Overview

Although not as well known as some of its African neighbours, Namibia is a gem for those in search of wildlife and wilderness.

Once governed by Germany and South Africa, Namibia has been independent since 1990. Germanic influence can still be found in the country's well-maintained towns, roads and rest camps. Namibia is peaceful and more prosperous than many nearby countries because of its productive mining, farming, fishing and tourism industries. However, with half the country’s agricultural land owned by a few thousand white farmers, land reform is a burning issue.

Essentially a desert country, Namibia offers contrasting landscapes. The Namib Desert is a vast swathe 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 of the country, 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.

General Information

Location

Southwest Africa.

Time

GMT + 1 (GMT + 2 from the first Sunday in September to the first Sunday in April).

Area

824,292 sq km (318,261 sq miles).

Population

2.04 million (UN estimate 2006).

Population Density

2.5 per sq km.

Capital

Windhoek. Population: 223,364 (2001).

Geography

Namibia is in southwest Africa. It is a large and mainly arid country sharing borders with Angola to the north, Botswana to the east, South Africa to the south and, in the Caprivi Strip, a narrow panhandle of Namibian territory jutting from the northeast corner of the country, with Zambia and Zimbabwe. To the west is 1,280km (795 miles) of some of the most desolate and lonely coastline in the world. Along the entire length of the country, the vast shifting sand dunes of the Namib Desert spread inland for 80 to 130km (50 to 80 miles). In the interior, the escarpment of a north–south plateau slopes away to the east and north into the vast interior sand basin of the Kalahari. In the far northwest, the 66,000 sq km (25,500 sq miles) of the Kaokoland mountains run along the coast, while further inland lies the Etosha Pan (a dried-out saline lake), surrounded by grasslands and bush which support a large and varied wildlife. The Etosha National Park & Game Reserve is one of the finest in Africa, in that it remains, to a large extent, free of human influence.

Government

Republic. Gained independence from South Africa in 1990. 
Recent history: Hifikepunye Pohamba, representing the ruling Swapo party, won a landslide victory in presidential elections in November 2004 and was inaugurated in March 2005. He promised to pursue the land reforms proposed by his predecessor President Nujoma. The country is currently enjoying slow but steady economic growth, with tourism becoming an increasingly significant source of revenue. The government is taking steps to tackle the onslaught of HIV/AIDS and improve educational opportunities for ordinary Namibians.

Head of State

President Hifikepunye Pohamba since 2005.

Head of Government

Prime Minister Nahas Angula since 2005.

Language

English is the official language but is the first language of only 7% of the population. Afrikaans, the lingua franca, is the first language of most of the white population. German, Herero, Kavango, Nama and Ovambo are also spoken.

Religion

Christian (80-90%) and indigenous beliefs (10-20%).

Electricity

220 volts AC, 50hz. Outlets are of the South African three-pin type (two small round pins over one larger round pin).

Social Conventions

In urban areas, western customs prevail; normal courtesies should be shown when visiting someone’s home. In rural settlements, visitors should follow the advice of a local guide.

Passport/Visa

Passports

Passport valid for a minimum of six months after the date of departure from Namibia required by all nationals referred to in the chart above.

Visas

Not required by nationals of countries referred to in the chart above for stays of up to 90 days except the following:
1. nationals of Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Greece, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovak Republic and Slovenia who do require a visa.

Note: Nationals not referred to in the chart above are advised to contact the consulate or high commission for visa requirements (see Contact Addresses).

Validity

Valid up to three months from date of issue for stays of up to three months from date of entry. Extensions for a further three months are available from the Ministry of Home Affairs in Windhoek.

Types of Visa and Cost

Tourist, Business and Transit: £20

Applications to:

Consulate (or consular section at high commission); see Contact Addresses section.

Working Days Required

Three to four.

Currency

The Namibian Dollar (NAD; symbol N$) is in note denominations of N$200, 100, 50, 20 and 10. Coins are in denominations of N$5, N$1, 50 cents, 10 cents and 5 cents. It is linked to the South African Rand (R) on a 1:1 basis (South African Rand = 100 cents). The South African Rand is also acceptable as currency in Namibia.

Currency Exchange

Available in banks and at bureaux de change.

Credit / Debit Cards and ATMs

American Express, Diners Club, MasterCard and Visa are accepted. Credit cards are not usually accepted at petrol stations.

Travellers Cheque Advice

To avoid additional exchange rate charges, take traveller's cheques in US Dollars or South African Rand.

Banking Hours

Mon-Fri 0900-1530, Sat 0900-1100.

