Windhoek - Post Report Question and Answers
What are some typical ways to socialize, either with local people or with other expatriates? Are there groups or clubs that you can recommend?
I don't know about any clubs or groups, but if that's your thing I'm sure you can find something. Everything here is on Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp so don't shy away from social media here - you will miss out! - Jul 2024
Hiking club. Churches. Clubs There are a lot of great cultural events and a monthly night market. Hash House Harriers is also a welcoming community. - Jan 2021
Game drives, local bars, CLO activities, Spa days (they have places that offer manicures, pedicures, massages and so forth. Just make sure they are licensed, as they are not required to be licensed in Namibia). - Jan 2016
Braais, get out of town, pool parties, get together with friends. - Jun 2015
There's one movie theater that plays about five movies at a time--normally at least one's in Afrikaans--but they do get American movies in a timely fashion. We had Iron Man 3 (legitimately) the week after it opened in the US. "Sundowners" are a popular pasttime here: sitting outside at a few of the wine bars with a view and watching the sunset with a glass of wine or a gin and tonic (alcohol is a fairly major component of life in Namibia). The government tries to curb excess by banning sales of alcohol in stores from 2pm on Saturday until Monday morning. There are some clubs, but they are populated by the local high school students as well as the 20-something crowd, which some people find kind of awkward. Entertaining tends to be fairly individually-driven: a braii or a movie night at someone's house, or it's going to be a really quiet weekend. Windhoek tends to roll up the sidewalks around 9pm, and Sundays are dead. - May 2013
Braais are a national pasttime and with a pool at home, pool parties are popular. There are also wine bars and clubs. It seems to be hard to get hooked into the local social scene but with some perseverance it can be done. - Jan 2013
Not a whole lot going on, but if you really try, you can find cultural activities - albeit on a smaller scale than elsewhere. There is one theater that tends to get the worst U.S. movies ever - week after week. - Jul 2012
