Our journey from Munich is surprisingly problem-free: Deutsche Bahn takes us from Trudering to Frankfurt Airport on time and with very good service. Our daughter Lea even gets a free children's ice cream in the bistro car. However, the airport is a disgrace: the transfer from the long-distance train station to Terminal 1 by bus seems anachronistic in light of current airports, even if Berlin is probably happy about this interim solution.

The flight with Air Namibia is also on time, so there is nothing to complain about. However, the service depends a lot on the person, so one row gets more attention and another less. The food in economy class lives up to its reputation, and breakfast is actually almost inedible just before landing. But what the heck: like in the book "Hummeldumm", a humorous description of a group trip through Namibia, the chicken runs out in the row in front of us, so that instead of "chicken, lamb or fish" only "fish" is left.

After little sleep, our group, 4 adults and 3 children around 10 years old, arrives early in the morning at the "Hosea Kutako" airport near Windhoek and is greeted by the African bureaucracy. After almost an hour in front of the immigration counters, we are somewhat annoyed and our suitcases are dizzy from riding the carousel. But everything goes smoothly: all the luggage is there, the car rental driver is waiting for us and we get cash with a VISA card from the ATM without any problems.

After a short drive of around 40 km, we arrive at the Savanna car rental company and are greeted with a friendly coffee by the boss and his staff. The handover of the two Toyota Hilux 3.0 TDs (a free upgrade) takes place after endless paperwork and a competent technical briefing. We still have to get used to driving on the left and especially operating the cars, but the light traffic on Saturday makes it a little easier for us.

Thanks to Savanna's description, we quickly find our guesthouse "Palmquell" and can even move into our rooms at 9:30 a.m. After a quick shower, we head to Super-SPAR, which is open until 6:30 p.m. on Saturdays. This is not the case with the other shops in the city center; they close at 1 p.m.

After our shopping we take a lunch break and then go sightseeing. The Tintenpalast, Christuskirche and the Alte Feste with the equestrian monument are on our agenda and everything can be reached on foot without any problems. It is noteworthy that there is no admission charge for the Alte Feste museum. However, there are plenty of other ways to spend your money, for example by donating to East German Namibians, buying all kinds of carvings (for example Makalani Nuts) or self-appointed parking lot attendants.

We have our sundowner in style on the terrace of the Heinitzburg, a real recommendation. Here you can enjoy good drinks in the setting sun at very reasonable prices and have a wonderful view of the city. Afterwards we drive to Joe's Beerhouse, which not only offers good food, but also a kind of tourist must-see.

We end the evening at around 9:30 p.m. and look forward to seeing more of Africa. So far, the stay seems a bit unreal, as the mixture of German signs, advertising and traditions does not really fit the stereotypical idea of Africa.

Weather

• Sunrise and sunset: 6:14 a.m. – 5:27 p.m.
• Temperature: 10°C at night and 23°C during the day
• Weather conditions during the stay: sunny

Accommodation

Rating: The guesthouse is located in the renowned Klein-Windhoek district and not far from the city center with its attractions. The complex offers a guarded parking lot and plenty of space in the rooms. The furnishings are a bit out of fashion, but the pool and sunbathing lawn make up for this. The restaurant offers local home cooking and the service is good. We were even able to move into our rooms at 9:30 a.m.; an advantage if you are traveling from Germany and arrive in Windhoek early.

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