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ENTRY TO NAMIBIA: Do I need a visa to enter Namibia: Nationals from the countries listed below are not required to obtain Visas to travel to Namibia on holiday for visits shorter than three months:
Angola, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Belgium, Botswana, Brazil, Canada, Congo Brazzaville (only Diplomatic/ Official and service Passports), Cuba, Denmark, France, Finland, Germany, Hong Kong, Ireland, Iceland, India (Diplomatic and Official Passports up to 3 months), Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, Lesotho, Luxemburg, Lichtenstein, Macau (SAR), Malawi, Malaysia, Mauritius, Moldova, Mozambique, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nigeria (Only Diplomatic and Official Passports), Norway, Portugal, Poland (diplomatic and official passports up to 3 months), Russian Federation, Seychelles, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Turkey (only diplomatic and official passports), Turkmenistan, Ukraine, United Kingdom, , United States of America, Ghana (only diplomatic/ official and service passports), Uzbekistan, Venezuela (Only Diplomatic/Official passports, Zambia, Zimbabwe.
Please note: It is the clients’ responsibility to ensure that passports, visas or other travel documents are valid for the duration of their stay in Namibia and other areas included in the tours. The company will entertain no complaints related to invalid travel documentation. Suppose a client does not possess the necessary documentation to enter an area or country on tour. In that case, the company reserves the right to request the client to disembark from the tour at the point of entry to such regions or countries. Should such a case ensue, the company will not be liable for providing further travel arrangements. Please check the visa cost for entering Zimbabwe if you are travelling on our 9-day Delta and Vic Falls trip. This will be paid at the border crossing and will require US$. If you have a passport that requires you to obtain a visa to enter Botswana, please ensure this is a multiple-entry visa because this trip will enter Botswana more than once.
It’s compulsory for people travelling on our safaris, and we place the onus on our clients to ensure they are adequately insured. It is also important to realise that should you need to make a claim on your policy (for medical expenses, for example), it is most likely that you will personally have to pay any bills upfront at the time the service is provided. You will have to claim against your insurance company when you get home. With this in mind, we recommend to all our clients that they have enough funds to cover any unexpected costs. Usually, the best way to do this is to carry a credit card with a sufficient credit limit.
Just so you know, if you are travelling with children, Namibia requires you to show the full unabridged birth certificate for each child accompanying you.
Flights to Namibia: leading international airlines to fly into Johannesburg from where there are connecting flights into Windhoek. Airlines that fly directly into Windhoek are our National carrier, Air Namibia, and Ethiopian Airways.
Currency
The currency of Namibia is The Namibian Dollar (NAD; symbol N$) is in note denominations of N$200, 100, 50, 20 and 10. Coins are in denominations of N$5, N$1, 50 cents, 10 cents and 5 cents. It is linked to the South African Rand (R) on a 1:1 basis (South African Rand = 100 cents). The South African Rand is also acceptable as currency in Namibia.
The import and export of local currency are limited to N$50,000. The import of foreign currency is unlimited, provided sums equal to or exceeding NAD5,000 are declared on arrival. Export of foreign currency is unlimited up to the amount imported and declared.
Banking
Banking hours: Monday – Friday 09h00 to 15h30 and Saturday 08h30 to 11h00
Banks are found in most towns; most are closed on Sundays and public holidays. Most offer foreign exchange services – cash, bank and credit cards, and travellers’ cheques.
American Express, Diners Club, Mastercard and Visa are accepted. Credit cards are not usually accepted at petrol stations, so please keep this in mind when you visit the ATM. Setting aside an emergency petrol cash fund is a good idea if you’re planning to drive.
You can also obtain cash from many of the ATMs. Several international banks have branches in main city centres. Always advise your bank that you are travelling outside the country, as they might block your purchases if they have not been informed.
To avoid additional exchange rate charges, take traveller’s cheques in US Dollars or South African Rand. You can expect a better exchange rate for traveller’s cheques than cash.
Public transport in Namibia is geared towards the needs of the local populace and is confined to main roads between major population centres. Although cheap and reliable, it is of little use to the traveller as most of Namibia’s tourist attractions lie off the beaten track.
It is easy to travel around Namibia by car, and a 2WD vehicle is adequate for most journeys. However, long distances, poor mobile phone coverage outside of main towns and infrequent petrol stations that only accept cash mean that planning ahead is vital.
