On holiday in the capital of Namibia: the wonderful parks around Windhoek and the green corners of the city.
Uncontaminated nature, between oases, wild animals and thermal waterfalls. Ideal for a relaxing holiday between hot baths and animal observation, or full of adventure including rock climbing, excursions in canyons or forests. All in Windhoek, la capital of Namibia, one of the most fascinating countries in Africa awaits you for the holiday of your dreams.
Located in the hills of Khomas Hochland, the reserve Daan Viljoen Game Park it is considered a real sanctuary for game viewing, that is, the observation of animals. Since this park is not inhabited by large predators present in other areas of Namibia, you can go hiking following marked paths. Ideal for families and corporate trips visitors find abundant wildlife. Visitors can walk around the park and there are two well-marked trails. Mountain biking is permitted.
La vegetation of this park not far from the capital is made up of 61 plant families, 205 genera and 301 species, including native ones of Namibia. Some common plants include mountain thorn acacia, camel tree, buffalo thorn acacia, karee, trumpet thorn, and camphor bush.
There are no large predators in the Daan Viljoen nature reserve, but oryx, wildebeest, red hartebeest, rockhopper, zebra, impala, giraffe and kudu walk freely. The capital reserve is a destination for the birdwatching: there are over 200 native Namibian birds. Here you will find the rock runner, white-tailed shirke, Monteiro's bracelet, Ruppell's parrot and goat. Nesting boxes have been built in various parts of the park, following a project studied with experts from Great Britain, the United States and Denmark.
To reach it from Windhoek you need to take the C28 westwards for about 15 kilometres; the exit for the park is clearly indicated while the park office is after another 2,5 kilometers. If you don't want to return to the capital at the end of the day, bungalows with rooms, a refrigerator and an outdoor fireplace are available. There is a restaurant, where you can try Namibian cuisine, a kiosk and a swimming pool.
Outside the center of the capital of Namibia there is the spa of Barmen Hot Springs. It sits on the banks of a tributary of the Swakop River, and its hot spring supplies water to both the indoor spa hall and the outdoor pool. This is water rich in fluoride and sulphate which flows from a temperature of around 65°C. The internal thermal pool has an artificial waterfall under which you can have your muscles massaged, the water temperature here is 40°C. In the outdoor pool the water temperature is 25-29°C.
To reach these hot springs from the capital, take the exit located a short distance from the southern entrance to Okahandjia on the B2. Follow road 87 until you reach the exit 25 kilometers further; you can settle in a bungalow or in campsites equipped with field kitchens.
Always leaving the city there is Spitzkoppe, the destination for climbing fanatics: it is located halfway between the capital and Swakopmund and is often called "the Matterhorn of Namibia". If you leave Windhoek and travel in a southwesterly direction, the various roads linking the central region to the coast offer spectacular views. The most famous altitude is that of the Gamsberg pass which descends from the plateau and crosses the right side of the Nambi, passing through the Kuiseb river and the Kuiseb canyon.
In the heart of the capital, visit the National botanical Gardern. Established to protect the flora of Namibia, it is an educational and recreational center for all Namibians and tourists visiting the country. By following the marked paths, you will be able to see the most common plants accompanied by a brief description. The garden boasts one of the densest cultivations of Aloe littoralis, symbol of the city of Windhoek, wonderful specimens of Euphorbia virosa (elephant's foot) and Pachypodium lealii ("bottle tree". The botanical garden is open from Monday to Friday.
Located in the center of the city, Windhoek Zoo is a green and water oasis particularly dear to Namibians for whom they are truly two precious things. This park in the capital is home to the Chinese pavilion which symbolizes the friendship of Namibia with the people of Shanghai and the Witbooi memorial which commemorates the fallen of the battles between the Schutztruppe and (the German colonial army and the Nama commanded by their legendary leader, Hendrik Witbooi).
