Katutura is a Damara word meaning “the place we do not want to be”. The name was given to the township established by the South African administration in the 1950s to house Windhoek’s Black population away from the white colonial centre. Residents who had lived in the Windhoek Old Location for generations were forcibly removed when the township was bulldozed; Katutura was the result.
Today, Katutura is a major residential area of approximately 100,000 people, a functioning city within a city, with markets, shebeens, churches, small businesses, and a cultural character that the colonial city centre does not have. The township tour is the way most visitors access it.
What the Tour Covers
Windhoek township tours run 2 to 3 hours and are available through several operators including community-based organisations that put the income directly into local projects. A typical tour covers:
The Single Quarters: The original housing blocks built for single male workers; now a dense residential area with informal additions to the original concrete blocks.
The Open Market: A large open-air market selling fresh produce, second-hand clothing, traditional food, and a range of goods. One of the most socially dense public spaces in Windhoek.
A shebeen visit: The informal bars that serve as community social spaces. Most tours include a stop for a local beer (Camelthorn or Windhoek Lager) in a genuine shebeen environment.
A cultural presentation: Depending on the operator, may include music, traditional food tasting, or a visit to a community organisation.
Booking
Book through community-based operators rather than large tour companies; the income distribution is more direct and the guides are community members rather than outsiders. Ask your accommodation in Windhoek for recommendations; the operator quality varies significantly.
The tour is appropriate for visitors of all backgrounds and experience levels; the operators manage the experience to be engaging without being intrusive.