About Namibia

Namibia is one of the most nature-filled and beautiful countries in Africa. Experiencing a trip to this stunning country will astound you with its wilderness and vastness. With such an incredible landscape and impressive wildlife, Namibia is a photographer’s dream come true!

Namibia is known for its wildlife, open spaces, fauna, culture and exciting extreme sports! This beautiful land is bursting with life, home to more than 100 mammal species and more than 300 varieties of birds! 

Culture

In addition to English, Afrikaans and German are both spoken, as well as many indigenous languages, including Khoisan, a group of African dialects famous for their clicking sounds. Public displays of affection are frowned upon. Namibian’s respect the older generation, so it’s advisable for tourists to follow suit. Greetings are also important – many shake hands and it’s polite to swap pleasantries before launching into your reason of business.

Best time to visit

Namibia is a year-round destination, but the weather and wildlife viewings are at their best during the winter months. From June to August, the temperatures dip making it more comfortable to drive long distances through the desert. One thing to keep in mind is that winter is the most expensive and busiest time to visit Namibia. It’s not uncommon for some lodges to fill up a year in advance. If you want to skip the crowds and don’t mind the higher temperatures, plan your trip during the shoulder or low seasons.

How many days do I need in Namibia?

You can stay in town for a week or two and see half of Namibia just by doing day trips (sometimes by plane) from Swakopmund. As a part of a road trip, you can plan at least 3 nights in Swakopmund. That gives you time to do a couple of day trips in the area.

Things to do in Namibia

From world-renown safaris to the Himba people Namibia is a fascinating country with much more to offer than one might initially think! It has vast deserts with giant dunes, one of the world’s largest canyons, some of the driest places on earth, and much more! Plus, as a country of extremes, Namibia is particularly interesting for geography lovers.

Getting around Namibia

By plane

There are internal flights available, patronized mainly by business folk. In addition to the international airport at Walvis Bay, small airports are scattered across the country at Katima Mulilo, Lüderitz, Ondangwa, Oranjemund and Rundu.

By train

Trains have been running in Namibia since 1895. Most routes on this small network also offer a passenger service (both economy and business), and since most departures entail overnight travel you can save a night’s accommodation, which may be of interest to budget travellers.

By car

The most convenient way to see the country is by having your own wheels; once you’ve made that decision, the main question is whether to go for a 2WD or 4WD. Many of the main highways are high-quality tarred roads, and the gravel roads necessary for reaching most of the main sights are generally navigable in a 2WD outside the rainy season, though the higher the clearance, the more comfortable the ride.

By bus

Organized transport is rather a good option to choose outside the main population centres. Intercape Mainliner provides the most reliable luxury buses, running daily services from Windhoek to South Africa, stopping off at Rehoboth, Mariental and Keetmanshoop; it also heads north to Oshakati, Ondangwa and the Angolan border at Oshikango, as well as to Livingstone in Zambia via Rundu and Katima Mulilo, and west to Swakopmund and Walvis Bay.

Health & Safety

Namibia is one of the safest countries in Africa. It’s politically stable and has a low crime rate. All travellers are required to have a PCR COVID-19 Clearance Certificate issued by a recognized facility within 48 hours from the date of departure, in line with WHO guidelines. Yellow fever and Malaria vaccination certificates are required from those travellers coming from areas of risk. Furthermore, you should take out comprehensive travel and medical insurance to cover you while you are away.