Windhoek is Namibia’s capital and largest city (population ~250,000). It is in the geographic centre of the country at an elevation of 1,600 m. This is the city where most safaris travelling through Namibia begin, and also the first point of entry in Namibia should you arrive by airplane.English is spoken throughout Namibia (it is the country’s official language and is also the medium of instruction in most schools), although in many urban areas Afrikaans (similar to Dutch) is used as a lingua franca, as 50% of the Namibian population speaks Afrikaans. German is widely used in tourism and business. Oshiwambo is spoken by 50% of Namibians as a mother tongue.Radio and television is also predominantly in English.Other languages include Oshiwambo, Otjiherero, Damara/Nama, Setswana, SiLozi, and Rukwangali.The B1, which runs from the north to the south and the B2 (Trans-Kalahari) which runs from the east to the west through Namibia are the primary land routes into Windhoek. Northern towns served by the B1 include Oshakati, Otjiwarongo, and Okahanja. Southern towns include Rehoboth, Keetmanshoop and Luderitz. From the west the B2 connects Swakopmund and from the east it connects Gobabis.This is the easiest way to get to Windhoek for people without a car. Combies run from everywhere in Namibia, and through some combination of different routes, one can always find their way to Windhoek. The Engen petrol station north of downtown (Rhino Park) is the rank for southern and western destinations such as Mariental, Swakopmund, Keetmanshoop. For northern destinations such as Otjiwarongo, Oshakati and Rundu go to Hakahana Service Station, Katutura. However, it is easier to arrange for a minibus to take you (check opposite SAA in Independence Avenue).Combies/Shared Taxis run directly from Cape Town, the long distance taxi terminal on top of Cape Town station on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays at 11am. Cost: 650 rand 17 hours.If you’re arriving in Namibia by airplane, this is most likely to be via Hosea Kutako International Airport. The airport is approximately 40km out of town, so give yourself plenty of time to travel to the city centre. A taxi to the city center will run you about $300-$350N (as of April 2018). Many 4×4 rental companies offer free pick-up and drop-off to the airport so it’s worth enquiring about this if you plan on renting one. Windhoek also has a municipal airport called Eros. This is the main airport for all domestic flights – so travellers making a connection between international and domestic aircraft should also allow at least one hour for the travel time between the two airports.Windhoek’s train station is in the city centre, just off Bahnhof Street.TransNamib , via their StarLine passenger service, operates trains from Windhoek to destinations all over Namibia. Some routes are:  Windhoek-Otjiwarongo-Tsumeb (Discontinued as of 2009)  Windhoek-Gobabis (Discontinued as of 2009)  Windhoek-Swakopmund-Walvis Bay  Tsumeb-Ondangwa (daily)  Windhoek-Keetmanshoop 

Airport: ERS Eros Airport Cities in Namibia

Country: Namibia