If you are on your way to the coast or up to the north, why not take a break in Okahandja? Famous for traditional craft markets, this town is the seat of the Herero nation and of great historic importance. Sylvanette Guest House, situated in the heart of Namibia's garden town, offers you informal country hospitality. Are you a businessman? Kick off your shoes and relax by the pool! Are you a birdwatcher? Sit in the shade of the lapa and wait for the birds to come to you! The guesthouse is a convenient stopover for businessmen or travellers and a great holiday base for tourists and nature lovers who are in no hurry at all.

Directly north of Windhoek lies Okahandja, a town of great significance to the Herero people because it was once the seat of Chief Samuel Maharero. Every year on August 26 - referred to as Heroes' Day - thousands of Hereros converge in the town to pay homage at the graves of their great chiefs. Some of the women are dressed in traditional red and black, others in green and black, while the men wear full military regalia complete with medals. Visitors are welcome to view this rich and colourful ceremony. According to historian Dr. Vedder, the name Okahandja comes from Herero and means "small widening", the place where the rivers meet. The earlier records of the town date back to 1844 when the first two missionaries arrived there. The year 1894, however, is regarded as the birth of the town as Okahandja became a military base in this year and a fort was built. In 1904 a Herero uprising broke out, leading to many bloody battles in which the Herero suffered great loss of life. On August 26, 1923, the famous Herero Chief Samuel Maharero was laid to rest in Okahandja at a funeral attended by approximately 2 000 people. Since then this day has been celebrated annually at Okahandja by the Herero People. The town is an important centre for woodcarvers from the north. They practise their ancient skills at the wood-and-thatch Mbangura Woodcarvers Market next to the main road, both at the entrance and at the xit of the town. This is a good place to pick a hand-carved hippo, giraffe or rhino, as each piece is carved individually and the standard is generally high.

Okahandja is also a good place to buy biltong - at CLOSWA and Piet's Biltong - while Casa Gabriel is a specialist in safari clothing and camera equipment. The Okakango Wildlife Restaurant & Garden Centre, located 2 km north of Okahandja, provides excellent entertainment, especially for families with young children. The complex is situated in a large enclosure with several tame animals including giraffe and zebra, and has a full range of outdoors equipment for children to play on. Next to the Garden Centre is the Okahandja Cowboy Saddle Shop, which offers rides along typical Namibian bush trails.