Liebig House | Windhoek

Information

Landmark: Liebig House
City: Windhoek
Country: Namibia
Continent: Africa

Liebig House, Windhoek, Namibia, Africa

Liebig House, also known as the "Ghost House" (Geisterhaus), is a historic colonial residence located on the Farm Neu Heusis in the Khomas Hochland, approximately 42km west of Windhoek. It is situated on a prominent hill overlooking a deep rocky river gorge and the expansive highland savanna.

Visual Characteristics

The building is a large, two-story colonial mansion constructed in a traditional German architectural style using brick, plaster, and local stone. It features extensive reception rooms, a winter garden (conservatory), and large windows designed for panoramic views. Although now a dilapidated shell due to decades of abandonment and vandalism, the structure retains its steep gabled roof and the remnants of its surrounding manicured garden, which once featured a fountain and a water lily pond.

Location & Access Logistics

The house is located about 40km to 50km west of Windhoek along the C28 gravel road (Khomashochland Road) leading toward Swakopmund. It is highly visible from the main road; however, since it stands on private farmland (Neu Heusis), public access to the interior or the immediate grounds is restricted. Visitors must obtain prior permission from the property owners to enter.

Historical & Ecological Origin

The house was built between 1911 and 1913 as the administrative headquarters and residence for the directors of the Liebig Extract of Meat Company (LEMCO). The company, founded by German chemist Justus von Liebig, acquired over 200,000 hectares in the region for large-scale cattle breeding to supply meat for "Oxo" and "Bovril" extracts. Geologically, the site is positioned within the Kuiseb River basin catchment of the central Namibian highlands.

Key Highlights & Activities

Due to its status as an abandoned private property, activities are primarily restricted to external photography and viewing from the C28 roadway. The site is a popular stopover for travelers on the "scenic route" to the coast. Historically, the farm was a self-sufficient hub including a school, post office, and the only skittle-alley (kegelbahn) on a farm in South West Africa.

Infrastructure & Amenities

There are no public amenities, restrooms, or food vendors at the site. The building is an empty, vandalized shell without electricity or water. Modern 4G cellular signal is available intermittently along the C28 ridge. Nearby services are found back in Windhoek or at specialized guest farms in the broader Khomas Hochland region.

Best Time to Visit

The best time for photography is during the golden hour before sunset, when the light emphasizes the weathered textures of the building against the highland landscape. The dry winter months (May to September) provide the clearest air and most temperate conditions for travelers using the C28 gravel road.

Facts & Legends

Local lore designates the building as the "Ghost House," though there are no historical records of deaths on the property to support haunting claims. A verified historical oddity is that the house was home to Alexander Scotland, a British secret agent who infiltrated the German Schutztruppe before World War I. Additionally, a smaller, well-maintained replica of the house exists on the grounds of St. George’s College in Windhoek.