Namibia Tourist Information 

• CLIMATE

The best time to visit is during the cool, dry winter months of May to September. In summer, November to March, the landscape is verdant green, but expect high temperatures and heavy downpours.

Summers here are hot with daily highs of over 28° Celsius (82 ° F) between October and February; evenings are usually cooler. Winter days are milder, with maximum and minimum means of 20 ° C (69 ° F) and 6° C (43° F) in July, but early mornings and evenings are crisp with frost.

Namibia is situated in south-western Africa on the latitude of the tropic of Capricorn. In the north it borders on Angola, in the east on Botswana, in the south on South Africa and in the west on the Atlantic Ocean. The Caprivi, in the far north-east of the country, extends as far east as Zimbabwe and Zambia.

The country has many contrasting landscapes. Thorn-bush Savannah in the central highlands, dense bushveld, woodland Savannah's and the endless plains of the Etosha Pan in the north, the majestic Fish River Canyon in the south, and finally the Namib, the world’s oldest living desert, in the west of the country, which borders on the Atlantic Ocean.

According to a 1998 estimate, Namibia has a population of 1,8 million, with a population density of 1,7 people per square kilometer, and an annual population growth of 3,1%. The population is heterogeneous, with all eleven population-groups living together peacefully and giving the country a treasure house of diverse cultures.

The largest part of the population lives in rural areas. Windhoek, the capital, is the only city in the country with a population of approximately 250 000. Other bigger towns in the country are Keetmanshoop, Ondangwa, Oshakati, Otjiwarongo, Rehoboth, Rundu, Swakopmund, Walvis Bay and Tsumeb.

All visitors to Namibia must be in possession of a valid passport, and temporary residence permits for visitors are issued on arrival and allow tourists a period of 90 days in the country. Bona fide tourists and business travelers of the following countries are exempted from visa requirements: Angola, Austria, Belgium, Botswana, Canada, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Lichtenstein, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Mozambique, Russia, Singapore, South Africa, Switzerland, Tanzania, United Kingdom, United States of America, Zimbabwe. Visitors are, however, advised to confirm visa requirements with their travel agent.

• RIFLE IMPORT PERMIT

Rifle hunters, who enter Namibia, must complete a temporary import permit for all rifle and/or ammunition in your possession. This permit could be faxed to you (in advance) in order to assist you and for your own convenience!

• HEALTH REQUIREMENTS

Vaccinations against smallpox, cholera and yellow fever are not required. However, visitors travelling from or through countries where yellow fever is endemic must be in possession of a valid International Certificate of Vaccination. This requirement does not apply to air travelers in transit. No AIDS screening test are conducted.

• AIR TRAVEL

The Chief Hosea Kutako Airport (Windhoek International Airport), 45 km (28 miles) west of the capital, is the major point of entry into Namibia. There are landing strips throughout the country and air-charter services are available in Windhoek and Swakopmund (coastal town).

Flights depart on a daily basis from Atlanta, Chicago and New York to Johannesburg. There is also a daily connecting flight between Johannesburg and Windhoek International Airport (Chief Hosea Kutako Airport). Please contact DELTA AIRLINE International flight division for more information or us at Kowas Adventure Safaris. We will gladly assist you. Cost will range from US$ 1000 to approximately US$ 1300.

• WHAT TO WEAR

During the day dress is generally casual, but in some of the more sophisticated hotel restaurants and bars, jeans, T-shirts and slip-slops are not acceptable during the evening when "smart casual" clothes are the norm.

Early mornings and evenings can be cold during the winter months (May to September), so pack warm clothing such as trousers, long-sleeved shirts, a jersey or anorak. During the hot summer months (October to April) loose-fitting clothes, a wide-rimmed hat and raincoat are essential. After rain, temperatures drop by quite a few degrees so include a light jersey for the occasional cool summer evening. Mosquitoes can be troublesome during summer, so remember to pack loose-fitting trousers and long-sleeved shirts to protect legs and arms during the evenings. Warm clothing is necessary throughout the year along the coast where fog and a chilly breeze can create unpleasant conditions.

• TIME

In summer, Namibian Standard Time is two hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time and the same as South African Standard Time; in winter, Namibian Standard Time is one hour ahead of Greenwich mean Time and thus one hour behind South African Standard Time. Summer time commences at 02:00 on the first Sunday of September; wintertime commences at 02:00 on the first Sunday of April.

• ELECTRICITY

Electrical appliances operate on 220/240 volts. Plugs are 3-pin (round), 15 amp. The power source is a "generator", therefore, power would be available to recharge all your electrical equipment!

