Description
The Avis Dam Nature Reserve not only has a lake, shoreline and marshy areas, but there is also a range of different habitats to explore, including thornveld, sweet thorn savannah and open grassveld, and the rocky areas to the north of the flood plain.
It is an easy walk over the dam wall going around the dam. Birds you can encounter here include Kalahari Scrub-Robin, Short-toed Rock-Thrush, Monteiro's Hornbill, Familiar Chat, Rockrunner, Rosy-faced Lovebird, Pied Barbet and Ashy Tit. The flood-plain area is also interesting and there you might spot Dideric Cuckoo, Black Cuckoo, Great Spotted Cuckoo, Great Egret, Blacksmith Plover and African Spoonbill.
The water-bird numbers are boosted towards the end of autumn by the arrival of many migrants and many different herons and waders. European Bee-eater is also a migrant visitor. On and around the lake you can observe several species of ducks, grebes, African Fish-eagle, Red-knobbed Coot, Great White Pelican and Greater Flamingo.
Details
Access
The Avis Dam is situated on the eastern edge of Windhoek, approximately 10 km from the city center. Look for the Avis Dam Nature Reserve signs as you enter the vicinity. Press a P on the map for directions to a parking. Opening Times: 07:00-19:00 (18:00 in winter). Entrance fee is NAD30 per car for a day visit (2025). You can explore the many single tracks in the hills around the dam. The circular walking route indicated on the map is about 5 km. The Avis Dam Nature Reserve is protected by security guards who will greet you at the entrance.


