Windhoek: Avis Dam to become a conservation and recreation hub!

update (27 July 2026)

The revitalisation of Avis Dam has moved into high gear. Phase 1 on-site enhancements are already visible, featuring newly installed educational signage and trail orientation displays at the main parking area near the dam wall. Boosted by strong recent inflows—which saw City engineers actively managing the sluice gates—the reservoir and surrounding bushveld are thriving, with recent sightings of leopards, caracals, and diverse birdlife.
Managed by Greenspace's 190-strong volunteer base, daily operations now benefit from dedicated security, on-site wardens, and field research partnerships with the National Museum of Namibia. As the initiative prepares its next phase—including an entry app and trail extensions—Greenspace remains focused on securing a long-term lease extension beyond 2030 with the City of Windhoek to protect this vital urban greenbelt for years to come.

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The Avis Dam, located on the eastern edge of Windhoek, Namibia, is set to be transformed into a premier conservation, recreation, and community engagement hub. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed by Gondwana Collection Namibia, PSG Wealth Namibia, and Greenspace Namibia, a voluntary non-profit NGO, to enhance the dam’s role as a vibrant public space.

This non-profit initiative aims to preserve and improve Avis Dam by:

• Enhancing recreational opportunities with well-marked trails.
• Developing an environmental information center to educate visitors.
• Promoting urban conservation and education through guided activities.
• Boosting digital engagement, including an interactive mobile app for updates, event notifications, and entrance fee payments.

A modern information center at the main entrance will provide visitors with real-time insights into activities, trails, and conservation efforts. Additionally, the initiative seeks to attract new partners and investors to ensure the long-term sustainability of the site.

Built in 1933, the Avis Dam was originally constructed as a drinking water reservoir for Windhoek. While no longer serving as the city’s primary water source, it remains a popular outdoor destination.
For nature lovers and birdwatchers, the dam is home to diverse wildlife, including the Rockrunner, Monteiro's Hornbill, and Rosy-Faced Lovebird. The surrounding landscapes—lake shores, scrub brush, rocky hillsides, and grassy floodplains—create an ideal habitat for birdlife and other fauna.

Greenspace Namibia, operating on behalf of the City of Windhoek, is responsible for daily management, maintenance, and the master plan's execution. Gondwana Collection Namibia and PSG Wealth Namibia will provide long-term support to ensure Avis Dam remains a sustainable, community-driven public space.

Whether you're looking for hiking, birdwatching, or a relaxing outdoor escape, Avis Dam offers a unique blend of nature, history, and conservation—just minutes from Windhoek's city center.