How to get to Namiba
Transportation to Namibia is usually by air, with direct flights
from Johannesburg and Cape Town, as well as direct international
flights from Frankfurt, Munich, Düsseldorf and London.
Hosea Kutako International Airport is situated 45 km’s
east of Windhoek, as strong prevailing winds & high mountain
ranges render the Windhoek valley unsuitable for large planes
to land. Various transfer companies & taxis are at the
guests’ disposal for transfers to the city centre &
their accommodation. You are able to collect your pre-booked
rental vehicle directly at the airport.
Credit Cards
International Visa and MasterCard credit cards are generally
accepted and to a lesser degree Diners Club and American Express,
while the Speedpoint and ATM facilities assure quick and efficient
service. Holders of other card types are advised to clarify
whether their card qualifies as an acceptable payment method
in Namibia. You have the possibility to exchange foreign currency
at foreign exchange offices, all banks and some hotels and
lodges throughout the country.
Note: No
credit cards
are accepted at petrol service stations.
Local time
Namibia’s summertime is two hours ahead of GMT from
the first Sunday in September to the first Sunday in April.
Wintertime is one hour ahead of GMT, from the first Sunday
in April to the first Sunday in September.
Currency
The Namibia Dollar (N$) equals the South African Rand (ZAR)
1:1. The South African Rand is legal tender in Namibia and
is accepted throughout for payment. Denominations: 5c, 10c,
20c, 50c, N$1, N$5, N$10, N$20, N$50, N$100, N$200.
Water
Tap water is safe to drink throughout the
country, except for isolated rural areas, where
the consumption of filtered or bottled mineral
water is recommended. These isolated areas
include some areas in the Kalahari Desert and
the entire Caprivi Strip, where water is pumped
directly from the rivers. All accommodation
establishments in these areas provide bottled
water for their guests.
Electricity
220/240 Volt AC Round two or three-pole 15
amp plugs are used. These can be purchased
at all major outlets in the cities of Namibia.
Health and entry requirements
Due to the hot dry climate Namibia is virtually
free of tropical diseases, therefore health
certificates are not normally required. Visitors
arriving from a yellow fever zone require a valid
international yellow fever inoculation certificate.
Anti-malaria prophylactics are advisable if
visiting northern Namibia, the Etosha National
Park serving as the accepted Malaria border.
A valid passport, which is valid for 6 months
beyond intended departure, is required. Please
contact your nearest Namibian Tourism Board
office or Namibian Embassy for an updated list
of Visa requirements prior to entering Namibia.
Medical Services
In all major towns professional medical care is
available while Windhoek boasts three worldstandard
hospitals. All major centres have staterun
hospitals. Doctors are listed under ‘Classified
Medical Listings’ in the local telephone directory.
As Namibia is such a vast country, emergency
medical evacuation services extend to the
furthest corners of Namibia and are supported
by a well-developed charter industry and a good
road network. Adequate insurance covering
travel, accident, illness and hospitalisation is
strongly advised for the duration of your stay.
Please also contact your medical doctor for any
inoculations or malaria prophylaxis, which often
has to be taken before arrival.
Climate
Seasons are opposite to those of the northern
hemisphere. Namibia averages 300 days of
sunshine a year! The climate is typical of a
semi-desert country where droughts are a
regular occurrence. September to April belong
to the summer months with the rainfall season
ranging from October to April. Winter ranges
from May – August. During winter months the
coastal stretches may be plagued by east
wind weather, resulting in extremely hot winds
blowing the sand of the Namib Desert towards
the Atlantic ocean.
Some average temperatures in Celsius:
| Location |
Summer |
Winter |
| Windhoek |
15°C - 35°C |
7°C - 28°C |
| Swakopmund |
12°C - 22°C |
9°C - 18°C |
| Fish River Canyon |
17°C – 34°C |
6°C – 27°C |
| Etosha National Park |
17°C – 32°C |
7°C – 26°C |
Average rainfall figures vary from less than 50
mm along the coast to 350 mm in the central
and 700 mm in the far northeastern regions.
Language
The official language is English but German and
Afrikaans are widely spoken and understood.
Namibia has 15 ethnic groups with some 27
languages and dialects being spoken. The
lingua franca to this date is still Afrikaans.
Photographic equipment
Film and batteries can be difficult to purchase
in some areas. Recommended film for the
conditions is 100 ASA. Dust-proof packing
for your equipment is strongly recommended.
It is courteous to ask permission before
photographing people in towns or in remote
areas. Taking photos of State house or any
military installation including any border posts
is strictly forbidden and may result in the loss
of your camera.