Windhoek: Museums, Galleries and Libraries, Namibia

Displayed:   times.

Windhoek has, perhaps after Swakopmund, some of the country’s best museums, galleries and libraries, though even these state collections are limited. The South African regime, which controlled the museums until 1990, had a polarised view of the country’s history, understandably, and undesirably, slanted towards their involvement in it. It remains difficult to find out much of the history of Namibia’s indigenous peoples. That said, the museums are gradually redressing the balance.
Owela Museum Robert Mugabe Av; tel: 061 293 4358
North of State House, almost opposite Conradie Road, Owela Museum houses the natural history sections of the State Museum, with a good section on cheetah conservation, and a little on the country’s traditional cultures.

Opens: Mon–Fri 09.00–17.00, Sat and Sun 10.00–12.30 and 15.00–17.00.
Admission is free.
Alte Feste and State Museum Robert Mugabe Av; tel: 061 293 4362
This is the capital’s best museum, concentrating on Namibia’s history over the last few centuries. There’s an exhibition of historical photographs, including shots of many important leaders, and displays of household implements of the missionaries and the country’s indigenous peoples. There’s also a special exhibit on the independence process, and the transition to majority rule in 1990.

Open: Mon–Fri 09.00–18.00, Sat 10.00–12.45 and 15.00–18.00, Sun 11.00–12.30 and 15.00–18.00. Admission is free.
National Art Gallery of Namibia Robert Mugabe Av and John Meinert St, tel: 061 231160; fax: 061 240930
Namibia’s small National Gallery (also see page @@) has a permanent exhibition of Namibian art – some historical, some contemporary – and also hosts a variety of visiting exhibitions. It’s well worth checking out.

Opens: Mon–Fri 09.00–17.00, Sat 09.00–11.00. Admission is free.
TransNamib Transport Museum Bahnhof St; tel: 061 298 2032
Housed upstairs in the old railway station building, this museum is run by the parastatal transport company, TransNamib. It shows the development of transport in the country over the last century, with particular emphasis on the rail network.

Opens: Mon–Fri 10.00–12.00 and 14.00–15.30. Admission is N$2 per adult.
Bushman Art Museum 187 Independence Av; tel: 061 228828
At the front this is purely a curio/gift shop, with a good selection of books on Namibia (in German and English), as well as T-shirts, jewellery, gemstones, cards, hats, and even socks. Behind, through the shop, a museum area displays bushman tools, clothing etc, various African masks and Karakul carpets. Many items on display are for sale, except the bushman tools.
The museum/shop is open everyday until 17.30 and on Sundays from 10.00 until 13.00.

Opens: Mon–Sat 09.00–17.30, Sun 10.00–13.00. Admission is free. More info on: www.namibiatourism.com

Rate this tip:

Rate!

Add Comment >>

Your Name:

Your Comment:

General Tips about Namibia

» Required travel documents for Namibia
» Electric power
» Area code to Namibia
» Namibia, types of safari tours.
» Namibia, activities and tours.
» Namibia, clothing & personal care.
» Namibia, Visas & other documents.
» Namibia, wildlife.
» Namibia, climate
» Namibia - Kaokoland
» Namibia - Waterberg Plateau Park
» Namibia - Skeleton Coast National Park
» Namibia - Namib Naukluft Game Reserve
» Namibia - Mahango Game Reserve
» Namibia - Khaudom Game Reserve
» Namibia - Fish River Canyon National Park
» Namibia
» Namibia - Damaraland Wilderness Reserve
» Namibia - Daan Viljoen Game Park
» Namibia - Caprivi Game Reserve
» Namibia - Cape Cross Seal Reserve
» Namibia - Windhoek
» Namibia - Walvis Bay
» Namibia - Swakopmund
» Namibia - Luderitz
» When To Go To Namibia
» Abseiling
» Water adventures
» Dune adventures
» Mountaineering & Rockclimbing
» 4 x 4 Trails
» Hiking
» Physical Infrastructure
» International & Domestic Airports
» Airlines & Airports
» What to pack
» Tax & Customs
» Currency & Credit Cards
» Time
» Entry Requirements
» Weather
» People
» Transportation in Namibia
» Communications in Namibia
» History
» Wreck of the Winston
» Wondergat
» Windhoek: Windhoek’s Historical Buildings
» Windhoek: Museums, Galleries and Libraries
» White Lady
» Welwitschia Drive
» Vingerklip – The Rock Finger
» Two Craters
» Toscanini
» Torra Bay Area
» The Uniab River
» The Ugab River
» The Omaruru River
» The Koichab River
» The Huab River
» The Giant’s Playground
» Swakopmund Coast: Welwitschia Drive
» Spitzkoppe
» Sesriem Canyon
» Reho Spa
» Popa Falls
» Organ Pipes
» Oanob Lake Resort
» Mukurob
» Möwe Bay
» Lüderitz: Nautilus Hill
» Lüderitz: Museum
» Lüderitz: Goerke Haus (The Blue House)
» Lüderitz Carpet Weaving Factory
» Lüderitz Peninsula
» Lake Otjikoto
» Lake Liambezi
» Lake Guinas
» Hidden Vlei
» Hartmann’s Valley
» Gaub Caves
» Garub Pan
» Elizabeth Bay
» Elim Dune
» Dead Vlei
» Burnt Mountain
» Brandberg
» Bogenfels
» Agate Beach
» Vingerklip
» Tsumkwe
» Tsumeb
» Otjiwarongo
» Otavi
» Hobas Meteorite
» Grootfontein
» Dragon's Breath
» Dinosaur Footprints
» Caprivi
» Walvisbay
» Usakos
» Swakopmund
» Skeleton Coast Park
» Omaruru
» Karibib
» Hentiesbay
» ERONGO MOUNTAIN NATURE CONSERVANCY
» EPUPA FALLS
» CAPE CROSS SEAL RESERVE
» BRANDBERG
» Warmbad
» Sesriem
» LÃœDERITZ WATERFRONT
» Kolmanskop Ghost Town
» Kalahari
» Hardap Dam
» EAGLES MONUMENT IN THE GARDEN OF REMEMBRANCE
» Duwiseb Castle
» Desert Horses
» Brukkaros Mountain
» Bethanie
» Von Bach Dam
» Rehoboth
» Okahandja
» Gross Barmen Hot Springs
» Gobabis
» The Gamsberg
» DAAN VILJOEN GAME RESERVE
» Arnhem Cave
» Caprivi
» Fish River Canyon
» Namib Desert
» Quiver Tree Forest
» Duwiseb Castle
» Kolmanskoppe
» Fishriver Canyon
» Ai-Ais Hot springs Resort
» Naukluft Mountain
» Sesriem Canyon
» Sossus Vlei
» Namib Naukluft Park
» Namib region
» Central Region
» Central North
» North West - Damaraland and Kaokoland
» North East - Bushmanland
» North East - Kavango
» North East - Caprivi
» Hunting
» Swakopmund
» Sossusvlei
» Namib-naukluft national park
» Namibia
» Lüderitz
» Fish River Canyon
» Etosha National Park
» Windhoek

   More travel tips about Namibia