Overview
Windhoek is Namibia's compact, sunlit capital, set high on the Khomas plateau at around 1,700m. It's the usual starting point for a Namibian adventure — Sossusvlei's dunes, Etosha's waterholes, the Skeleton Coast — and an easygoing, walkable city with German colonial architecture and busy craft markets. No airline flies direct from the UK, so every routing involves one connection, through Europe, the Gulf or Johannesburg.
Best time to fly to Windhoek
The dry season, roughly May to October, is the most popular time to visit: warm, clear days, cold nights and excellent wildlife viewing. July, August and September are the busiest and dearest months, along with Christmas and New Year. The green season, November to April, brings hotter days, afternoon storms, newborn wildlife and generally lower fares, while April, May and November make pleasant shoulder months. The When to book chart above shows how prices shift through the year.
Airlines and routes
UK travellers connect through a hub. Lufthansa and Eurowings Discover route via Frankfurt, Qatar Airways via Doha, and Ethiopian Airlines via Addis Ababa. You can also fly to Johannesburg with British Airways or Virgin Atlantic, then take a short hop to Windhoek with Airlink or FlyNamibia. From London, allow around 14–17 hours in total including the connection; from Manchester, budget a little longer, typically via Frankfurt, Doha or Addis Ababa. The Johannesburg–Windhoek leg is only about two hours.
Things to do in Windhoek
A day or two here is well spent before you head into the desert.
- Independence Memorial Museum: A striking hilltop museum charting Namibia's road to independence, with a rooftop cafe and sweeping city views.
- Christuskirche: The 1907 German Lutheran church that is Windhoek's most photographed landmark.
- Namibia Craft Centre: Dozens of stalls of textiles, baskets and jewellery under one roof in the Old Breweries building.
- Daan Viljoen Game Reserve: Zebra, giraffe and oryx on gentle walking trails, around 25 minutes from the centre.
- Katutura tour: A guided visit to the markets and kapana meat grills of Windhoek's largest township.
At Hosea Kutako International Airport (WDH)
The main airport is about 45km east of the city, a 40–45 minute drive. There's no train or public bus, so most visitors use a pre-booked shuttle or hotel transfer, or take an airport taxi (agree the fare first). Car hire desks are busy here, as most Namibia trips are self-drive. The smaller Eros Airport, closer to town, handles domestic light aircraft.
Top tips for finding cheap flights to Windhoek
- Book ahead: connecting long-haul fares are usually best around 8–16 weeks before departure.
- Travel off-peak: avoid July–September and the festive period; April–May and November are cheaper and still pleasant.
- Be flexible: midweek departures and a day either side often cost less — check the price charts on this page.
- Compare hubs: a routing via Doha or Addis Ababa can undercut Frankfurt or Johannesburg, so weigh up a few before booking.
Travel essentials
Since 2025, UK passport holders need a visa for Namibia, available on arrival or online as an e-visa for tourist stays of up to 90 days — quick to arrange, but check GOV.UK for current fees and rules before you fly. Your passport should be valid for at least six months with blank pages. The currency is the Namibian dollar, pegged to and interchangeable with the South African rand; cards are widely accepted in Windhoek, though cash is handy in rural areas. No vaccinations are required for entry unless you're arriving from a yellow fever country, and the area around Windhoek is malaria-free.
