Namibia Museums

(Namibia, NA, Southern Africa)

Many of the larger towns in Namibia have their own local museums. In all, Namibia has some 30 different museums, heritage institutions and cultural villages - more than enough to satisfy even the most ardent devotee of all things cultural and historic.

The city of Windhoek comes with the best of these offerings, with categories and subject matters including state heritage, geology, native history and transport. Further museums are to be found within the harbour town of Luderitz (Karas Region), the city of Grootfontein (Otjozondjupa Region) and the former German garrison town of Outjo (Kunene Region).

Alte Feste Museum / National Museum

Address: Robert Mugabe Avenue, Windhoek, Namibia, NA, Africa
Tel: +264 061 293 4362
This former fort is home to the National (State) Museum's historical collection. As such, it focuses on the last few hundred years of the country's long and often eventful history. Exhibits range from old photographs to objects used in everyday life by the inhabitants of colonial Namibia. For those interested in the period before the arrival of independence, a series of exhibits clearly show the lead-up to majority rule.
Open hours: October to April, Monday to Friday - 09:00 to 18:00; Saturday and Sunday - 10:00 to 12:30, 15:00 to 18:00; May to September, Monday to Friday - 09:00 to 17:00; Saturday and Sunday - 10:00 to 12:30, 15:00 to 17:00
Admission: free (donations encouraged)

Owela Museum

Address: 4 Robert Mugabe Avenue, Windhoek, Namibia, NA, Africa
Tel: +264 061 293 4358
Founded in 1907 and based in the former headquarters of the German Protection Force in Windhoek, next to the National Theatre, this museum is home to an eclectic collection of objects which form part of the National (State) Museum. These comprise items used by indigenous people, including those of the Bushmen and Herero people, amongst others. There are also sections dedicated to the country's rich natural history.
Open hours: October to April, Monday to Friday - 09:00 to 13:00, 14:00 to 18:00; Saturday and Sunday - 10:00 to 13:00, 14:00 to 18:00; May to September, Monday to Friday - 09:00 13:00, 14:00 to 17:00; Saturday and Sunday - 10:00 to 13:00, 14:00 to 17:00
Admission: charge

National Earth Science Museum (Geological Survey)

Address: Aviation Road, Windhoek, Namibia, NA, Africa
The Windhoek National Earth Science Museum is the main repository for rocks, minerals and fossils found in Namibia. Displays feature information about regional mining and the uses of industrial minerals - from the bathroom to vehicle production. Smaller meteorites from the Gibeon Meteorite shower are also exhibited here, as well as a collection of fossils, including a prosauropod dinosaur known as Massospondylus.
Open hours: Monday to Friday - 08:00 to 13:00, 14:00 to 17:00
Admission: free

Trans-Namib Transport Museum

Address: Railway Station, Bahnhoff Street, Windhoek, Namibia, NA, Africa
Tel: +264 061 298 2186
Located on the first floor of Windhoek's rather beautiful old railway station, the Trans-Namib Transport Museum may be relatively small is size, but its exhibits are in good supply, taking a look back at the growth of the railways in Namibia and other modes of transport. A locomotive that dates back to the early 20th century has pride of place at the entrance, while the building itself is particularly impressive, with its Cape-Dutch facade dating back to 1912 and built by the Germans.
Open hours: Monday to Friday - 09:00 to 12:00, 14:00 to 16:00
Admission: charge

Luderitz Museum

Address: Diaz Street, Luderitz, Namibia, NA, Africa
Tel: +264 063 202 582
This small local museum is a treasure trove of objects and information relating to the harbour town of Luderitz's history. The discovery of diamonds and their mining is covered, along with various aspects of local natural history and native communities. Close by is the Fishing Harbour, a number of banks, a popular seafood restaurant and the Colonial Train Station.
Open hours: Monday to Friday - 10:00 to 12:00, 15:30 to 17:00.
Admission: charge

Das Alte Fort Museum Grootfontein

Address: Grootfontein, Namibia, NA, Africa
Tel: +264 067 242 456
This local museum, based in the town of Grootfontein, is home to an eclectic collection of artefacts. These range from mineral samples and historic costumes to some ancient agricultural vehicles and an assortment of German colonial household utensils. There are also numerous photographs documenting the development of Grootfontein, as well as old hunting trophies, weaponry and an early map showing the northern region of the country.
Open hours: October to April, Monday to Friday - 09:00 to 12:30, 14:00 to 16:30; May to September, Monday to Friday - 09:00 to 12:30, 14:00 to 16:00, visitors outside the usual opening hours can be arranged if required
Admission: charge

Outjo Museum

Address: Franke House, Outjo, Namibia, NA, Africa
Nicknamed the Kliphuis, or Stone House, Franke House (Franke Haus) is home to Outjo's museum. The house itself is pleasantly situated amidst green lawns, overlooking the town. This attraction was built as a residence for the town's military commander in the last months of the 19th century. However, it didn't come to be used as a museum until 1993. Visitors will discover that it houses an eclectic collection of anything and everything relating to the town and local area, including old rifles, a trophy horn collection, locally mined gem stones, antique furniture and old-fashioned milk carriages, once pulled by goats. This is also a useful source of information about the history of the German campaign in the area, which was commanded by Major Viktor Franke.
Open hours: Monday to Friday - 07:30 to 13:00, 14:00 to 17:00
Admission: charge