Travel Information for Namibia

What to Wear

When travelling to foreign destinations it is always respectful to dress modestly and we suggest the emphasis is on comfortable clothing. It is often very warm during the day, but it can get very cold, especially in the early mornings and evenings.

For game drives we suggest wearing layered clothing that can be removed as the day heats up. Blankets and hot water bottles are often provided by the lodges for those chilly early morning game drives. Neutral coloured clothing is recommended for game drives, along with good walking shoes for bush walks. Most hotels and lodges have laundry services, so an excessive amount of clothing should be unnecessary. Please note that some hotels and lodges hand wash clothing.

Luggage

Luggage limits in Namibia depend on the type of safari that you are doing. For fly-in safaris there is a luggage limit of 15Kg is soft bags so that they can be packed into the undercarriage compartment of the plane. This is due to the fact that light aircraft are used for these trips. On a self-drive safari you will have your own vehicle, but we will still recommend keeping your luggage to a minimal. If you have any internal flights with Air Namibia then there is a weight limit of 20Kg per person.
 
Hand luggage is limited to 7Kg per person flying economy class with Air Namibia and 5Kg per person for fly-in safaris.

Getting There & Away

If Natural World Safaris has arranged your international flights you will be sent your flight itinerary separately. Please note that once your flights have been booked these will be subject to their respective terms and conditions. If you haven’t booked your flights with Natural World Safaris clients will need to make their own arrangements to arrive and leave in accordance with their itinerary. We can arrange these flights for you if needed, please ask for further details.

Welcome Service

Upon arrival at your destination, you will be met by our local representative. They will hold a ‘welcome card’ with your name on it. We have provided local contact details in the accompanying information but if you have any problems please call our 24-hour UK telephone number on +44 (0)7887 637 628. 

Hotels & Lodges

Namibia has plenty of accommodation to choose from ranging from camping up to luxury 5 Star lodges and hotels situated in most areas of Namibia. These lodges and hotels vary from small privately owned guesthouses and lodges to company owned chain hotels and lodges. Accommodation in Namibia is of a high standard on a par with Western countries. Electricity is available in most areas of Namibia, although some of the more remote lodges may be run from generators. We do however always attempt to use environmentally friendly lodges who are committed to helping the local communities. 

Laundry

Most hotels and lodges are able to offer laundry facilities but please note that the cost is not always included. Check with reception for current prices. Due to natural drying and variable climatic conditions your clothing might not always come back ‘bone dry’. Most lodges won’t wash underwear but will happily provide washing powder to use in your room. 

Food & Water

Food varies from destination to destination. Please bear in mind that we try to use lodges/camps that use local produce which supports the local communities. Do not be afraid to try local produce as it is part of the experience!

Generally the tap water in Namibia is safe to drink, but please speak to the lodge/hotel just to confirm this, although we strongly recommend drinking bottled water throughout your safari to avoid any problems.

Communications

Mobile or cell phone coverage is good in most parts of Namibia. You may battle slightly in some of the more remote areas, but generally if you move around a bit you will find network coverage.

We are not able to provide contact details for individual hotels, lodges or camps, as many do not have the facilities to handle guest calls/communications. We will provide contact details for our ground agents, please see accompanying information. 

Local Time

Namibia is one hour (+1) ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT). 

Daylight Hours

Namibia is blessed with between 9 and 11 hours of sunshine per day. Sunrise and sunset times are dependent on the time of the year.

Electricity

Namibia’s electricity supply is 220/230 volts AC 50 Hz and is generally available throughout the country, although some lodges may be on generator/solar power. Some lodges may only have power supplies in the communal areas, but please speak to the reception about charging camera batteries. We advise visitors to take multi-adaptors to cope with plug sockets that are 3 round pins.

Local Currency

The local currency in Namibia is the Namibian Dollar (N$) which is divided into 100 cents which is linked to the South African Rand (ZAR). You will be able to use your debit/credit card at most lodges/hotels/shops/petrol stations/restaurants although we always recommend having Namibian Dollars (N$) in cash. Notes come in N$200, N$100, N$50, N$20 and N$10 and coins are N$5, N$1, 50c, 10c and 5c. It is also possible to use South African Rands in Namibia.

