General information about Namibia

 
Bountiful sunshine, an abundance of wildlife, scenic beauty and a rich
diversity of geological phenomena make Namibia a sought-after tourist
destination to which visitors return again and again. Plus points are the
friendliness and cultural diversity of its people, a well-developed
infrastructure and an extensive choice of parks, resorts and accommodation
establishments. The latter range from five-star luxury hotels and upmarket
guest lodges to simple and rustic accommodation in the seclusion of the
bush.
 
Namibia derived its name from the Namib Desert, a unique geological feature
renowned for the pristine and haunting quality of its landscape. Far from
being lifeless and barren, this narrow strip of moist coastal desert
features and unusual variety of desert-adapted flora and fauna, including a
large number of endemic plant, bird, reptile and insect species. Many of
these features are of particular scientific interest and attract scientists
from all over the world.
 
General:
Surface area: 824 268 km²
Capital: Windhoek
Independence: March 21, 1990
First and current President: Sam Nujoma
Multiparty Parliament
Democratic Constitution
Division of power between executive, legislative and judiciary
Secular state – freedom of religion (90% Christian)
 
Environment:
Nature reserves 15% of surface area (105 559 km²)
Highest mountain: Brandberg 2.579 m
Other mountains: Spitzkoppe (two highest peaks) 1.728 m and 1.584 m, Moltkeblick 2.480 m, Gamsberg 2.349 m
Perennial rivers: Orange River (southern border), Kunene (northern border, Okavango, Zambezi and
Kwando/Linyanti/Chobe (northeastern borders)

Flora: 
14 vegetation zones
120 species of trees
200 endemic plant species
100 species of lichens
Living fossil plant: Welwitschia mirabilis
Fauna:
Big game: elephant, rhino, lion, buffalo, cheetah, leopard, giraffe, antelope
20 species of antelope
240 species of mammals (14 endemic)
250 species of reptiles
50 species of frogs
± 630 species of birds
Endemic birds include Herero chat, Damara tern, Monteiro's hornbill, Dune lark and Hartlaubs francolin
Economy
Main sectors: Mining, Fishing, Tourism & Agriculture
Biggest employer: Agriculture 46%
Fastest-growing sector: Tourism
Mining: diamonds, uranium, copper, lead, zinc, magnesium, cadmium, arsenic, pyrites, silver, gold, lithium minerals,
dimension stones (granite, marble, blue sodalite) and semi-precious stones

Social Infrastructure
One medial doctor per 3.650 people
Windhoek: two privately run hospitals
Intensive-care units
Medical practitioners – world standard
24 hours medical emergency services
 
Population
1.826.854 million 
Density: 2.2 per km² 
13 regions
240.000 inhabitants in Windhoek (15% of total)
 
Official language: English
13 ethnic cultures 
16 languages and dialects 
Literacy rate: 65% 
Life expectancy: 56 years 
Population growth rate: 2.9% 
1.450 schools 
94% of children attend school 

Physical infrastructure
5.450 km tarred roads
37.000 km gravel roads
Main harbours: Walvis Bay, Luderitz 
Airports: Windhoek main: Hosea Kutako International Airport, Windhoek city: Eros Airport
Airstrips: 46
Rail network: 2.382 km narrow gauge 
Mobile communication system: GSM Agreements with 40 countries/ 80 networks 
Postal Service affiliated to Universal Postal Union
Entry requirements: 
A passport that is valid for six months after date of entry. 
Citizens from the following countries are exempt from visa requirements if entering Namibia as bone fida
tourists: Angola, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Botswana, Brazil, Canada, Cuba, France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland,
Italy, Japan, Kenya, Lesotho, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malawi, Malaysia, Mozambique, Netherlands, New
Zealand, Portugal, Russia, Scandinavian countries, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, Swaziland, Switzerland,
Tanzania, UK, USA, Zambia and Zimbabwe.  Tourist visas can be obtained from the Ministry of Home Affairs, at
Namibian embassies and at Namibia Tourism offices in Johannesburg and Cape Town. Please confirm your visa
requirements or further information at:
Ministry of Home Affairs Tel: ++264-61-292 2102

