If you choose Namibia as your safari destination , you’ll experience one of Africa’s finest holiday destinations. Namibia is characterized by natural beauty and vast landscapes that overwhelm all the senses. The national parks and reserves offer everything from open bushveld teeming with wildlife to the stark coastal strips with their expansive and breathtakingly beautiful sand dunes .
Etosha National Park is Namibia’s premier attraction, home to an impressive 114 mammal species. Visitors can also spot animals such as desert elephants, lions, springbok, and oryx in the Namib-Naukluft National Park, Waterberg National Park, and Skeleton Coast National Park . Namibia’s rich history, with its numerous historical sites, fascinates both culture enthusiasts and history buffs. These sites include the legendary ghost towns of Lüderitz andKolmanskop, swallowed by thesand dunes. Also among them are Twyfelfontein in the Kunene region and Spitzkoppe, a mountain range more than 700 million years old.
A large part of Namibia consists of the Namib Desert , considered the oldest desert in the world, stretching almost two thousand kilometers along the Atlantic coast . Your Namibian holiday will surely include unforgettable experiences such as dune boarding and hang gliding, as well as guided 4×4 dune tours in this sandy paradise . Discover Namibia’s adventurous side in the charming coastal town of Swakopmund , which offers extreme sports like skydiving , hot air ballooning , and quad biking .
The best time to visit Namibia is during the dry season from May to October . Wildlife viewing in Etosha National Park is excellent, as animals congregate at waterholes and the weather is mild and clear. The green season (November to April) offers dramatic skies and fewer crowds, making it ideal for photographers.
Namibia offers a unique blend of landscapes and adventures. Don’t miss the towering red dunes of Sossusvlei, the wildlife safaris in Etosha National Park, the Skeleton Coast, and the coastal charm of Swakopmund with activities like sandboarding and quad biking. A visit to Damaraland to observe the desert-adapted elephants is also highly recommended.
Read more about activities in Namibia!
Namibia is partly covered by the Namib Desert – one of the driest deserts in the world – and offers a pleasant, dry climate year-round, making it ideal for travel. Compared to other countries in southern Africa, Namibia receives only a fraction of the rainfall that falls further east.
Between December and March , isolated, mostly localized thunderstorms can occur in the afternoon, particularly in the central and eastern parts of the country. Such rainfall is rare in the desert. The air may be more humid on these days, but the weather generally remains pleasant for travel.
The months of April and especially May are considered one of the most beautiful times to travel : it is already dry , the air is fresh and clear , and the landscape is still green in many places . This time is ideal for photography and landscape observation , as there is hardly any dust or sand in the air .
From June to August , Namibia cools down noticeably, and nights – especially in the desert regions – can drop below freezing. At the same time, wildlife increasingly congregates around the waterholes in the north, making wildlife viewing particularly rewarding . In September and October, temperatures rise again. This is the best time for safaris, as the dry weather draws wildlife into open areas. However, it can become increasingly dusty, and the vegetation is less lush.
November is a month of change : some days the hot , dry weather persists , while on others the sky fills with dramatic clouds , heralding the first rains . Those lucky enough to witness the beginning of the rainy season will not soon forget this impressive moment .
Currency: The
official currency in Namibia is the Namibian Dollar ( NAD) , which is pegged 1 : 1 to the South African Rand ( ZAR) . The Rand is also legal tender in Namibia , but the Namibian Dollar cannot be used in South Africa .
If you need to exchange money before your trip , it ’s usually easier to buy South African Rand , as Namibian Dollars are rarely available at banks outside of Namibia . It ’s recommended to carry some cash with you , for example , for parking fees, tips , or smaller shops that do n’t accept card payments .
Banks can be found in most cities and larger towns . Typical opening hours are Monday to Friday from 9:00 AM to 3:30 PM and Saturday from 8:30 AM to 12:00 PM . Banks are closed on Sundays and public holidays .
