Windhoek - Namibia

The small, friendly capital of Namibia, the city of Windhoek, is spread around a wide valley between bush-covered hills. Strolling through the centre, the pavement cafés and picturesque old German architecture conspire to give a spacious, European feel, whilst street-vendors remind you that this is Africa. The office blocks are tall, but not skyscrapers, and the pace is active, but not frantic.

The shops are good, especially for leather, gems and African curios, and the restaurants are great value. Off Independence Avenue, the city's main street, is a modern, open-air shopping complex. Here street-vendors sit to sell jewellery, crafts and curios near the shaded parking bays of air-conditioned department stores.

For self-driving visitors, Windhoek is often the best place to collect a hire car, or a hired 4x4; get any last-minute shopping, and then head off to drive around the rest of the country. We can arrange your hired car to be collected at the airport, or in town – though we usually recommend that you get it at the airport, on arrival.

On your arrival we suggest a night at one of Windhoek's high-quality guesthouses. This will give you time and space to relax after you step off the plane. Top tips here include Hilltop House, a lovely and fairly stylish place with just six guest rooms. The Heinitzburg Hotel is slightly larger, more formal and in a spectacular location.

Other good guest houses and small hotels include Hotel Pension Thule, the Olive Grove, Haus Sonneneck and Pension Palmquell. Do ask us for news of the latest 'best guesthouse in town'!

Meanwhile, forty minutes' drive southeast of Windhoek is Gocheganas Wellness Village, Namibia's top spa.

If you have half a day to spare in Windhoek, then let us send you on a fascinating Township tour – which will take about three hours and open you eyes to a different side of the capital.