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The harsh desert landscapes, the cool Atlantic Ocean, the green plains of the north, the mountains and rivers... these are the things that have enthralled visitors to Namibia over the ages. The silent Namib Desert with its shifting sand dunes and rare desert elephants is the oldest desert in the world. Sparsely populated, with only 2 people per square kilometre and a population of 1.8-million, allowing ample space for everyone as well as for an abundant and thriving wildlife population.
It is truly a land of contrasts and many cultures, from the German colonial heritage with its October beer fests and many German-style pubs and restaurants, to the hunter-gatherer Bushmen, the hunting and fishing Caprivians, the farming and cattle-herding Owambo, the Damara, the Herero with their distinctive and colourful dress, the Himba with their red ochre-covered bodies and braided hair, and numerous other groups. Namibia is a peaceful and stable democracy, and a land of many wonderful experiences. |
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| English, German & various indigenous. |
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| Windhoek |
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| Coastal areas cool, rain-free mostly, with fog and day temperatures of 15C-25C.
Winter temperatures in interior range from 18C-25C during day, frost and minus-zero temperatures common at night.
Summer average interior temperatures from 20C-34C and sometimes above 40C in the north.
Humidity generally very low in most parts of Namibia, but can reach as high as 80% in the extreme north during summer.
Rainy season is from October-April - rainfall varies from less than 50mm along the coast to 350mm in the central interior and 700mm in the Caprivi.
Pack both warm and cold weather clothing.
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- Summer: GMT +2 hours from the 1st Sunday in September to the 1st Sunday in April.
- Winter: GMT +1 hour from the 1st Sunday in April to the 1st Sunday in September.
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| Currency is Namibian Dollar, South African Rand (linked 1:1).
American Express, Diners Club, MasterCard, Visa, Maestro and European Community credit/debit cards accepted – for others, check with your bank.
Advisable to take travellers cheques in US dollars or South African rands. |
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| International Dialling Code: +264 plus local area code.
Good telecommunications network.
Cellphone Operator: MTC - has international roaming agreements with many countries.
Cellphone coverage limited to urban areas; cellphones can be rented, prepaid cellphone cards can be bought.
Internet cafes throughout the country - most hotels & lodges have facilities.
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| Good postal service - airmail to Europe takes between 4 days & 2 weeks.
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| 220 volts AC, 50hz. Outlets are of the round three-pin type. |
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| National airline is Air Namibia.
British Airways, South African Airways, LTU and TAAG fly to Namibia.
Smaller air charter companies operate in Namibia.
Main airport is Hosea Kutako International Airport 40km (25 miles) from Windhoek.
Other airports at Eros (Windhoek), Katima Mulilo, Rundu, Ondangwa, Walvis Bay, Lüderitz, Keetmanshoop & 16 licensed air strips.
Transport available between airport and city.
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| No airport departure taxes payable.
General Sales Tax (GST) is 8% on goods and 11% on services.
Bona fide tourists to Namibia are exempt from paying sales duty or excise duty on luxury items.
Visitors may reclaim VAT at Hosea Kutako International Airport, Eros Airport and Walvis Bay Airport.
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| Foreign visitors need passports valid for at least 6 months after date of entry.
Visas required for all visitors except in case of existing visa agreements with some countries.
Tourist visas from Namibian Ministry of Home Affairs and Namibian embassies abroad.
Entry fees payable when entering from neighbouring countries.
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| Vaccinations for yellow fever for people coming from affected countries, and vaccinations for malaria for people going to affected places in Namibia.
Inoculations regulations can change at short notice..
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| Various car rental companies operating at airports and in major cities.
Registered private transfer operators ferry passengers in and around Windhoek city and to the city's two airports.
Regular transport services in the city.
Tourism Board registered shuttle operators are recommended for tourists.
Several trains from South Africa including luxury tourist trains.
Driving on left hand side of roads - speed limits apply – valid foreign driver's license required.
Road network in Namibia is made up of tarred road, gravel road and sand road.
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| Namibia is politically stable.
Crime occurs mostly in urban areas.
Do not travel unprepared or alone off main routes into isolated rural areas.
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