Spending Money

Spending money for your Namibian safari will depend on what type of holiday you are doing. On a self-drive holiday you will need to pay for petrol as well as entrance fees to parks and sights, most meals, all drinks and any other car hire expenses you may incur. Whilst on safari, usually all meals and activities are included and some lodges offer local drinks in their price, so please check with your confirmed itinerary. The only costs you would need to pay for would be for buying souvenirs and tips for your guides and lodge staff.

You may wish to take extra funds to make contributions or donations to organisations that we encourage clients to visit. Donations and contributions are entirely voluntary. 

Foreign Exchange

There are money changing facilities at most banks throughout Namibia who will change US Dollars, British Pounds, South African Rand and Euros fairly easily. Credit and debit cards are widely accepted throughout Namibia, although it is always advisable to travel with some Namibian Dollars in cash. It is more difficult to change money in some of the more remote locations, so please make sure you have changed enough cash.

Never keep all of your cash in the same place, keep it in different pockets and split it up between different bags.

Credit Cards

Credit and Debit cards are widely accepted throughout Namibian restaurants, shops, hotels, lodges and petrol stations, although please carry cash (in Namibian Dollars or South African Rand) with you for smaller purchases.

Departure Tax

At time of writing there is no departure tax for Namibia.

Visas

Most nationalities and tourists entering Namibia have a hassle free border experience. A valid passport with one blank page and 6 months validity is required by ALL nationals entering Namibia. Most citizens will get a 90 Day entry visa on arrival, but please check with the Namibian consulate in your country of residence.

Please note: obtaining the correct entry visas are your responsibility. 

Embassy Contact Details

In the UK the Namibian consulate is located at 6 Chandos Street, London, W1G 9LU.

Tel: 020 7636 6244

http://www.namibiahc.org.uk/

In the USA the Namibian consulate is located at 1605 New Hampshire Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20009.

Tel: (202) 986 0540

http://www.namibiaembassyusa.org/page/consular-services

Safety

All of our local operators conform to local safety regulations. If you at any time feel that this is not the case please do not hesitate to contact us.

Know Before You Go is an ongoing campaign from the Foreign & Commonwealth Office to help Brits stay safe abroad, however in our opinion it has useful information for all nationalities. The campaign was launched in 2001 to promote these key messages:

Get adequate travel insurance
Check the FCO’s country travel advise
Visit your GP as soon as possible before travelling
Check your passport is in good condition and valid and you have all necessary visas
Make copies of important documents and/or store them online using a secure data storage site.
Tell someone where you are going and leave emergency contact details with them
Take enough money and have access to emergency funds.

We suggest that you go to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office website to get up to date information on your specific destination and important travel tips before you travel.

Go to: https://travelaware.campaign.gov.uk/ for relevant and important travel tips to plan your trip abroad.

Security

Namibia is generally a very safe country for tourists to travel in and incidents are extremely rare, but common sense precautions need to be taken as with any destination abroad. We would recommend taking taxis when travelling at night and not flashing expensive photographic equipment and jewellery around. Some lodges are located where wildlife roam free, sometimes into camp, so please DO NOT approach wild animals on foot, unless you are accompanied by an experienced guide.

For latest travel advice please contact us at our UK office, or alternatively use the Foreign and Commonwealth Office website.

Health & Medical

Always seek medical advice before travelling; please consult your GP or Doctor who will be able to advise you on required vaccinations and anti-malarial prophylaxis. 

In the UK we recommended visiting the ‘Fit for Travel’ website.

In the USA, we suggest consulting CDC (Centres for Disease Control and Prevention) - http://www.cdc.gov/

Please bring any personal medication required. Anti-malaria tablets and mosquito repellents are essential.

The medical facilities in Namibia are of a high standard, but are limited to the larger towns and cities. Facilities in the more remote areas are basic, so please make sure you have adequate travel insurance and evacuation cover. 

Insurance

It is a condition of booking that all clients must have, and must demonstrate to the company prior to their departure, adequate insurance for the duration of the tour.

