Namibia

Namibia - Tour Highlights & Travel Tips

Holidays to Namibia is an ideal for adventure seekers. It combines an attractive countryside and great animal-watching activities. This interesting country prides on several national parks inhabited by rich wildlife, magnificent landscapes of the Namib Desert and the largest canyon of Africa. A trip to Namibia also offer splendid vistas and exciting hiking opportunities. In addition, Namibia’s capital of Windhoek combines European architecture (a legacy of German colonial rule) and the charm of Africa.

Namibia - Tour Highlights & Travel Tips

• Take a safari to Etosha National Park to lay eyes on the diverse wildlife of this amazing country. There, you will see elephants, zebras, lions and other animals that gather around waterholes in great numbers.
• Visit the Namib Desert to experience ever-shifting sand dunes. Don’t miss Dead Vlei, a photogenic area with black trees surrounded by high dunes.
• To get acquainted with elephants, lions and black rhinos adapted to the desert conditions, head to Damaraland. Also, visit the Damara Living Museum to learn about the region’s traditional culture.
• Stop by the coastal area of Walvis Bay in November to observe migrations of whales.
• Discover some of the finest examples of African prehistoric art on the guided tour through Namibia’s highest mountain of Brandberg.
• In the south, visit the Fish River Canyon. The southern hemisphere’s largest canyon abounds with impressive cliffs. Zebras, klipspringer antelopes and black eagles inhabit the area.

Namibia - Travel Tips

• Since public transport is inconsistent, rent a car to explore Namibian countryside efficiently.
• Banks in Namibia offer more favorable money exchange rates than exchange offices. Besides Namibia Dollar, you can use South African Rand. ATMs are available in major banks and their subsidiaries.
• Internet access is scarce and expensive (around 4 USD per hour). You should find internet cafes in tourist-oriented towns.
• Take basic precautions in towns to avoid scams.
• If you travel to northern regions of the country or in summer, take a preventive anti-malaria therapy.
• English is the official language in Namibia. German is also widely in use.
• Same sex display of affection is illegal in Namibia.

2. Wildlife & Animals – Namibia

Because of the arid environment, wildlife numbers are relatively low in Namibia, but animals are easy to spot. All of the big predators are present, and cheetah is especially common throughout. Huge herds of animals, elephant in particular, can be seen in the Dry season at Etosha pan.

Damaraland is home to a healthy population of desert-adapted elephant, a smaller population of black rhino can be tracked in a similar environment. The secretive brown hyena is sometimes seen lurking around seal colonies on the coast. Other marine wildlife includes the rare heaviside's dolphin and migrating southern right whale.

Namibia is relatively dry throughout the year, but there are two rainy seasons. The little rains are from November to December and the main rainy season is from January to April. During the rains, vegetation grows throughout the region and wildlife tends to scatter and is harder to find. The end of the Dry season (July-October) is the best time to see animals at the waterholes. This coincides with the busiest tourist season.

3. Best Time to Visit – Namibia

The best time to visit Namibia is in the Dry season from June to October, although it can be visited throughout the year. Wildlife viewing in all parks, but especially in Etosha, is best in the Dry season. The climate is generally dry and pleasant. Between December and March, some days will be humid and rain may follow, often in localized, afternoon thunderstorms. In the Wet season, animals move away from the waterholes and scatter around the park.

May to October – Dry Season – Winter

• Wildlife congregates around rivers and waterholes, making animals easier to spot – it is the best time to visit Etosha
• There are no clouds, it's sunny, and there is virtually no rain
• Even though most tourists visit during the Dry season, the parks still don't feel crowded, except for Etosha
• It gets cold at night and in the mornings – it's advisable to pack warm winter clothing during June, July and August for the cold morning game drives

October to April – Wet Season – Summer

• After the rains, the scenery is greener and the rates are lower, because it's low season
• This is the time of the year you can see newborn animals – migratory birds are present, and birding is at its best
• Rains are mostly short showers in the afternoon and rarely have a negative impact on your trip
• It gets very hot from October to February
• It's more difficult to spot animals – this is especially true for Etosha
• March to May is the peak of the Wet season
• Wildlife viewing in Tarangire, Katavi, Selous and Ruaha is better during the Dry season

4. Getting There – Namibia

There are few direct flights to Namibia, and most people have a stopover in OR Tambo International Airport (JNB) Johannesburg, South Africa. Some of the main airlines flying to Johannesburg have add-on connections. This often includes an overnight in Johannesburg.

Namibia's main airport is Hosea Kutako International Airport (WDH) located 40km/25mi east of Windhoek, the capital. Onward travel is either by small aircraft or car. Because of excellent roads and safety in Namibia, many people choose the self-drive option. In most other cases, we will arrange pick-up from the airport and all further transportation as part of the tour.

Passport, Visa and Other Entry Requirements

• A passport is required for all foreign visitors and has to be valid for at least six months.
• All foreign visitors will need to carry a return or onward ticket.
• Citizens from most countries do not require a visa and will get a 30-day entry permit on arrival.
• Children (under 18 years of age) must have a certified copy of their full, unabridged birth certificate as well as a valid passport to enter Namibia. If a child is traveling with only one parent, or no parents, the child must have an affidavit from the missing parent(s), which gives their consent for the child to travel.