Namibia Africa

Land of boundless opportunity
Remarkable landscapes and abundant wildlife

Travel to Namibia

If you are planning a holiday to Namibia, you might like to learn a few interesting facts about the country. Located in southwestern Africa, Namibia boasts a well-developed infrastructure, some of the best tourist facilities in Africa, and an impressive list of breathtaking natural wonders. Namibia, covering a surface of 824,000 square kilometers, is about three times the size of the United Kingdom. It has a population of 2,5 million people, which is a mix of many ethnic groups: today, at least twelve different tribes live in the country. Its landscape is versatile and marked by several characteristic regions. A vast coastal desert, the Namib, stretches from north to south over a length of 1,500 kilometers. It is the oldest desert in the world, and its harsh conditions once were the reason that Namibia’s inlands remained undiscovered by explorers.

What does Namibia have to offer?

Visitors can explore the capital of Windhoek and discover the lovely coastal town of Swakopmund boasting remnants of the country’s German influence, reflected in the architecture, culture and cuisine. To properly appreciate this extraordinary country, you will have to venture out of the cities to explore the remarkable natural landscapes: the impressive Fish River Canyon; the vast Etosha National Park teeming with abundant wildlife, such as lions, desert-adapted elephants and the Hartmann's Mountain Zebra; the hauntingly beautiful Kalahari Desert; and the Namib Desert stretching along the Atlantic Coast. Namibia is an ideal destination for travellers seeking an unforgettable African experience in a beautiful untamed wilderness that will make your dreams come true and where you can rely on Makasa to guide you.

Namibia Africa

Area: 824,292 km²
Population: about 2,5 million inhabitants
Capital: Windhoek
Religion: Christian
Language: English (and German)
Currency: Namibian Dollar (N$)

Facts and figures

Time zone: Namibia Standard Time is 2 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT+2) and is in the Central Africa Time zone
Average temperature: between 20 and 30 degrees Celsius
Namibia is home to the world’s oldest desert
It is also home to the second largest canyon in the world
The Skeleton Coast is the world’s biggest grave site for sailors and ships

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Namibia's climate

Partially covered by the Namib Desert, one of the world's driest deserts, Namibia's climate is generally very dry and pleasant – it's fine to visit all year round. Namibia only receives a fraction of the rain experienced by countries further east. Between December to March some days will be humid and rain may follow, often in localised, afternoon thunderstorms. April and especially May are often lovely months in Namibia. Increasingly dry, with a real freshness in the air, and much greenery in the landscape. From June to August Namibia cools down and dries out more; nights can become cold, dropping below freezing in some desert areas. By September and October it warms up again; game-viewing is at its best, although there's often a lot of dust around and the vegetation has lost its vibrancy. November is a highly variable month. Sometimes hot, dry weather, at other times the sky will fill with clouds and rain – but if you're lucky enough to witness the first rains of the season, you'll never forget the drama.

How to dress in Namibia

During the day it is generally hot, so pack light weight loose fitting clothes in natural fabrics, such linen or cotton, that will keep you cool and are easy to wash and dry. A warmer sweater or jacket for the early mornings and evenings will be good. Long sleeved shirts and long trousers will protect your against mosquitoes at night.

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The people of Namibia

Namibia has a population of 2,5 million people (2017 census), and is Africa’s least dense populated country. The population is a mix of many ethnic groups: today, at least twelve different tribes live in the country. The first inhabitants were the San, a tribe of Khoisan hunter-gatherers that have been living in Namibia at least as long as the modern calendar exists. A small number of San still live their nomadic lifestyle in the east of Namibia.

In more recent history, Namibia is also inhabited by a small population of Germans and Afrikaners. Despite their small number they have had great influence on the architecture of major towns. Especially the coastal town Swakopmund has many old buildings in ‘German style’.

Safety in Namibia

As a whole, Namibians are incredibly friendly. It is, overwhelmingly, a peaceful and welcoming country. However, there are still issues with both poverty and gang violence. Walking the streets at night is not recommended. On any tour, it is always wise to listen to your inner voice, your intuition. Theft does happen in Namibia. It is therefore advisable to protect your valuables at all times by using common sense precautions you would anywhere, such as never leaving valuables or bags unattended in your car, and being wary of those around you at ATMs.

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Download the itinerary 'the highlights of Namibia'

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No visa, welcome to Namibia!

You do not need to apply for a visa for Namibia for a visit of less than 90 days. However, in either case ensure that you have:

A passport with validity of minimum 6 months on the day you depart from your home country
A proof of owning sufficient financial resources
A proof for the first destination after arrival
A proof of a return ticket or to the next destination after your holiday
An original unabridged birth certificate when travelling with children under the age of 18

Let's talk money

The currency of Namibia is the Namibian Dollar (N$). The South-African Rand (ZAR) is also accepted in Namibia. It has the exact same value as the N$. For your daily expenses it is easy to have a wallet with smaller bills and keep the rest of your cash separated and out of sight. Especially when you spend several days in more remote areas, like wild parks, ensure you have enough cash on you. It is recommended to take a ‘mix’ of means for payment, including cash, a world card and a credit card (VISA or MasterCard) which you will need to rent your car. Also, we recommend having American Dollars which you will need when crossing borders and come in handy for emergencies. There are plenty of ATMs in the larger destinations of Namibia. Do not forget to change the security settings of your bankcards to ‘Worldwide’ if necessary.

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Vaccinations needed for Namibia

For vaccination services, you can go to the Regional Health Service or the tropical medicine clinic of a hospital. The following vaccinations are recommended for travellers going to Namibia: hepatitis A and a combined tetanus, diphtheria and inactivated polio vaccine (Td/IPV or DTP).

Malaria only occurs in northern Namibia. Ask your local health services for the most updated advice and preventative care.

Travel insurance

Travel insurance is the traveller’s own responsibility. We recommend that you take out travel insurance in your home country that will cover, for instance, loss, damage or theft of luggage, money and other valuables, medical expenses, repatriation expenses, et cetera. Consider also any additional cover you may need, such as for extreme, specialist or high-risk sports (scuba diving, canoeing, mountain biking, et cetera).

Makasa accepts no liability whatsoever in connection with any such activities. Ensure that you are well prepared to have a secure journey. The chance that something happens to you before or during the trip is small, but it is important to get the right insurance. It can save you costs and a lot of trouble.

Do you have any questions about Namibia?
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Namibia Africa

Land of boundless opportunityRemarkable landscapes and abundant wildlife

Travel to Namibia

What does Namibia have to offer?

Namibia Africa

Facts and figures

Do you want to know more about Namibia?

Namibia's climate

How to dress in Namibia

Are you interested in your travel options in Namibia?

The people of Namibia

Safety in Namibia

Let us take you to Namibia

Download the itinerary 'the highlights of Namibia'

No visa, welcome to Namibia!

Let's talk money

Would you like more advice on travelling Namibia?

Vaccinations needed for Namibia

Travel insurance

Do you have any questions about Namibia? We will be happy to advise you!

Land of boundless opportunity
Remarkable landscapes and abundant wildlife

Do you have any questions about Namibia?
We will be happy to advise you!