Although not as well known as some of its African neighbours, Namibia is a gem for those in search of the wilderness. Namibia is a large, and sparsely populated country on Africa's south-west coast, which has enjoyed more than a decade of stability since achieving Independence in 1990.
Namibia offers contrasting landscapes. The desolate Namib Desert is said to be the oldest in the world. Essentially a desert country, with its high dunes and awe-inspiring sense of space. The central plateau, with its thorn bush savannah and rugged mountains, rising abruptly from
the plains, gives way to the majestic Fish river Canyon in the south. In the north of the country, landscapes range from dense bush and open plains of the great Etosha Pan, to woodland savannah and lush vegetation.
The Etosha national park, the third largest in Africa, owes its unique landscape to the Etosha Pan, a vast shallow depression of approximately 5 000km². The perfect choice for nature lovers and amateur photographers alike.
Namibia Travel Guide
Full Name
Republic of Namibia
Former Name
German Southwest Africa, South-West Africa
Capital City
Windhoek
Government Type
republic
Area Size
At 318,674 mi² (825,418 km²), Namibia is the world's thirty-fourth largest country.
Time Zone
UTC/GMT +1 hour
Climate
The cold Benguela current keeps the coast of the Namib Desert cool, damp and free of rain for most of the year, with a thick coastal fog. Inland, rain falls in summer. Summer temperatures are high while the altitude means that nights are cool. Winter nights can be fairly cold, but days are generally warm and pleasant.
Geography
Namibia is located in southwest Africa. It is a large and mainly arid country sharing borders with Angola to the north, Botswana to the east, South Africa to the south and, in the Caprivi Strip, a narrow panhandle of Namibian territory jutting from the northeast corner of the country, with Zambia and Zimbabwe.
Languages
English 7% (official), Afrikaans common language of most of the population and about 60% of the white population, German 32%, indigenous languages: Oshivambo, Herero, Nama
Culture
Namibia boasts some of the world's oldest rock paintings and engravings, which have been attributed to ancestors of Bushmen. The scenes are naturalistic depictions of animals, people, hunting, battles and social rituals. Local geology determined the usage of colour in the paintings. Some are monochrome pictures in red, but many are multicoloured, using ground-up earth pigments mixed with animal fat to produce 'paints' of red, brown, yellow, blue, violet, grey, black and white. However, there is more to Namibian creativity than just rock paintings. Traditional arts and crafts include basketry, woodcarving, leatherwork, beadwork, pottery, music-making and dancing. More contemporary arts and crafts encompass textile weaving and embroidery, sculptures, print-making and theatre.
History
South Africa occupied the German colony of South-West Africa during World War I and administered it as a mandate until after World War II, when it annexed the territory. In 1966 the Marxist South-West Africa People's Organization (SWAPO) guerrilla group launched a war of independence for the area that was soon named Namibia, but it was not until 1988 that South Africa agreed to end its administration in accordance with a UN peace plan for the entire region. Namibia won its independence in 1990 and has been governed by SWAPO since. Hifikepunye POHAMBA was elected president in November 2004 in a landslide victory replacing Sam NUJOMA who led the country during its first 14 years of self rule.
Travel Information
The national airline is Air Namibia (SW). Windhoek (WDH) (Hosea Kutako International Airport) is 42km (25 miles) from the city (journey time – 30 minutes). Shuttle services carrying two or more passengers at a time go to the city. Private taxis are also available. Facilities consists of Restaurant, bars, snack bar, duty-free shops, post office, bureau de change and car hire. There is a modern deep-water harbour at the Walvis Bay. There is also a small port at Lüderitz. TransNamib StarLine runs a train from Windhoek to Upington, just across the border in South Africa. However, the service is slow and there are no onward trains from Upington to other South African destinations. A tarred road runs from the south through Upington in South Africa to Grünau, where it connects with the tarred road from Cape Town. The Trans-Kalahari Highway links Walvis Bay and Windhoek with Gaborone, Botswana and Gauteng, South Africa. The Trans-Caprivi highway runs through the Caprivi strip and via Botswana into Zimbabwe. Intercape Mainliner runs comfortable overnight services from Windhoek to Cape Town four times a week, as well as services to Johannesburg and Pretoria via Upington. It also runs a service to Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe. The Johannesburg/Pretoria route connects with a direct service to Gaborone, Botswana.
Accommodation
There are good-quality hotels, some with conference facilities, in Windhoek, Swakopmund and thinly scattered throughout the country. Because accommodation is limited and demand in the most popular areas is high, visitors are advised to book well in advance.
