Namibia Tourist Information

Namibia is a land of remarkable contrasts. With a land surface of 824,269 square kilometres, it is nearly four times the size of Britain, but, with an estimated population of about 1,7 million people, it remains one of the most sparsely populated countries in Africa. The country’s landscapes are an ever-changing kaleidoscope - changing from the Namib dune sea in the west to teak woodlands and waterways in the northeast. Namibia is a country of clear blue skies and pleasant climate and is a photographer’s dream for both stunning wildlife and awesome landscape pictures.



Please refer to the menu on the left for information on destinations.

Climate

In summer (October to April) the average interior temperatures range from 20° to 34° C, but can rise to over 35° C in the extreme north and south of the country. The temperatures in the west (along the coast) are a fairly stable 15° to 25° C all year round and heavy fog is common at night.

The rainy season is from October through to April and the average annual rainfall varies from less than 50mm along the coast to 350mm in the central interior, and 700mm in the Caprivi.

Winter is from May to September with temperatures in the interior ranging from 18° to 25° C during the day. However below freezing temperatures and ground frost are common at night. Winter is widely regarded as the best season to visit Namibia.

Average temperatures in Windhoek:

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Minimum	17	16	15	13	9	8	7	8	12	15	15	17
Maximum	29	28	27	25	22	20	20	23	25	29	29	30

Visitors should pack both warm and cold weather clothing, as well as hat, sunglasses and sun block for any visit to Namibia no matter what time of year you are visiting.

Distances & Driving

Though Namibia’s road network is considered one of the best in the world, many of the roads are still gravel based and travelling over 80kms per hour can be extremely hazardous. Therefore it may take longer than expected to cover important distances. In Namibia one drives on the left, safety belts must be used at all times and the use of hand-held cell phones when driving is prohibited. Road signs are international and easy to understand.

Cars, minibuses and 4x4 vehicles can be hired at all major towns.

	Windhoek	Swakopmund	Okaukeujo (Etosha)
Windhoek		356	435
Swakopmund	356		561
Okaukeujo (Etosha)	435	561

Currency

The Namibian Dollar (N$) is divides into 100 cents and equals the South African Rand. The Namibian Dollar and the South African Rand are the only legal tender in Namibia. (See currency converter on left menu for current exchange rates).

Foreign currency travellers cheques can be exchanged at most banks.

Major credit cards such as Master Card, Visa and Diners are widely accepted throughout the country.

VAT

All goods and services offered include VAT. VAT for goods purchased may be reclaimed at the main border posts and Windhoek International airport.

Health

The north of Namibia, including Etosha is a malaria-endemic area. Travellers are advised to take the necessary medication/prophylaxis and carry a mosquito repellent or spray, available at a local shop or pharmacist. Tick bite fever can be a problem when walking in grass and travellers should be aware that the incidence of AIDS is high throughout Southern Africa.

Medical services in Namibia are of a high standard. However the availability of the services is restricted to the main towns and emergency evacuation from remote areas may attract high costs. An insurance service for tourists is available from rescue companies providing coverage for emergency transport.

Water

Tap water is safe to drink in major towns and cities. Visitors should take caution in rural areas and ensure that they have enough water when travelling by road.

Electricity

220/240 volts AC. Outlets are of the round 3-pin, 15-amp type.

Visas

Some European citizens need visas. Please check with your local Namibian consulate or embassy.

Local Time

GMT + 2 hours, however daylight saving (GMT +1) puts Namibia one hour behind South Africa during winter, from the first Sunday in April to the first Sunday in September.

NB: There is no daylight saving in the North-Eastern and Caprivi region.

Communications

Though Namibia offers a widespread and reliable service for landlines, some lodges may be beyond the range of the network. Although cell phone coverage is fast expanding numerous rural areas remain beyond coverage. The international dialling code is +264 followed by the regional code and the desired number.

Email is used extensively and there are internet cafés in all the major towns.

Official Languages

The official language is English and all documents, notices and signs are in this language. Afrikaans and German are both widely used.