Namibia Photo Gallery - Windhoek and a sidetrip to the Gamsberg Pass

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The majority of visitors begin their trip to Namibia in Windhoek, the countries' capital and the only international airport, the Hosea Kutako International Airport (WDH). The airport is situated about 35 kilometers east of the city, so we recommend to get your rental car right at the airport. Then take the easy drive to the city center to get used to driving on the left side and to the manual transmission.
Depending on your travel schedule, you can start exploring the city right away. Almost all the interesting places can be reached on foot from the main parking area at the Independence Avenue.
First, let's go up the hill on the Fidel Castro Street. This photo shows the Reiterdenkmal (Equestrine Memorial), commemorating the (German) soldiers who lost their lives in the colonial wars.

Another photo of the Reiter Denkmal in Windhoek, with the beautiful Christuskirche (Christ Church) in the back, certainly the most impressing landmark of the city. Built by Gottlieb Redecker from local sandstone, it was completed in 1910 during the time of the German occupation - Kaiser Wilhelm II even donated its beautiful stained-glass windows.

Right next to Reiterdenkmal and Christuskirche you will find the "Alte Feste" (Old Fort). It is the oldest building of the city, built in 1892 as protection for new settlers as well as the German troops called Schutztruppe. As the building is very similar to the Namutoni fort in Etosha, it is also called "Little Namutoni". Today, you will find the National Museum here.

The Christ Church in Windhoek, seen from the gardens of the Namibian Parliament. The gardens are open to the public and a popular place for wedding photos on weekends.

Next to the gardens of the Tintenpalast, you will find three statues of Namibia's anti-colonial heroes, who played an important part on Namibias struggle to become independence. This one shows Chief Hosea Katjiku-Ru-Rume Kutako, the Herero leader who was seen as official spokesman of the Herero after 1st November 1917. He lead the Herero for almost 50 years and is one of the true idols in todays Namibia.

The second statue shows Reverend Theofilus Hamutumbangela, an Anglican Church Leader, who courageously confronted the apartheid regime of South Africa which was dispossessing contract labourers of their meagre possessions at the check-point at Namutoni. Please feel free to read more about him here.

The third statue, finally, shows Captain Hendrik Samuel Witbooi, who was the first African leader who took up arms against the German imperialists and foreign occupiers in defence of Namibia. The Germans were in Namibia for about 30 years (from 1874 to 1915), but they definitely put their stamp on the country. As a matter of fact, you will see a lot of German names and signs throughout the country. Yet, it is fully clear that any occupation of a country can not be tolerated, for whatever reasons there might be. So, kudos to Mr. Witbooi for his bravery!

A guard looks down from the Namibian Parliament on a slow Sunday. The parliament buildings are also nick-named "Tintenpalast" (Ink Palace), due to the many (unnecessary?) ink that went into the laws of the country. The building was built in 1914 and was completely renovated after the independence of the country.

The Independence Avenue is Windhoek's premier shopping mile. You will find everything for your daily life here. Here, you will also find the head office of the Namibia Wildlife Resort Ltd., who basically run the Namibian National Parks. Here you get the necessary permits for accessing the National Parks. You can also reserve accommodation in the National Parks camps here (but we recommend to do this while planning your trip, long before traveling to Namibia). - Anyway, Independence Avaenue is where Windhoek is busiest.

A must-see is the Namibian Craft Center in the Old Breweries Building in the Tal Street 40 (corner Sam Nujoma Drive). The claim "824,269 km2" is no understatement as you will find unique handiwork from Namibian-only manufacturers. And while your wife goes shopping, why not enjoy a refreshment at the "Craft Cafe" on the first floor?

The interior of the Namibia Craft Center. By buying at the Craft Center you directly support the Namibians with no middle-men sitting in between. Oh, and if your purchases are too large to carry with you, the friendly people at the center will certainly help you getting them shipped to your home address. If you like African art, this is the place to look for it.

There are many places for eating in Windhoek - and you will find many of them along Independence Avenue. This is the patio of the Grand Canyon Spur, which is an affordable alternative to the more costly high-end restaurants of the city.