Health

It is recommended that you consult your doctor and the Center for Disease Control for the most up-to-date health information.

CDC:

Phone: 1-800-311-3435
Website: http://www.gov/healthservices/immunize

Vaccinations

1
A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required from travellers arriving from infected areas. Those countries or parts of countries that are included in the endemic zones in Africa and South America are regarded by the Namibian authorities as infected. Travellers on scheduled airlines whose flights have originated outside areas regarded as infected but have passed through such areas in transit are not required to possess a certificate, provided they have remained at the scheduled airport or in the adjacent town during transit. All passengers with unscheduled airlines whose flights originated or passed in transit through an infected area are required to possess a certificate. The certificate is not insisted upon in the case of children under one year of age, but such infants may be subject to surveillance.

2
Typhoid may occur. Travellers should ensure their polio vaccinations are up to date.

3
Malaria risk exists in Oshana, Oshikoto, Omusati, Ohangwenga, Otjozondjupa and Omaheke from November to June and along the Kunene river and in Kavango and Caprivi regions throughout the year. The predominant falciparum strain is reported to be resistant to chloroquine. The recommended prophylaxis is either mefloquine, doxycycline or atovaquone/proguanil.

Food and Drink

Mains water is normally chlorinated and, whilst safe, may cause mild abdominal upsets. Bottled water is available and is advised for the first few weeks of the stay. Drinking water outside main cities and towns may be contaminated and sterilisation is advisable. Milk is pasteurised and dairy products are safe for consumption. Local meat, poultry, seafood, fruit and vegetables are generally considered safe to eat.

Other Risks

Bilharzia (schistosomiasis) is endemic. Avoid swimming and paddling in fresh water (also because of the presence of crocodiles); swimming pools which are well chlorinated and well maintained are safe. Natural foci of plague have been reported in Namibia. Hepatitis A can occur. Hepatitis B is hyperendemic. An increase in rabies amongst dogs in Windhoek was reported in late 2005 and early 2006.

Healthcare

Health insurance is essential. It is advisable to consult your doctor well in advance of travelling about immunisations and assembling a first aid kit.

Getting There

Getting There by Air

The national airline is Air Namibia (SW)

Flight Times

From London to Windhoek direct is 10 hours 15 minutes.

Main Airports

Windhoek (WDH) (Hosea Kutako International Airport) is 42km (25 miles) from the city (journey time – 30 minutes). To/from the airport: Shuttle services carrying two or more passengers at a time go to the city. Private taxis are also available. Facilities: Restaurant, bars, snack bar, duty-free shops, post office, bureau de change and car hire.

Departure Tax

None.

Getting There by Road

A tarred road runs from the south through Upington in South Africa to Grünau, where it connects with the tarred road from Cape Town. The Trans-Kalahari Highway links Walvis Bay and Windhoek with Gaborone, Botswana and Gauteng, South Africa. The Trans-Caprivi highway runs through the Caprivi strip and via Botswana into Zimbabwe.

Bus: Intercape Mainliner (tel: (061) 227 847; website: www.intercape.co.za) runs comfortable overnight services from Windhoek to Cape Town four times a week, as well as services to Johannesburg and Pretoria via Upington. It also runs a service to Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe (close to the border with Zambia). The Johannesburg/Pretoria route connects with a direct service to Gaborone, Botswana.

Communications

Telephone

Country code: 264.

Mobile Telephone

Roaming agreements exist with most international mobile phone operators. Coverage is limited to urban areas.

Internet

There are Internet cafes in Walvis Bay, Swakopmund and Windhoek.

Post

Good postal service. Airmail to Europe takes approximately four days to two weeks. Post office hours: Mon-Fri 0800-1600, Sat 0830-1200.

Media

Press freedom is provided for by the constitution and largely respected by the government. Opposition views are broadcast.

Press

Newspapers are printed Monday to Friday. English-language dailies include The Namibian; weeklies include the Windhoek Observer. Die Republikein is a daily Afrikaans-language newspaper. Allgemeine Zeitung is published daily in German.

Climate

The cold Benguela current keeps the coast of the Namib Desert cool, damp and free of rain for most of the year, with a thick coastal fog. Inland, all the rain falls in summer (November to April). January and February are the hottest months, when daytime temperatures in the interior can exceed 40ºC (104ºF), but nights are usually cool. Winter nights can be fairly cold, but days are generally warm and pleasant.

Required Clothing

Light cottons, with slightly heavier cottons or light woollens for evening. Inland, shoes are essential during the day as the ground is very hot.

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