Namibia
About
| Very much a desert country, Namibia offers contrasting landscapes. The Namib Desert is a vast expanse of high dunes and desolate plains with an awe-inspiring sense of space. The thorn bush savannah and rugged mountains of the central plateau give way to the majestic Fish River Canyon in the south.
In the north, landscapes range from the dense bush and open plains of the great Etosha Pan, to woodland savannah and lush vegetation. Etosha National Park, the third largest in Africa, owes its unique landscape to the Etosha Pan, a vast shallow depression edged by waterholes to the south which guarantee rewarding game viewing. Waterberg Plateau Park, Namibia`s only mountain game park, has striking red sandstone cliffs, and harbours many rare and endangered animal and plant species. Hiking trails of one to three hours have been mapped out and are well signposted At Sossusvlei, you can climb some of the world`s highest sand dunes. There`s a good campsite nearby at Sesriem Gate, close to the point at which the Tsauchab River disappears down a deep gorge, leaving pools of water where many animals come to drink. The delightful little German-style seaside resort of Swakopmund is surrounded by desert that is great for adrenaline sports such as quad-biking, dune buggy racing and sand-boarding. Windhoek, the capital, is a cosmopolitan city with excellent hotels and restaurants. |
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| Capital: | Windhoek (WDH) |
| Currency: | Namibian Dollar (NAD) (The Namibia Dollar and South African Rand are the only legal tender in Namibia and can be used freely to purchase goods and services.) |
| Language: | English, German, Afrikaans, Bantu and Khoisan |
| Dialling code from SA: | + 264 |
| Time Zones: | UTC/GMT +2 (same time as South Africa). |
| Public Holidays: |
Jan 1; Mar 21; Apr 18, 21; May 1, 4-5, 25-26, 28-29; Aug 26; Dec 10, 25-26 |
| Side of the Road: | Left. South African drivers` licences are recognised in SADC countries (Angola, Botswana, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Swaziland, United Republic of Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe). It is recommended that a letter of verification be obtained from the South African Department of Transport. |
| Best Time to go: | Mar to October (dry season) |
| Best For: | Safari |
| Plugs: | 220 volts AC, 50hz. Outlets are of the round three-pin type. |
| Drinking Water: | Tap water in the major towns is purified and perfectly safe to drink. Outside of the main towns, water should be boiled before use. Hotels and Safari Lodges usually provide drinking water which is safe for consumption. Alternatively, bottled water is available. |
| Health: | Comprehensive health insurance is recommended and it should include emergency air evacuation coverage if travelling outside of Windhoek, as medical facilities are spread out. |
| Customs: | In rural towns, it is best to check with an indigenous guide about local etiquette. In the main towns, western culture prevails but tends to be conservative. |
| Travel Tips / Warnings: | Travellers should carry identification such as photocopies of their passport at all times. If police are seen guarding a building, it is best to check before taking photographs. |
| Duty Free: | The following may be imported into Namibia by persons over 18 years of age without incurring customs duty: • 400 cigarettes and 50 cigars and 250g of tobacco. • 2L of wine and 1L of spirits. • 50ml of perfume and 250ml of eau de toilette. • Gifts to the value of N$1,250. |
| Prohibited Imports: | Prohibited imports include narcotics, automatic weapons, handguns, unnumbered weapons, toxic and poisonous substances. Hunting rifles need a permit issued by customs when entering the country. Special authorisation is required for the import of endangered species. Plants or plant materials require a permit obtained in advance. |
| Prohibited Exports: | Prohibited exports include endangered species, narcotics, stolen property, ivory, rhino horn, and protected cultural artefacts. You must obtain permits in order to export the following: military weapons, ammunition, explosives, firearms, conflict diamonds and minerals, pornography as defined by the export country, and products which violate national intellectual property protection law (eg counterfeit goods) |
Issuing Authorities
Namibian High Commission
197 Blackwood Street, Arcadia, Pretoria
Tel: 012 481 9100
E-mail: secretary@namibia.org.za
Visa information available at: mhaiss.gov.na/immigration-control
Visa Requirements
No visas are required for SA passport holders for stays of up to 90 days.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
- Passport must be valid for 6 months from date of departure from Namibia
- Passport must have at least 3 blank pages
CROSSING BORDER BY CAR
- Hired Car: Remember to obtain relevant paperwork from the rental company
- Copy of registration papers of the car
- If the car is not in the drivers name, a letter of authorisation is required
- If vehicle is still being financed, carry a letter of authority from the bank (must include dates of travel) together with the vehicle license papers.
- ZA sticker
- Passport & Valid Drivers License
- The CBC (cross-border-charge) permit must be in the vehicle at all times while in Namibia. This must be handed in when departing Namibia.
CROSS BORDER CHARGES
- Vehicles: N$445
- Trailers / Caravans: N$283
- Refer to: www.rfanam.com.na for the full list
NAMIBIA/SOUTH AFRICA BORDER POSTS
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KL. Menasse/Rietfontein
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07h30 – 16h30
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+264-63-280 680
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Ariamsvlei/Nakop
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24hrs
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+264-63-280 057
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Velloorsdrift/Onseepkans
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08h00 – 22h00
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+264-63-269 134
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Sendlingsdrif
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07h30 – 16h30
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+264-63-222 114
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Mata Mata
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06h30 – 16h30
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+264-63-252 055
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Noordoewer/Vioolsdrif
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24hrs
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+264-63-297 122
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Oranjemund/Alex Bay
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06h00 – 22h00
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+264-63-232 756
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SA Representative
South African High Commission
Cnr. Jan Jonker & Nelson Mandela Ave., Windhoek
Tel: +26 461 205 7111
E-mail: windhoek.consular@dirco.gov.za
Web: dirco1.azurewebsites.net/windhoek
Travel Health
| Compulsory: | Yellow Fever (Dependant on Country of Origin/Stopover) |
| Recommended: | Hepatitis A & B, Rabies, Typhoid, Tetanus, Polio |
| Malaria Risk |