There are major airlines that fly into Windhoek and Swakopmund. Other destinations are reachable by car or charter flight.
Namibians drive on the left, and all signposts are in English. Seat belts must be worn, and talking on a mobile phone while driving is prohibited. The general speed limit is 120km/h on tarred roads outside of towns and 100km/h on gravel roads. In built-up areas, the speed limit is 60km/h.
Do I need malaria tablets in Namibia? Namibia is a low-risk malarial destination, but we recommend that you seek professional medical advice to enable you to make decisions on personal malaria protection.
Generally, Northern Namibia, including Etosha National Park, is considered a higher Malaria risk than the Southern Parts of Namibia. Malaria risk is also higher during the rainy months from December to May.
It would help if you used an effective insect repellent on clothing and exposed skin. Diethyltoluamide (DEET) is safe, and the most effective insect repellent and can be sprayed onto clothes. Local Names in Namibia include Peaceful Sleep and Bug Off.
If you sleep outdoors or in an unscreened room, you should use mosquito nets impregnated with insecticides (such as pyrethroid). The net should be long enough to fall to the floor around your bed and be tucked under the mattress.
If practical, you should try to cover up bare areas with long-sleeved, loose-fitting clothing, long trousers and socks – if you are outside after sunset – to reduce the risk of mosquitoes biting.
Health requirements: yellow fever inoculation is a requirement only if the journey to Namibia entails passing through a yellow fever area of Africa by any other means than by scheduled air service.
Traditional Namibian cuisine is rarely served, so the food at restaurants tends to be European in style and generally of a very high standard.
Namibia is very meat-orientated, and many menu options will feature steaks from various animals. However, most camps and restaurants usually offer a vegetarian and seafood section.
In the supermarkets, you’ll find pre-wrapped fresh fruit and vegetables (though the more remote the areas you visit, the smaller your choice) and plenty of canned foods, pasta, rice, bread, etc. Most of this is imported from South Africa.
The water in Namibia’s main towns is generally safe to drink, though it may taste a little metallic if it has been piped for miles. Natural sources should usually be purified, though water from underground springs and dry riverbeds seldom causes problems. However, filtered and bottled water is readily available in most towns, camps, lodges and hotels.
Namibians have a somewhat relaxed attitude to dress codes. A jacket and tie are very unusual. Long trousers and a shirt with buttons are often adequate for a formal occasion or work wear. A pair of sensible shoes, jeans and a t-shirt are recommended.
During the day, it is generally hot, so pack lightweight, loose-fitting clothes in natural fabrics, such as linen or cotton, that will keep you cool and are easy to wash and dry.
Electrical sockets in Namibia are Type M (SABS-1661). If your appliance’s plug doesn’t match the shape of these sockets, you will need a travel plug adapter in order to plug in. Travel plug adapters simply change the shape of your appliance’s plug to match whatever type of socket you need to plug into. If it’s crucial to be able to plug in no matter what, bring an adapter for all types.
Electrical sockets in Namibia usually supply electricity at 230 volts AC / 50 Hz frequency. If you’re plugging in an appliance that was built for 230-volt electrical input, or an appliance that is compatible with multiple voltages, then an adapter is all you need. If your appliance isn’t compatible with 230 volts, a voltage converter will be necessary.
The amount and type of animals you are likely to see will greatly depend on the region you visit. Etosha National Park is home to 4 of the Big 5, which include the Lion, Leopard, Rhino and Elephant. Buffalo is the only one of the Big 5 that is not present in the Etosha National Park. Etosha is home to 144 Mammal species, including Zebra, Springbok, Oryx, Kudu, Eland, Impalas, White and Black Rhino, Giraffes, Damara Dik Dik, Steenbok, Brown Hyenas, Cheetah, Leopard and Jackals to name just a few. Birdlife in Etosha is also very prolific, with a wide variety of endemic and migratory birds.
In the rest of Namibia, you are likely to spot some Oryx, Ostriches, Kudus, baboons, and warthogs. And in the Caprivi and Okavango Regions, you can see crocodiles, hippos, roan and sable antelope and buffalo.
Along the coast of Namibia, you may see heavy-side dolphins, the cape fur seals, and rich marine birdlife.
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