Avis Dam

Avis Dam is the quickest way to swap the city for open country without leaving Windhoek. It lies just beyond Klein Windhoek, off the road that leads east towards the international airport, in hilly scenery that feels a long way from Independence Avenue. The sandstone used to build the Christuskirche was quarried near here, which gives the area a small link with the city's best-known landmark.

The surroundings of the dam are looked after by Greenspace, a non-governmental organisation that has worked to keep the area open for public recreation. One of its most useful projects is a paved path designed for wheelchair users and people who find walking difficult. It starts where the sluice meets the dam wall and was extended across the wall in 2017, with a further short section on the north side, giving a route of around half a kilometre. Benches along the way let you sit and look out over the water and the surrounding mountains, and the north side gives a different view back towards the wall.

If you head off the paved section to explore further, wear proper shoes, carry water and a hat, and stay on obvious tracks. The water level depends on the rains. When the dam is full, its gates are opened to relieve the pressure, sending a torrent down towards Klein Windhoek that can make some of the suburb's unbridged streets impassable for a while, and briefly giving local paddlers a chance at white water. Late afternoon is a pleasant time to go, when the heat eases and the light on the hills softens.

Greenspace has said that guards are on duty from 07:00 to 19:00 in summer and 07:00 to 18:00 in winter, and that the area is considered safe during those hours. Go within them, preferably with company, and do not leave valuables visible in your car.

You will need a car or taxi to get there; it is a short drive from Klein Windhoek. Allow an hour for a stroll and a sit by the water, longer if you want to walk in the hills. It suits families, older visitors and anyone needing an easy, accessible outing.