General

Namibia is a country of compelling beauty, abundant sunshine, and a feeling of unconfined space. With its unspoilt landscapes and large variety of game, Namibia is one of the larger countries in Africa, and draws an increasing number of visitors from various parts of the globe.

A sense of freedom is generated by the wide horizons, the clear unpolluted skies and a population density which is among the lowest in the world. This feeling of tranquillity and stillness combines with a landscape which is singular in it’s colours, full of contrasts of light and shade. In addition, the diversity of it’s people creates a rich blend of cultures and traditions. The population is composed of several different ethnic groups, including the San, the Khoi-Khoi, the Herero, and the Ovambo as well as the small European population, largely Germans and Afrikaners.

Namibia is the first country in the world to include protection of the environment and sustainable utilisation of wildlife in its constitution. About 15,5% of the country has been set aside as National Parks. In these areas, rare and endangered species of animals, birds and plant life are preserved and protected. Most of the African game species are well represented in Namibia, with the largest concentration in the Etosha National Park.

Wilderness and modern amenities co-exist happily in this land of vivid contrasts.

Practical Information

Money:

The Namibian dollar (N$) equals 100 cents, and in Namibia it’s pegged to the South African rand, which is also legal tender in Namibia, at a rate of 1:1. This can be confusing, given that there are three sets of coins and notes in use, all with different sizes: old South African, new South African and Namibian. Namibian dollar notes come in denominations of N$10, N$20, N$50, N$100 and N$200, and coins in values of 5, 10, 20 and 50 cents, and N$1 and N$5.

Visas:

No visas are required for visitors from Australia, New Zealand, France, Germany, The Netherlands, UK, Ireland, Canada or the USA. Travellers receive entry for an initial 90 days (free).

When to go

Namibia’s climatic variations correspond roughly to its geographical subdivisions. In the arid central Namib Desert, summer daytime temperatures may climb to over 40°C, but can fall to below freezing during the night. Rainfall is heaviest in the northeast, which enjoys a subtropical climate, and reaches over 600mm annually along the Okavango River. The northern and interior regions experience ‘little rains’ between October and December, while the main stormy period occurs from January to April.