National Earth Science Museum

The National Earth Science Museum is a small, free museum on the ground floor of the Ministry of Mines and Energy building on Aviation Road. It is easy to overlook, but for anyone curious about why Namibia's landscapes look the way they do, or about the mining that underpins its economy, it is a rewarding hour. The museum is divided into three sections: minerals, mines and palaeontology.

The minerals section shows Namibian rocks, minerals and gems, along with displays on everyday uses of minerals that make the subject relevant to non-specialists. Iron meteorites from the Gibeon meteorite shower in the south of the country are on show here too, and they are worth seeing alongside the public display in Post Street Mall. The mining section explains exploration, past and present mines in Namibia and the role of mining in modern life and is useful background if you are travelling on through the country.

The palaeontology displays are the highlight for many visitors. They include Otavipithecus namibiensis, described as the oldest fossil ape found south of the equator, and Ediacaran fossils around 550 to 565 million years old, some of the earliest complex life on Earth. There are also fossils of Mesosaurus, Kannemeyeria, Cynognathus and Rauisuchus, and a life-size replica of the dinosaur Massospondylus, which tends to be the favourite with children. If you are visiting as a group, booking the curator's tour ahead is the best way to get the most from the displays.

According to the City of Windhoek, the museum opens on weekdays from 08:00 to 13:00 and from 14:00 to 17:00, closing over lunch and at weekends. Entry is free. Guided tours are available by request only and must be booked in advance with the curator, on +264 61 284 8391. As the museum is inside a government building, carry identification and expect to sign in at reception.

The museum is on Aviation Road opposite the Mercure Hotel, outside the main shopping streets, so a short taxi ride is the easiest way to get there. Allow 45 minutes to an hour. It suits families, students and travellers planning a route through Namibia's mining and fossil areas, and it is a good option on a hot afternoon.