Almost perfectly positioned, in the geographical centre of the Republic of Namibia, is its capital city of Windhoek. It retains echoes of its time as a German colony, but is a unique blend of urbane cafe vibe, high-rise Western office blocks and a diverse cultural mix. Namibia was shaped by South Africa’s apartheid policy, but fought hard to become an independent state in 1990. It has enjoyed an uninterrupted period of peace and stability since. Windhoek is the ideal place to begin or end a unique African motorhome rental adventure.
Take the hassle out of Windhoek campervan rental
It can be daunting to plan an epic road-trip holiday, especially in a continent as vast as Africa. However, if you let Motorhome Republic do the organising for you, it couldn’t be simpler. Start on our comprehensive website and give us some basic travel details to work with. Then we can show you every available motorhome for your holiday. Sort through your options using filters, or readily compare the campers’ specifications from international and local operators. Once you’ve made a decision, you can book securely online, with the back-up of a best-price guarantee. If you still have questions, feel free to give one of our multi-lingual motorhome experts a call - they are available around the clock.
What to see and do in Windhoek
Start with the cafes in the town centre for great people watching. The unofficial landmark of the city is the Christ Church, built in 1896 for the German Lutheran congregation. It is an unusual mix of neo-gothic and art-nouveau architecture, which has left it looking a little like an edible gingerbread house. It is possible to tour inside if you pick up a key during business hours from the nearby church office. The National Museum is an essential stop to understand the history and struggles of this young country. A worthwhile experience is to head into the former township of Katutura. Katu Tours offer a guided tour by bicycle – they start at the Penduka Women’s Project, a craft co-operative.
Food and Drink in Windhoek
There’s a good mix of African and German-inspired cuisine available. Don’t miss Joe’s Beer House, a lively pub with a good range of beers and bush meat such as crocodile and oryx on the menu. For a restful spot where you can still watch all the action, settle on the outside deck of the Namibia Crafts Cafe, for a hearty breakfast, freshly-squeezed juice or a health-shake.
Motorhome camping in Windhoek
UrbanCamp.net is the nearest motorhome campground to the city. It’s a five-minute walk to Joe’s Beerhouse and a shopping centre for all essentials. There are lots of tented campsites near to the city. Park the camper at Corona Guest Farm in the mountains outside Windhoek, and enjoy a luxury night under canvas with hiking and wildlife spotting nearby.
Road Trips from Windhoek
Namibia is great for a self-drive safari, with a good safety record and reasonable roads. The Etosha National Park is one of the most productive places in Africa to view wildlife. Because of its large waterholes, you don’t hunt out the animals, they come to you! Windhoek has an international airport, Hose a Kutako, 45km east of the city. There are frequent flight connections from neighbours Zimbabwe and Zambia. To get an idea of the scale of distances, it is an eight-hour flight or 24 hours of driving from Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, to Windhoek. Cape Town to Windhoek is another epic journey, and could be covered in just under a week if driving.
Safety Tips for Driving in Namibia
Namibia is one of the safest countries in Africa and the roads are either tarsealed or well-graded metal. It is best not to drive long distances at night because of the sparse population. If you should break down, or collide with a wild animal, you are unlikely to encounter passing drivers who could help. Keep stocked up with water and petrol.