• MONEY MATTERS

The Namibian currency unit is the Namibian dollar (N$), divided into 100 cents. Coins are issued in denominations of 5c, 10c, 50c, N$1 and N$5. Notes in denominations of N$10, N$50 and N$100. The Namibian dollar has the same value as the South African Rand, which is still legal tender in Namibia.

Currency exchange:

Foreign currency can be converted into Namibian dollars at banks and bureaux de change in Windhoek. Foreign currencies are not accepted at state-owned rest camps, nor are facilities to exchange foreign currency available. Chief Hosea Kutako Airport has currency-exchange facilities.

Banks:

First National Bank and Standard Bank are represented throughout Namibia. Banking hours is from 09:00 to 15:30 on weekdays and 08:30 to 11:00 on Saturdays, except in country towns where banks close between 13:00 and 14:00.

Travelers’ cheques:

May be cashed at any bank and at major hotels in Windhoek. State-owned rest camps and resorts will only cash travelers cheques in South African Rand. Your host and hostess would gladly except your travelers cheques.

Credit cards:

Most hotels, restaurants, shops, car-hire firms and tour operators accept international credit cards (American Express, Visa, Diners Club and master Card). Some German-owned businesses, guest farms in remote areas and shops in rural areas do not accept credit cards. Petrol cannot be bought with a credit card; some banks, however, issue a special "Petrolcard" or "Autocard". We apologize for the inconvenience, but no credit card facilities are available at KOWAS ADVENTURE SAFARIS.

• VALUE ADDED TAX:

VAT of 15% is levied on all goods. Prices displayed on all goods are inclusive of VAT and additional sales duty.

• TIPPING:

It is customary to tip porters, waiters, waitresses, taxi drivers, room attendants and golf caddies, provided the service is satisfactory. It is usual to tip petrol attendants about N$1 when they offer to clean car windows or to check the water, oil and tire pressure. Gratuities for waiters/waitresses and taxi drives are usually 10% of the bill, and tips for porters are generally around N$2.

• TRADING HOURS

Normal business hours are from 08:00 or 08:30 to 17:00 or 17:30 Mondays to Fridays and 08:00 to 13:00 on Saturdays. Shops are closed on Sundays and public holidays, but most supermarkets have restricted trading hours on Sundays and public holidays.

• MEASUREMENTS

Namibia, like the rest of Southern Africa, uses the metric system.

• MEDICAL SERVICES

It is advisable to take out medical insurance before your departure for Namibia.

Hospitals and Doctors:

Private and state hospitals are available throughout Namibia. Namibia’s medical care system is good. There is one doctor for every 4 450 people, and one hospital bed for every 166 people.

• HEALTH HAZARDS

Malaria:

Malaria is endemic in the north and Northeast of the country and it is necessary to take precautions throughout the year. The disease is epidemic from the Etosha pan eastwards to Bushmanland and in the northern part of Kaokoland, occurring in particular during the rainy season. As the recommended anti-malarial drugs could change from time to time, it is important to consult your doctor or a pharmacist well in advance. It is equally important to take the tablets as prescribed and to continue taking the tablets for the advised period after leaving the malaria area.

Aids:

Considering the size of Namibia’s population, the number of HIV positive cases is relatively high. However, provided the necessary precautions are taken, visitors need not fear contracting the disease. The Blood Transfusion Service of Namibia screens all blood for Hepatitis and AIDS. The blood is tested by qualified staff according to standard, internationally recognized methods, and is regularly submitted to strict quality controls.

• CREEPY CRAWLIES

A wide variety of snakes, scorpions, spiders and stinging insects occur in Namibia, but most bites and stings will only cause discomfort. The changes of being bitten or stung are most likely when you are camping out in the open or undertaking walks and trail, and can be minimized by taking a few simple precautions.

Avoid scorpion bites by shaking out your shoes or boots before putting them on in the morning, and do not walk around barefoot or without a torch at night. Ticks are mainly encountered in grassy areas but being bitten does not mean that you will get tick-bite fever. The possibility of tick bites can be reduced by wearing long-sleeved trousers and by inspecting your clothes and body thoroughly during rest stops and at the end of the day. Remove ticks as soon as possible after they are detected by pulling them away from the body or covering them with a greasy substance.

• TRAFFIC RULES & REGULATIONS

Remember to drive on the left hand side of the road in Namibia. There is a general speed limit of 120 km/h on open roads (although it is recommended you reduce speed on gravel roads). Safety belts must be worn.

Overseas visitors (not residents of neighboring countries) must be in possession of a valid international drivers license if they plan to hire or drive a vehicle in this country.