Namibia's capital city may be the largest in the country, but at 200,000 it still retains a tranquil, uncluttered feel. This multicultural centre lies within a beautiful valley, bordered by the Bros and Anas Mountains, and has plenty of colonial reminders, with modern office blocks merging with restored German architecture.
The city was founded in its present position in 1892, and the Germans settled here until the town was captured during World War One by the South African army on behalf of Britain. Traditionally the city was named after the hot springs which caused the early settlement in the first place, but the name was changed by the Afrikaaners to Windhoek, windy corner.
A strong German influence remains, with plenty of German restaurants and although the official language of Namibia is English, most people can also speak German.
Windhoek has a real cosmopolitan flare despite its size, and it has the only international airport in the country, so it's lucky that it's so well connected- situated almost exactly in the centre of Namibia, the capital city is the perfect base for travelling around.
This conservation project in the Namib desert is about getting out into the field and really making a difference at the forefront of elephant conservation. This is your chance to get involved in vital elephant conservation in Namibia.
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