Visa Requirements
Nationals from the following countries are not required to obtain Visas to travel to Namibia for visits shorter than three months: Angola, Macau, Australia, Malaysia, Austria, Malawi, Belgium, Mozambique, Botswana, New Zealand, Brazil, Netherlands, Canada, Norway, Cuba, Portugal, Denmark, Russian Federation, Finland, Commonwealth of Independent States of the former USSR, France, South Africa, Germany, Singapore, Hong Kong, Spain, Iceland, Swaziland, Ireland, Sweden, Italy, Switzerland, Japan, Tanzania, Kenya, United Kingdom, Lesotho, USA, Liechtenstein, Zambia, Luxembourg, Zimbabwe Visas are valid up to three months from date of issue for stays of up to three months from date of entry. Extensions for a further three months are available from the Ministry of Home Affairs in Windhoek. Apply at the Consulate or Consular section at High Commission. Application Requirements (a) Valid passport (b) Completed application form (c) Two passport-size photos (d) Return or onward ticket or proof of accommodation (e) Fee For private visit you also need a Letter of invitation from Namibian resident. For Business visa you also need a Company letter or Letter from sponsoring company in Namibia.
Getting Around
Flying is the quickest and often the most economical way to travel around the country. Air Namibia (SW) links Windhoek's Eros Airport to all of the major towns in the territory. A number of local charter companies can arrange flights and tours by light aircraft. With the exception of its two dedicated luxury services, rail travel in Namibia is not geared to tourism – progress is slow, the network is limited and most trains run overnight. The main routes are Windhoek–Keetmanshoop–Upington, South Africa, Walvis Bay–Swakopmund–Tsumeb, Windhoek–Tsumeb and Lüderitz–Keetmanshoop. First- and second-class carriages are available and light refreshments are offered on some services. On overnight voyages, seats in first-class compartments convert to four couchettes and those in second class to six couchettes. Local passenger trains run daily. The luxury Desert Express runs between Swakopmund and Windhoek, a 19-hour 30-minute journey which includes several stops which give travellers the opportunity to watch lions feeding, see the Namib Desert, walk in the sand dunes and admire the stars. A three-course dinner and overnight accommodation are included in the ticket price. The Northern Desert Express is a luxury service to Etosha National Park. Traffic drives on the left. Roads are generally well maintained but away from the main highways surfaces are gravel or dirt, not tarmac. There are 64,799km (40,266 miles) of road, of which 7,841km (4,872 miles) are tarred. Although traffic is very light, people and animals sometimes walk in the road; driving after dark can be particularly dangerous. If travelling along the Caprivi Strip, stay on the tarred road. The Intercape Mainliner luxury coach service runs from Walvis Bay to Livingstone in Zambia and from Windhoek to South Africa via Springbok or Upington, stopping at major towns along the way. Self-drive cars are available at the airport and Windhoek city centre, as well as some other major centres. There is a local bus service in Windhoek, and taxis are available in all Namibian towns.
Health & Safety
A yellow fever certificate is required for all travellers arriving from infected areas. Vaccinations for Hepatitis A, typhoid fever and polio are also recommended. Travellers should ensure their polio vaccination is up to date. There is a malaria risk in the northern region during the rainy season, from January to April. HIV/AIDS is prevalent and cautions are essential. There has been an increase in the incidence of rabies among dogs in Windhoek. There are good medical facilities in Windhoek, but medical insurance is essential as treatment is expensive. Travellers to Namibia should take medical advice at least four weeks prior to departure. The majority of visits to Namibia are trouble-free, but beware of street crime and pickpockets in the town centres. Theft from vehicles, especially from service stations, is common and valuables should be kept out of sight and the car locked. Avoid using taxis if possible and never take one alone. Care should be taken when travelling in the Caprivi Strip; travel in daylight hours only and stay on the main tarred highway, as there is a risk of landmines remaining from the Angolan civil war.
National Holidays
1 Jan - New Year’s Day. 21 Mar - Independence Day. 6-9 Apr - Easter. 1 May - May Day/Labour Day. 4 May - Cassinga Day. 17 May - Ascension. 25 May - Africa Day (Anniversary of the OAU’s Foundation). 26 Aug - Heroes’ Day. 10 Dec - International Human Rights Day. 25 Dec - Christmas Day. 26 Dec - Family/Goodwill Day.
Currency
Namibian Dollar (NAD)
Electricity
220V AC
Working Hours
Business hours are usually 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday. Shopping hours: Mon-Fri 0900-1700, Sat 0900-1300. Some bigger supermarkets are also open Sun 1100-1300 and 1600-1900.
Emergency Numbers
2032276(Ambulance) 2032270(Fire) 1011(Police)
