brown and beige concrete building under blue sky during daytime

Windhoek

Windhoek is Namibia's capital and the usual start for trips to its desert parks and wildlife reserves. Its German colonial buildings make a short city visit worthwhile.

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Windhoek is the capital and largest city of Namibia, set in the central highlands at about 1,650 meters above sea level. Its German colonial past shows in the older streets, where churches, a hilltop fort and stone government buildings date from the late 1800s and early 1900s. The Christuskirche, a Lutheran church completed in 1910, is the best-known landmark. The Alte Feste, built as a fort in 1890, now holds a museum on the city's history.

Most travelers stay a night or two to collect a car and buy supplies before heading out. Windhoek is the common launch point for road trips to Etosha National Park, the Namib Desert and Sossusvlei, each several hours of driving away. Plan one or two days to walk the central streets, eat grilled meat at a local restaurant and prepare for the drive. The dry season, roughly May to October, is the most comfortable time to visit, with cooler days and clear skies. The wet season, from November to April, brings warm weather and afternoon storms.

Windhoek in five

Get Namibian dollars and keep some randNamibian dollars (N$) and South African rand are accepted at par, so rand notes work as a backup. Cards work in many hotels and malls; carry cash for small shops and markets.Money and costs
Pre-book a ride from Hosea Kutako airportHosea Kutako International Airport is about 40 km from the city. Arrange a transfer or a hire car before you land, so you are not searching for a ride with luggage.
Rent a car with gravel-road coverNamibia drives on the left, and many routes out of Windhoek are gravel. Ask the rental firm exactly what its cover excludes on gravel before you sign.Getting around
Book park entry and camps earlyEtosha and other state parks charge entry fees, and camps fill up in peak season. Book your camp and gate entry before you leave Windhoek.All of Namibia
Carry a photocopy of your passportPolice can ask for identification on city streets. Keep the original passport in your lodge safe and carry a photocopy when you walk around.

Things to do in Windhoek

See all attractions in Windhoek

Historic site · WindhoekTurnhalle

Museum · WindhoekNational Museum of Namibia: Curation and Admin Building

Church · WindhoekChristuskirche

Free trip plannerPlan a trip to WindhoekPut the places you like in Windhoek on a map, give them days, and let one button order each day. Free, with no account.Plan a trip

Need to know

Currency: Namibian dollar (NAD); South African rand also accepted at par
Entry: Visa-free for many passports; check the list before you fly
Emergency: 10111 police; ask your lodge or insurer for the ambulance number
Tipping: About 10% in restaurants if service is not included
Time: UTC+2, no daylight saving

Weather by month

Rainy days

Best
Good
Mixed

JanuaryClear10 rainy daysHigh30°Low19°Rainy season
FebruaryPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh28°Low18°Storms, green
MarchClear8 rainy daysHigh28°Low16°Rain tapers
AprilClear4 rainy daysHigh26°Low14°Green, cooling
MayClear0 rainy daysHigh23°Low11°Dry, mild
JuneClear0 rainy daysHigh21°Low7°Cold nights
JulyClear0 rainy daysHigh21°Low7°Dry, cold
AugustClear0 rainy daysHigh24°Low9°Waterhole wildlife
SeptemberClear1 rainy dayHigh28°Low13°Warming, dry
OctoberClear2 rainy daysHigh30°Low16°Hot, dry
NovemberClear3 rainy daysHigh31°Low17°Heat builds
DecemberClear8 rainy daysHigh30°Low18°Rains start

Average daily high and low in Windhoek, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.

Right now in Windhoek

Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.

Feels like: 22°
Humidity: 19%
Wind: 33 km/h
Chance of rain: 35%

Windhoek

10:36 PM

Monday, November 2

GMT+2

Today32°17°35%Monday: Drizzle. High 32°, Low 17°. Chance of rain 35%.
Tue33°16°0%Tuesday: Clear. High 33°, Low 16°. Chance of rain 0%.
Wed35°18°12%Wednesday: Partly cloudy. High 35°, Low 18°. Chance of rain 12%.
Thu34°18°10%Thursday: Drizzle. High 34°, Low 18°. Chance of rain 10%.
Fri35°18°0%Friday: Clear. High 35°, Low 18°. Chance of rain 0%.
Sat33°15°0%Saturday: Clear. High 33°, Low 15°. Chance of rain 0%.
Sun34°15°2%Sunday: Clear. High 34°, Low 15°. Chance of rain 2%.

Updated 07:15 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com

Money

Mid-market rate1 USD = 16.69 NAD

Amount

Converted to

NAD · Namibian Dollar

Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API

Day trips by train

Okahandjaabout 1 hour by roadWoodcarvers and a market on the road north, a relaxed half day.
Daan Viljoen Game Reserveabout 30 minutes by roadGame drives and walks close to the city, good for a first look at wildlife.
Swakopmundabout 4 hours by roadThe Atlantic coast, dunes and desert tours; better as an overnight.Read the guide

Before you go to Windhoek

Phones and eSIMData for maps and bookingsRead the guide

Travel insuranceCover for medical care in remote areasRead the guide

Money and cardsRand, N$ and where cash is neededRead the guide

Stays in WindhoekCentre, Klein Windhoek and OlympiaRead the guide

Rules for Windhoek, checked

Namibia drives on the left. Check speed limits and gravel-road rules with your rental firm before you leave the city.
Meat, dairy and plant products are restricted at Namibian borders. Declare what you carry and check the Ministry of Agriculture's current list before you travel.
Stay on marked roads and in camps inside national parks, and follow the rangers' instructions at waterholes.
Carry a photocopy of your passport on city streets and keep the original in a safe place.

Plan around Windhoek

All of Namibia

Desert parks, gravel roads and how Windhoek fits a longer trip

Read the guide Getting around

Car hire, gravel roads and rides from the airport

Read the guide Money and cards

Namibian dollars, rand and where cash is needed

Read the guide Visas and entry

Visa-free stays and what to check before you fly

Read the guide Where to stay

Central Windhoek, Klein Windhoek and Olympia compared

Read the guide Phones and eSIM

Data for maps, bookings and calls

Read the guide

Windhoek FAQ

Is Windhoek worth visiting?

Yes, for a day or two. Christuskirche, the Alte Feste museum and the Independence Memorial Museum make a short city visit. Most travelers use Windhoek to collect a car and start a park trip.

How many days do you need in Windhoek?

One to two days covers the city centre and a museum or two. Add time for collecting a hire car and for rest after a long flight.

How do you get from the Windhoek airport to the city?

The airport is about 40 km from the city. Pre-book a transfer or collect a hire car at arrivals so you know your ride before you land.

Do I need German to visit Windhoek?

No. English is the official language and is used in hotels, shops and government offices. German and Afrikaans are also common, and some signs and menus use them.

Do I need a car in Windhoek?

Not for the city centre, which you can walk in a day. You need a car, a tour or a transfer for the national parks and the routes out of town.