The best sunset spots
Windhoek has a handful of great viewpoints overlooking the city and the surrounding mountains. Even though most of the places listed here are expensive hotels, you don’t have to stay there to enjoy the view.
Hilton Windhoek’s Skybar
Take the lift to the ninth floor and find a place on the deck next to the swimming pool to watch the sun dip behind the Khomas Hochland in the west. (See previous spread for the view you get from here.) Just about all of downtown Windhoek’s important landmarks and buildings are visible. Support the bar while you’re there. Where? Rev Michael Scott Street Contact: 00 264 61 296 2929; hilton.com
Hotel Thule
If you want to escape the city centre, head to the hills. Hotel Thule is a swanky place on a hill overlooking the suburbs of Eros and Klein Windhoek – those are the Auas Mountains in the distance (see photo, left). Book a table at On the Edge Restaurant for a panoramic view; the windows are big. Where? 1 Gorges Street Contact: 00 264 61 371 950; hotelthule.com
Hotel Heinitzburg
Heinitzburg is a three-storey castle built in 1914 by Dr Hans Bogislav Graf von Schwerin, as a gift for his wife Margarethe von Heinitz. From the terrace you have views of the city to the west, with the Khomas Hochland on the horizon. Come enjoy a drink at this colonial landmark (now a luxury hotel). Where? 22 Heinitzburg Street Contact: 00 264 61 249 597;
www.heinitzburg.com
River Crossing Lodge
The deck at River Crossing Lodge, south-east of the city, is a favourite spot for sundowners. The lodge is on a 6 500 ha game reserve. Settle into a chair next to the swimming pool and look west to see Windhoek flanked by mountains. Even though it’s close to the city you get a real feel for the country’s wide open spaces here. Where? 3 km outside Windhoek; the turn-off is on the B6 (airport road). Contact: 00 264 61 401 494;
www.rivercrossing.com.na