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The majority of visitors begin their trip to Namibia in Windhoek, the countries' capital and the only international airport, the Hosea Kutako International Airport (WDH). The airport is situated about 35 kilometers east of the city, so we recommend to get your rental car right at the airport. Then take the easy drive to the city center to get used to driving on the left side and to the manual transmission. Depending on your travel schedule, you can start exploring the city right away. Almost all the interesting places can be reached on foot from the main parking area at the Independence Avenue. First, let's go up the hill on the Fidel Castro Street. This photo shows the Reiterdenkmal (Equestrine Memorial), commemorating the (German) soldiers who lost their lives in the colonial wars.	Another photo of the Reiter Denkmal in Windhoek, with the beautiful Christuskirche (Christ Church) in the back, certainly the most impressing landmark of the city. Built by Gottlieb Redecker from local sandstone, it was completed in 1910 during the time of the German occupation - Kaiser Wilhelm II even donated its beautiful stained-glass windows.	Right next to Reiterdenkmal and Christuskirche you will find the "Alte Feste" (Old Fort). It is the oldest building of the city, built in 1892 as protection for new settlers as well as the German troops called Schutztruppe. As the building is very similar to the Namutoni fort in Etosha, it is also called "Little Namutoni". Today, you will find the National Museum here.
The Christ Church in Windhoek, seen from the gardens of the Namibian Parliament. The gardens are open to the public and a popular place for wedding photos on weekends.	Next to the gardens of the Tintenpalast, you will find three statues of Namibia's anti-colonial heroes, who played an important part on Namibias struggle to become independence. This one shows Chief Hosea Katjiku-Ru-Rume Kutako, the Herero leader who was seen as official spokesman of the Herero after 1st November 1917. He lead the Herero for almost 50 years and is one of the true idols in todays Namibia.	The second statue shows Reverend Theofilus Hamutumbangela, an Anglican Church Leader, who courageously confronted the apartheid regime of South Africa which was dispossessing contract labourers of their meagre possessions at the check-point at Namutoni. Please feel free to read more about him here.
The third statue, finally, shows Captain Hendrik Samuel Witbooi, who was the first African leader who took up arms against the German imperialists and foreign occupiers in defence of Namibia. The Germans were in Namibia for about 30 years (from 1874 to 1915), but they definitely put their stamp on the country. As a matter of fact, you will see a lot of German names and signs throughout the country. Yet, it is fully clear that any occupation of a country can not be tolerated, for whatever reasons there might be. So, kudos to Mr. Witbooi for his bravery!	A guard looks down from the Namibian Parliament on a slow Sunday. The parliament buildings are also nick-named "Tintenpalast" (Ink Palace), due to the many (unnecessary?) ink that went into the laws of the country. The building was built in 1914 and was completely renovated after the independence of the country.	The Independence Avenue is Windhoek's premier shopping mile. You will find everything for your daily life here. Here, you will also find the head office of the Namibia Wildlife Resort Ltd., who basically run the Namibian National Parks. Here you get the necessary permits for accessing the National Parks. You can also reserve accommodation in the National Parks camps here (but we recommend to do this while planning your trip, long before traveling to Namibia). - Anyway, Independence Avaenue is where Windhoek is busiest.
A must-see is the Namibian Craft Center in the Old Breweries Building in the Tal Street 40 (corner Sam Nujoma Drive). The claim "824,269 km2" is no understatement as you will find unique handiwork from Namibian-only manufacturers. And while your wife goes shopping, why not enjoy a refreshment at the "Craft Cafe" on the first floor?	The interior of the Namibia Craft Center. By buying at the Craft Center you directly support the Namibians with no middle-men sitting in between. Oh, and if your purchases are too large to carry with you, the friendly people at the center will certainly help you getting them shipped to your home address. If you like African art, this is the place to look for it.	There are many places for eating in Windhoek - and you will find many of them along Independence Avenue. This is the patio of the Grand Canyon Spur, which is an affordable alternative to the more costly high-end restaurants of the city.