Windhoek, formidable and breathtaking, forms the center of the Central Region and the whole of Namibia.

Here it is often the many examples of German colonial architecture under the blue African sky that attracts the keen photographer.

There is the Alte Feste fort, Christuskirche (Christ’s Church), the well-kept gardens of Tintenpalast (Ink Palace)and the neatly preserved railway.

Many of the farms in the environs are involved in tourism and can be visited for a meal, to spend a night or two, or simply relax over coffee and cake.

100 km north west of Windhoek off the B1 is the Gross-Barmen Hot Springs.

Its main feature is the dome-shaped and glass-enclosed thermal hall, which houses a communal bath of steaming spring water (65°C).

The town of Gobabis is an important cattle-ranching center. Also in the district is the Harnas Lifeline Project, a wildlife orphanage that takes care of more than 200 animals, including lions.

The Acacia Forest at Rehoboth is well known for its large camel-thorn trees, some estimated to be 2 000 years old.

South of Okahandja is the Von Bach Dam and Game Park, safe to explore on foot and a popular venue for water skiing, yachting, windsurfing and boating.