About Namibia

Brief History

Namibia, known for its stark, dramatic and timeless landscapes, is truly a diamond in the rough and one of southern Africa's best kept secrets. Namibia is situated along Africa's most inhospitable coastline to the northwest of the Republic of South Africa. Three times larger than Germany, the total population numbers 1.5 million, thus making Namibia an ideal destination for those looking for wide open spaces. It takes its name from the 130 million year old Namib Desert, which uniquely harbors elephant, rhino, lion and giraffe. One of the earliest human inhabitants of Namibia was San (Bushman), a nomadic people able to adapt to this harsh land. Namibia is a land of contrasts with towering sand dunes, shimmering plains, relentless sunshine, mountains, gorges, valleys and some of Africa's most interesting and varied wildlife and national parks. From the abundant game and bird life to the diverse fish and seal population on the coast, Namibia offers something for everyone. Highlights include some of the highest sand dunes in the world, at Sossusvlei, historical and cultural experiences, a variety of geological formations and ecosystems, and abundant wildlife, adapted in unique ways to the desert climate and conditions. Namibia is home to one of Africa's greatest wild animal sanctuaries, Etosha National Park. In addition, Namibia boasts one of the most stunning nature and game reserves in the world, Namib Naukluft Park. Namibia is like no other country in Africa, offering visitors an intense encounter with nature, the environment and wildlife.

The Basic Facts

Full Name		Republic of Namibia (formerly South West Africa)
Capital		Windhoek
Independence		March 21, 1990
Time		GMT 1 hour (4 Apr - 4 Sept), GMT 2 hour (5 Sept - 3 Apr)
Population		1,648,270 (estimated July 1999)
Area		825,418 km²
Currency		Namibia Dollar (N$)
President		President Sam Nujoma (since March 21, 1990)

Public Holidays

New Year's Day		Jan 1
Good Friday		varies
Easter Sunday		varies
Easter Monday		varies
Independence Day		Mar 21
Ascension Day		varies
Workers' Day		May 1
Cassinga Day		May 4
Africa Day		May 25
Heroe's Day		Aug 26
Human Rights Day		Dec 10
Christmas Day		Dec 25
Family/Boxing Day		Dec 26

Culture & Language

The Namibian nation has a chequered ancestry which can be traced back to many corners of Africa and Europe. Among the rich and diverse ethnic groups are the Ovambo tribe which make up 50% of the population. The Kavangos tribe make up 9%. The Herero, whose women dress in distinctive Victorian style, make up about 7%. The Himba, who are easily identified by their statuesque beauty, intricate hairstyles and ornamental copper necklaces and anklets, are a subgroup of the Herero. The Damara (or Nama) make up 5% of the population. They speak with interesting click sounds. The San (Bushmen) make up about 2% of the population and are the last representatives of the hunter-gatherer tradition. There are also remaining German colonials.

Languages spoken include Ovambo, Damara, Kavango and Herero, although the official language is English, with German and Afrikaans being widely spoken. Guided safaris are usually conducted in English.

Before you go

Visa & Passport

All visitors are required to carry a passport that is valid for six months beyond the intended length of stay. There should be sufficient blank pages for entry stamps upon arrival.

Nationals of the following countries do not require visas for a stay of less than 90 days: All Commonwealth Countries, Austria, Belgium, Botswana, Denmark, Finland, France, German Federal Republic, Greece, Iceland, Republic of Ireland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Western Samoa, San Marino, Sweden, Switzerland, Uruguay, USA and Yugoslavia. This is a guide only - please check with your nearest Namibia Consulate for up to date information.

If you are traveling with another passport, please contact the consulate directly regarding visa requirements. All visitors may be requested to show proof of sufficient funds and onward travel /return ticket.

Embassy of Namibia
1605 New Hampshire Ave NW
Washington DC 20009
202.986.0540
EmbNamibia@aol.com

Note: Before you leave home, we suggest you make photocopies of the information pages in your passport and carry them separately from your passport. We also recommend bringing at least two extra 2"x2" passport photographs. This will facilitate the replacement of your passport and visa(s) in the event your passport is lost or stolen.

Immunizations & Health

Current WHO Report for Namibia

You will find Africa a hospitable and healthy place to visit. However, we do strongly recommend that you consult your physician regarding medications and immunizations that are recommended or mandatory. The World Health Organization compiles a listing of required and recommended immunizations for international travelers. Your health insurance provider may cover some of the costs associated with these immunizations. All vaccinations should be officially recorded and stamped in a yellow international immunization card. This card should be carried with your passport.

Routine Immunizations are: tetanus-diphtheria, poliomyelitis, measles, mumps, rubella, influenza and pneumococcal. Many of these are groups together and some are oral. Additional immunizations to discuss with your doctor are yellow fever, hepatitus A, typhoid, cholera, polio and meningitis.

For your safety, we request all passengers take a course of malaria prophylactics. There are several different possibilities on the market. Please discuss with your doctor which one is best for you.

Please remember, not all immunizations can be taken or obtained on the same day or on the day of departure. Some immunizations must be administered serially over a period of time and some cannot be given together. See your doctor at least 4-6 weeks before your trip to allow time for vaccines to take effect.

*Health concerns throughout the world change regularly. For the latest requirements and recommendations consult your doctor and/or go to the above link for the latest WHO report on Namibia.

It is important that you alert us to any allergies, dietary restrictions and existing medical conditions.