Most banks offer currency exchange and accept cash, debit cards, credit cards , and traveler ’s checks . You can also withdraw cash from numerous ATMs . Several international banks have branches in the larger cities.
It is also advisable to inform your bank before traveling , as foreign transactions may otherwise be blocked for security reasons .
Public transport in Namibia primarily serves the local population and mainly follows the main roads connecting the larger cities . While this form of travel is inexpensive and reliable , it is less practical for tourists , as many of the most popular attractions are located off the beaten track .
Namibia is easily accessible by plane – several major airlines offer regular flights to the capital , Windhoek , and Swakopmund. Other regions of the country are best reached by rental car or charter flight .
In Namibia, traffic drives on the left and all road signs are in English. Wearing a seatbelt is mandatory, and using a mobile phone while driving is prohibited. The general speed limits are:
Please note: Road conditions in remote areas can be very rough. For such routes, the use of an off-road vehicle with high ground clearance (4×4) is strongly recommended.
Traditional Namibian cuisine is rarely offered ; in most restaurants you can expect European – style food , which is generally of very high quality .
Namibia is known as a meat-loving country, so steaks from various game species are frequently found on menus . However, most lodges , camps, and restaurants also offer vegetarian dishes as well as fish and seafood options .
According to our current travel advice for Namibia, a tip of 10 to 15 percent is customary on restaurant bills , in hotels , and for taxi rides – however, in many cases a service charge is automatically added . During a safari , it is customary to tip the safari guide and lodge staff .
Namibian supermarkets offer a good selection of fresh , pre-packaged fruits and vegetables – although the selection may be limited in more remote areas . Shelf – stable foods such as canned goods , pasta , rice, and bread are widely available , as much of it is imported from South Africa .
Tap water in Namibia’s larger cities is generally safe to drink , but due to long pipe runs , it may have a slightly metallic taste . Water from natural springs should usually be purified , although spring water and water from dry riverbeds are generally safe . Filtered or bottled water is readily available in cities and in all camps, lodges, and hotels .
In Namibia, there’s a rather relaxed attitude towards dress codes . A jacket or tie is unusual , even for more formal occasions . For business meetings or upscale evening events , long trousers and a button- down shirt are generally perfectly adequate . For everyday wear , comfortable shoes , jeans, and a T-shirt are recommended .
It can get very hot during the day – therefore , you should pack light , loose- fitting clothing made of natural materials such as cotton or linen . These fabrics are breathable and are also easy to wash and quick to dry .
Please avoid wearing blue clothing , as it attracts tsetse flies . The bites of these flies can transmit African sleeping sickness .
For the evening and night, it is recommended to wear long-sleeved tops and long trousers to protect yourself from mosquito bites .
Telecom Namibia offers a convenient service called “ Wi -Space“ . With a Wi -Space voucher , which you can purchase locally , you gain access to Wi-Fi at over 40 locations throughout the country, identifiable by the Wi -Space logo.
Alternatively , most hotels , lodges and guesthouses across the country offer Wi-Fi access – either free of charge or for a small fee .
The nationwide Wi-Fi infrastructure is constantly being expanded , resulting in regular improvements to connection quality .
In Namibia, the mains voltage is 220–240 volts at 50 hertz. You should bring an adapter with three round plugs for your electrical devices , specifically plug types D and M. Such adapters are also available at larger airports .
If your device’s plug doesn’t fit these sockets, you’ll need a travel adapter, which simply adapts the plug’s shape to the specific socket. Please note that travel adapters do not convert voltage – this means the device will still receive 220–240 volts.
If your electrical devices are not designed for this voltage, you will also need a voltage converter to use your devices safely.
Yes, Namibia is considered one of the safer travel destinations in Africa. Follow the usual precautions, avoid driving at night on roads with abundant wildlife, and heed the advice of your tour guide or lodge.
Many nationalities receive a visa upon arrival or can enter visa-free for short stays; others must apply for a visa in advance. Before your trip, check the entry requirements for your nationality and the validity of your passport.
