Namibia General Information

NAMIBIA GENERAL INFORMATION

AIRPORT

WindhoekInternationalAirport caters primarily for international air traffic. Please ensure Passports are valid forat least six months after date of entry.

BANKS

Foreign currencies or travellers cheques may be exchanged at any bank in Namibia.

BORDER POSTS

Between Namibia and South Africa:- Noordoewer, Oranjemund, Ariamsvlei, Velloorsdrift, Hohlweg and Klein Menasse.

CELLPHONES

Coverage is limited to major towns only.

CURRENCY

SA Rand and Namibian Dollars are the best currencies. Master Card, Visa, Diners Club and American Express Credit Cards are generally accepted however, many vendors in rural areas and smaller towns may only accept cash. Please note No Credit cards are accepted at petrol filling stations. If any significant purchases are to be made in Namibia, keep sales slips. GST is exempt on certain purchases by foreigners, ensure you notify place of purchase.

MALARIA

Mainly occurs during the months December to May in the northern half of Namibia (north of Windhoek) and it is strictly advised that travellers have not only the necessary medication / prophylaxis (Chloroquine and Proquanil are recommended) but also carry a recognised lotion and / or skinspray. Also long-sleeved shirts and long trousers should be worn after sunset.

Please also be aware of the dangers of bathing in the rivers. Most of the rivers carry the bilharzia pathogene.

PERMITS (National Parks)

Permits are required when travelling to National Parks or Game Reserves. Please note pre-booked accommodation includes permit.

SAFETY

In order to make your visit a happy and memorable one, always keep your vehicle locked, do not leave visible articles in the car and try to leave your vehicle in a secure area.

When sight-seeing carry only the bare necessities, leave passports, plane tickets, extra cash / travellers cheques, etc in a safety deposit at your hotel. It is always advisable to take out travellers’ medical insurance.

TIME

Summer period is two hours ahead of GMT (first Sunday of September up to first Sunday of April the following year)

Winter period is one hour ahead of GMT (first Sunday of April up to the first Sunday of September the same year)

WATER

is a scarce commodity in Namibia, please use it sparingly.

All tap water is drinkable in Namibia, unless advised otherwise at particular locations. When travelling ensure that you have adequate drinking water.

CLIMATE

Namibia has a dry climate typical of a semi-desert country where droughts are a regular occurrence. Days are mostly warm to very hot, while nights are generally cool. Average day temperatures in the summer vary from 20°C to 34°C and average night temperatures in the winter from 0°C to 10°C. Temperatures in the interior are lower because of the altitude, while along the coast the cold Benguela Current has a modifying influence. The Benguela is the prime determinant of the climate of the Namib, as it reduces rainfall and causes the omnipresent fog typical of the coast.

Rain in Namibia usually falls in the summer, with a short rainy season in November and the main rainy season from February to March. Average rainfall figures vary from less than 50 mm along the coast to 350 mm in the central and 700 mm in the far north-eastern regions. However, because of the high variability of rainfall, especially in the arid regions, the ‘annual average’ does not necessarily give a true picture. An average rainfall of 200 mm per year, for example, indicates showers of anything between 80 mm and 280 mm.

SUGGESTED CLOTHING & PERSONAL ITEM LIST

1]Sun Hat

2]Good quality pair of sunglasses

3]Comfortable T-shirts and two long-sleeved shirts

4]Shorts / skirts

5]Long trousers / slacks

6]Tracksuit

7]Comfortable walking shoes and good quality socks

8]Swimming costume

9]Sweater / anorak or parka for cold evenings

10]Light raincoat for summer rains (November – April)

11]Binoculars, camera and film

12]Basic Medical Kit to include:

• Malaria prophylactics

• Anti-histamine cream

• Asprins

• Elastoplast

• Antiseptic cream or powder

• Moisturising / suntan lotion

• Insect repellent

The above list is a suggestion only but can give some idea of what would be needed.