Packing

Africa is very casual. Plan to wear neutral colors because bright colors and white can startle some animals. Remember, there is a lot of dust - khaki seems to be a good solution. The following is a general outline of items to pack:

Documentation

Passport
2 passport photos
Health Certificates
Airline Tickets
Travelers Checks
Spending Money

Proof of insurance

Xerox copy of passport, travelers checks

General

1 bag/backpack - max 30 lbs
1 small day bag
Travel pillow
Travel alarm clock
Luggage lock
Travel umbrella

Field Gear

Camera/film/batteries
Video camera/tapes/batteries
Binoculars (Extremely Important)
African Field Guild
Journal & Pens
Book
Map - Michelin #746 is best
Water Bottle
Flashlight & Batteries
Sunglasses
Wide-brimmed hat, baseball cap and/or bandanas

Clothes

2 pair shorts
2 pair lightweight pants
3 lightweight shirt
1 longsleeved lightweight shirt
1 sweater/fleece
1 warm windproof jacket
Swim Suit
Undergarments & Socks
1 pair all weather sandals
1 pair lightweight walking shoes
1 pair evening shoes for lodges and cities
Men: one nice collared shirt
Women: dress or skirt and blouse. Sports bra for ladies.

Toiletries

General - toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, razor, shampoo, etc.
Sunblock
Insect repellent (containing DEET - 20% is optimal)
Lotion/sun protective lip balm
Small bottle of Woolite or washing detergent for undergarments
Contact lenses/solution/glasses
Hairdryer (requires a converter 220-240 volt AC 50 Hz

First Aid Kit

The basics: bandages, antibiotic ointment, anti-diarrea tablets, antacid tablets, pain reliever, waterproof tape, antiseptic, tweezers, scissors, etc./li>
Allergy pills
Prescription drugs w/original label
Malaria Tablets

Laundry services in Africa are very good and available at nearly all of our safari camps, lodges and hotels. This means that you can travel light and still enjoy clean fresh clothing throughout your journey.

Money & Tipping

Today's Exchange Rate

The unit of currency is the Namibia Dollar (N$), which is divided into 100 cents. This is fixed to the South African Rand. Notes are issued in denominations of N$200, N$100, N$50, N$20 and N$10. Coins are issued as N$5, N$1, 50 cents, 10 cents and 5 cents. The Namibia Dollar and the South African Rand are the only legal tender in Namibia and both can be used freely to purchase goods and services.

We suggest bringing a combination of Traveler's Checks (mainly as a security measure) and US dollars. Have your traveler's checks issued in small denominations ($20s and $50s) as you will receive the entire amount in the foreign currency you exchange for. Getting US dollars in Africa is expensive but having some throughout the trip is necessary. The remainder of your spending money is a combination of credit card purchases and obtaining local currency at ATM machines. The amount of extra money you need to bring will depend on how many optional activities interest you and your shopping habits. $300 cash should be plenty - with at least $50 in small bills for bartering and tipping.

Personal expenditure, meals in major cities, insurance, drinks other than specified, gratuities, airport taxes and visa fees are excluded. We suggest that you allow US$25-35 per day to cover the cost of personal expenses and souvenirs (within reason). There are a number of optional activities available and recommended in Swakopmund.
Note: We strongly recommend keeping your passport, all money, vouchers and international air tickets in a money belt or pouch.

Guide to Tipping on Safari

Although tipping is a safari tradition, it is never compulsory and should only be done if you have received good service. The staff very much appreciates receiving gratuity from you and it is one way of assuring them they are doing a good job. You can tip in US dollars or local currency.

Guests often want to know what is appropriate, so we have prepared a brief guideline to assist you.

Professional Guides and Driver Guides
We recommend, if you are happy with the service, about US$5-10 per person, per day for the guide and about US$3 per person, per day for the driver as a suggested tip.

Lodges and Camps
Here we recommend US$3-5 per client, per day, to be divided among the staff. Most lodges have a staff tip box located at reception or a central location. Tips left here will be divided among the porters and waiters and other lodge staff. If you are particularly satisfied with assistance received from someone, a personal tip is also acceptable.

Voltage & Photography

Bring the photo equipment you are used to working with. A trip like this is not the best place for trying out a new camera. If you spend all of your time learning how to use a piece of equipment, you may not learn how to shoot good images. Bring the instruction manual. Keep in mind that too much equipment can be a hindrance, while leaving behind a piece that could be useful is also a mistake. We suggest bringing an 8" x 5" beanbag to use as a tripod to hold your camera steady when shooting from the vehicle. Bring a combination of lenses that range from 25mm to 300mm.

We suggest an average of 2-3 rolls of film per day of game viewing. Most of your game viewing is in the early morning and mid to late afternoons. For protection from airport X-ray machines, pack all film in lead-lined shield bags. Film and batteries are not available in the African bush. You will find them in the major cities, but they are very expensive.

Digital photography is here. Digital photographers will have to plan for how to save images while in the field. Multiple storage disks are less cumbersome than bringing a laptop to download images to.

Whichever film type you select, the slower ASA films (50-100) generally produce higher quality photos. I would bring a slow film and a faster one (400) for low-light situations. Note: Always ask before photographing the native people. Do not take pictures of military installations, police stations, airports, soldiers, police or border posts - you may have your film confiscated.

Please consult with lodge managers about charging your equipment. Many properties are run on generators that are only turned on at certain times of the day, usually in the early evening and turned off in the late evening at bedtime.

Electricity in Africa is generally at 220 volts AC, therefore, for most 110 appliances you will need both an adapter for the proper plug configuration and a converter for the correct current. Both round and rectangular three pronged plug sockets are in use. Most safari camps do not have individual electrical outlets in the tents.

The Africa factor

Expect the unexpected. Despite our efforts to have every safari run perfectly, things are going to happen that are simply out of our control. We will do what we can to minimize these situations however, things will still occur albeit a canceled flight beyond our control, rogue warthogs wandering in our camp, flat tires, floods, all or none may occur.