community of 24,000 residents makes a good home base for travelers seeking an alternative to Windhoek. There’s a laid-back, small-town feel here, as well as a craft market overflowing with vivid artwork by local woodcarvers, whose sculptures depict wildlife from fish to rhinoceroses.

The red stone crenellations of Duwisib Castle stand out against the brilliant blue sky of the Namibian desert, making for a dramatic scene. Despite the castle’s medieval appearance, it was only built in 1909 to serve as the residence of a German military officer. Today, it operates as a national monument and museum.