For almost every traveller to Namibia Windhoek will feature as the launch point of their Namibian exploration. The city is surrounded by several mountain ranges, giving visitors arriving from the airport an early glimpse of the big scenery to come later in their trip. Though Windhoek lacks the cosmopolitan appeal of neighbouring South Africa’s major cities, recent years have seen some great dining options emerge to rival the long-established favourites, and we would definitely recommend heading out to sample these on your first (or last) night in the country.

Windhoek’s accommodation varies from small welcoming guesthouses to the larger chain hotels, or on the outskirts, some small nature reserves which make the ideal stop at the end of a trip to relax before the journey home.