Proof of the following items of insurance is required on booking; cancellation or curtailment of your trip, medical expenses, repatriation, loss of luggage, personal injury, adventure activities such as white-water rafting, tracking wild animals, theft of personal belongings.

Please report any theft, trip disruption immediately to your guide during your trip and also in writing to Natural World Safaris immediately on return to your home country. 

Smoking

There is a smoking ban in Namibia that prohibits smoking in all public places, offices and public service vehicles. We strongly discourage smoking in the National Parks. Namibia is a very dry country and so PLEASE never throw a lit cigarette into the bush as this could cause a devastating bush fire. 

Getting Around

The infrastructure in Namibia is comparable to any first world country with a good network of paved and graded roads. Fly-in safaris are done in light aircraft between lodges, dependant on your itinerary and so travel times will vary day on day. Namibia is a great country for a self-drive holiday where we would include car hire costs. Travel times in Namibia depends on the route and also what you want to see and visit, but generally the distances between the 2 locations per day is quite small giving you enough time to enjoy the sights.

Weather

Namibia is a year round destination with cool temperatures and very little rainfall throughout the year. Daytime temperatures are warm to hot, but night time temperatures can drop below freezing in winter. January and February are the hottest months when temperatures can reach into the 40s. The main rainfall occurs in the summer months between November and April Namibia is in the southern hemisphere and so winters are from June to August, autumn is from March to May, spring runs from September to November and summer is from December to February. 

Photography

Please refrain from photography of military personnel, military installations and airports. Always ask for permission when taking photos of local people or alternatively ask your guide for advice. Please bring extra batteries as it may not always be possible to re-charge them at the lodges. In addition it might be useful to bring a car charger (cigarette lighter variety).  For photographing wildlife a zoom lens of 300mm or more is highly recommended. 

Prices

Namibia is generally a cheap country to travel in compared to Europe, the Americas and other areas in Africa. Most of our safaris to Namibia are done on a self-drive basis and so petrol/diesel will need to be paid for locally as will some meals and drinks. Petrol is roughly £0,70 a litre and meal costs vary considerably depending on the area, the restaurant and the meal. Generally, outside of the safari areas you will need to pay for activities, entrance to the sites and any other expenses you incur.

Prices exclude all items of a personal nature: entry visas, international flights, tips, telephone calls, drinks (unless otherwise stated), laundry and airport taxes.

These are just rough guidelines and some may differ depending on the itinerary chosen.

Tips & Gratuities

During your time in Namibia, tipping is entirely at your discretion. There is no obligation to pay a tip to your drivers, hotel staff or your guides. However, should you wish to tip, the following may be used as a guideline:

Waiter/Bar Tender 10-15% of the bill (if it is not added on already) 
Petrol or Parking Attendant N$2 - N$5 
Tour Leader/Guide/Driver N$40 per person per day 
Porters N$3 per item 

Charitable Giving & Community Projects

We recommend as part of our responsible travel policy that you do not give money or gifts directly to local people. We have links with local projects/schools that would appreciate your support. Please ask your guide for further details. If you would like to contribute to these donations of clothing, pens and pencils are greatly appreciated.

Consumer Protection

When you buy an ATOL protected flight or flight inclusive holiday from us you will receive an ATOL Certificate. This lists the flight, accommodation, car hire and/or other services that are financially protected, where you can get information on what this means for you and who to contact if things go wrong. Company Name: Natural World Safaris Ltd. ATOL Number 9826. For more information please visit their website: https://www.caa.co.uk/atol-protection/

As a member of the Association of Bonded Travel Organisers Trust Limited (ABTOT), Natural World Safaris Ltd has provided a bond to meet the requirements of the Package Travel, Package Holidays and Package Tours Regulations 1992.

In the event of insolvency, protection is provided for non-flight packages commencing in and returning to the UK and other non-flight packages excluding pre arranged travel to and from your destination. Please note that packages booked outside the UK are only protected when purchased directly with Natural World Safaris Ltd.

In the above circumstances, if you have not yet travelled you may claim a refund, or if you have already travelled, you may claim repatriation to the starting point of your non-flight package.

The ABTOT number is 5127.