Namibia Travel Info

Electricity
In Namibia the power plugs and sockets are of type D and M. The standard voltage is 220 V and the standard frequency is 50 Hz. In Namibia the power plugs and sockets are of type D and M. 220-240 volts is used throughout Namibia. If you have a video or digital camera, make sure your battery charger is of the same voltage.

Time Zone
Namibia GMT + 2 (1 hour ahead of continental Europe)

Currency
The Namibia currency is the Namibian Dollar NAD1 (divided into 100 cents). The Namibian Dollar (NAD; symbol N$) is in note denominations of N$200, 100, 50, 30, 20 and 10. Coins are in denominations of N$5, N$1, 50 cents, 10 cents and 5 cents. The Namibian Dollar is at par with the South African Rand, meaning they are interchanged at equal value. Both currencies are accepted in Namibia.

Credit cards (especially Visa and Mastercard) are accepted by many hotels and restaurants, but petrol stations throughout the country and shops in remote places accept cash only. ATMs can be found in most towns. To ensure smooth transactions, notify your bank of your intended travel to Namibia before your trip

Mobile Phones
Namibia has excellent mobile coverage in cities and towns, but coverage can be sporadic outside urban areas. Buying a local sim card is the best way to avoid paying roaming charges. MTC, the country's leading mobile provider, is recommended.

Bugs
With Namibia being located in Africa you may encounter all manner of local wildlife (insects, reptiles, small mammals, rodents, cockroaches). Lights attract bugs so don’t leave your lights on when you leave your room.
Mosquitoes are best dealt with by using mosquito repellent, long baggy clothing in the evenings and sleeping under a mosquito net. Regarding medication in malarial areas please follow the advice of your local health practitioner and the World Health Organisation.

Security
Please ensure that your passport, air tickets and money are securely stored in your room safe. Do not leave jewellery, mobile phones, cameras or any other valuables in your room or in public areas.
Ask your hotel, guest house or tour operator to recommend a reputable taxi company. Don’t enter townships at night unless you are accompanied by someone with local knowledge.

Tipping
It is customary to leave a tip with your restaurant bill as well as petrol station attendants. Aside from guides and drivers you may wish to tip anyone who works in service, porters, room cleaners, taxi drivers and golf caddies, as well as game rangers and trackers. 10% is customary.

Safety on Safari
The basic rules of safari are:
Don’t feed animals you don’t own.
If you don’t know ask.
Always listen to your guide.
Do not go walkabout without a guide.
Wild animals are called that because they are wild and unpredictable.
Many rivers are populated with crocodiles and hippos, even if you can’t see them.

Road Safety
Namibia has a good network of tarmac and gravel roads connecting cities, towns and attractions, making self-driving a popular option favoured by adventurers. Apart from main highways, all roads are either gravel or sand, so hiring a four-wheel-drive vehicle is recommended as it has good ground clearance and comes with tyres more suited to 'off-road' driving. Petrol stations are available in all towns and some rural areas, but you're advised to fill up whenever you have the opportunity

Road Quality
Roads are generally well maintained but away from the highways, surfaces are gravel, not tarmac.

Health
These are merely guidelines please follow the advice of your local health practitioner and the World Health Organisation.

There are good medical facilities in Windhoek. Make sure you have adequate travel health insurance and accessible funds to cover the cost of any medical treatment abroad and repatriation. Even with fully comprehensive travel insurance, private hospitals in Namibia may insist on proof of payment (cash or credit card) before starting treatment. They may also insist you pay up front, reclaiming from your insurer at a later date. Some travel insurance policies are not recognised by some Namibian hospitals, you should check with your provider if their product is accepted in Namibia before you travel and seek alternative coverage where necessary. Medical evacuation from remote areas can take time.

Health risks
Malaria is a risk if you are heading to the northerly parts of the country anytime between November and June. The Kunene River, Kavango and Caprivi regions are at risk throughout the year. Mosquitoes, malarial and otherwise, are best dealt with by using mosquito repellent, long baggy clothing in the evenings and sleeping under a mosquito net.
Bottled water is recommended even though the water in the main cities is usually chlorinated; be aware that it may lead to mild abdominal problems initially.

Compulsory Vaccinations
A Yellow Fever certificate is required if arriving within 6 days after leaving or transiting countries with infected areas. Exempt: Children under 1 year, those not leaving the airport whilst in transit and those entering Namibia not having left an airport during transit in affected countries.

Recommended Vaccinations
Hepatitis A, Typhoid, Hepatitis B, Diphtheria, Tetanus, Poliomyelitis, Rabies, Tuberculosis & Cholera.

COVID-19
Fully vaccinated travellers are not required to produce a negative PCR test result on arrival.
You must present an authentic valid vaccination card at the point of entry.
If you’re not fully vaccinated, you must show a negative PCR test result, not older than 72 hours calculated from the time the sample was taken, in order to enter Namibia.

Any person who was previously infected with COVID-19 who cannot produce a valid vaccination certificate, and who isolated but is still testing positive, must present a valid de-isolation certificate. The certificate must be no older than 3 months from the date of discharge of isolation and must have been issued by the health authority in the country of departure.

Visas (all subject to change without notice)
All travellers need a valid passport (usually valid for 6 months after your trip), with sufficient pages for entry and exit stamps (usually at least two).

Citizens of all countries not listed below must obtain a visa in advance from the Namibian Embassy, High Commission or Consulate in the country where you reside.
Nationals of the following countries do not need a Namibia visa (up to 90 days):
Angola, Austria, Australia, Belgium, Botswana, Brazil, Cuba, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Ireland, Japan, Kenya, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Russia, Spain, Switzerland, UK, USA, Mozambique, New Zealand, Portugal, Iceland, the Netherlands, Malaysia, Singapore, the Scandinavian countries, South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

Language
The official language of Namibia is English but is only the first language of about 7% of the population. Afrikaans is widely used along with German, Kavango, Herero, Nama and Ovamba.

Religion
The majority of the Namibian population is Christian, while indigenous beliefs and Islam are also followed.

Culture and Customs
Handshaking and extended greetings are an important part of Namibian culture. Although they are generally a friendly nation, public displays of affection between lovers/spouses are frowned upon, more so in the rural areas. Namibia is a country where dance, music and architectural arts have always been integral to the rich local culture.

Photography
Do not photograph government institutions/buildings without checking with your guide. When photographing people ask permission, in some tourist areas it is customary to pay to take photographs.

When to travel
Travellers who plan to visit Windhoek should do so during May and September, when the weather is mostly cool and dry. Heavy rains during the summer months can render the gravel roads leading toward the Namib Desert completely impassable.
If you are travelling to southern Namibia (e.g Luderitz or Sossusvlei) be aware that they do experience extremely hot summers, but the southern coast is fairly pleasant from February to May.
The best time to visit the coast is between October and March as the weather is more temperate than in the sizzling hot interiors.
The Skeleton Coast experiences moderate temperatures with wind, mist and very little rain, throughout the year. Anglers should visit between November and March as this is the best time for fishing. The temperature in Etosha is mild to cool from April to September, especially at night. May to September is the perfect time for game viewing, as animals gather at the water holes during this period. Bird watchers will enjoy summer in Etosha when migratory birds flock to the park’s numerous habitats after the rains.