Foreign representation
More than 50 countries have Namibian consular or embassy representation in Windhoek. For information, please
contact Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Information and Broadcasting Tel: ++264-61-282 9111

Visitor's Information

International telephone code
To phone in Namibia internationally, dial (++264) and then the local code, omitting the first 0, then the local
number. Include the zero when phoning within Namibia

Health:
Malaria precautions:
It is imperative that visitors to the northern areas to take adequate
precautions against malaria, whether camping under the stars or sleeping
under a roof. The following measures are effective in reducing the risk of
mosquito bites:
 
- Sleep under a mosquito net at night, especially between 20:00 and 6:00
hours. Nets treated with insecticides that are harmless to humans will further
increase protection. Mosquito nets for beds are available in local shops.
- Wear long sleeves and long trousers.
Prophylactics: Drugs, which prevent malaria, should be used in addition to the
personal protection measures mentioned above. The World Health Organization
(WHO) recommends travelers to Namibia and from non-malaria to malaria areas
within Namibia to use Chloroquine and Proguanil. Proguanil is to be used in
addition to Chloroquine and not as an alternative. Prophylactics should be
taken at least 24 to 48 hours before visiting the malaria areas, and
treatment should be continued for six weeks after leaving the area.
 

Medical & Emergency Services
International SOS
Windhoek: Tel: ++264-61 230 505 / 249 777
Netcare 911 Namibia: Tel: ++264-61-223 330
Swakopmund: Tel: ++264-61-400 700
Tsumeb: Tel: ++264-81 128 5501
Walvis Bay: Tel: ++264-64-200 200
Cell phone dial: Tel: 112

Tax & Customs

All goods and services are priced to include value-added tax (VAT) of 15%. Visitors may reclaim VAT.
Enquiries: Ministry of Finance Tel: ++264-61-230 773

Transport
Public transport is NOT available to all destinations in Namibia. Bus service from Windhoek-Cape Town/
Johannesburg/ Victoria Falls/ Swakopmund.
There is an extensive network of international and regional flights from Windhoek. Domestic charters to all
destinations.


Climate
The average annual rainfall varies from 50 mm at the coast to 350 mm in the central highlands and 700 mm in the
northeast. Namibia enjoys ample sunshine most of the year.
Important: wear a hat and sunglasses and always apply sun block before going out

 

Temperatures in C° averages

	Feb	Apr	June	Aug	Oct	Dec
Windhoek
Max	29	26	21	24	29	31
Min	16	10	3	5	12	16
Swakopmund
Max	21	18	20	16	16	19
Min	16	13	11	9	11	14
Rundu
Max	30	29	26	30	35	32
Min	18	15	8	10	18	18
Keetmanshoop
Max	34	29	22	24	30	34
Min	19	14	7	7	13	17
Lüderitz
Max	22	20	19	17	18	21
Min	14	13	11	10	12	13

Money matters
The Namibian Dollar (N$) is fixed and equals the SA Rand. The south African Rand is also legal tender in Namibia.
Traveller's cheques, foreign currency, International Visa, Master Card, Diners Club and American Express credit
cards are accepted. Traveller's cheques in foreign currency can be exchanged during banking hours, weekdays
from 9.00 h- 15.30 h and Saturdays from 8.30 h – 10.30 h, at any bank in most towns. There are Bureau de
Change offices at the International Airport and in the Levinson Arcade in Windhoek. No credit cards are
accepted at petrol stations but most petrol/garage cards are. Personal cheques and foreign currency or foreign
Travellers cheques are NOT accepted at rest camps.

Electrical appliances
All run on 220/240 volts. Outlets are of the round 3-pin, 15-amps type, the same as in South Africa

Time Zone
Summer: GMT + 2 hours from the first Sunday in September to the first Sunday in April
Winter: GMT + 1 hour from the first Sunday in April to the first Sunday in September

Drinking Water:
Most tap water is purified and safe to drink. Visitors should exercise caution in rural areas. Water is, however,
one of Namibia's scarcest commodities. Tourists are earnestly requested to
make a meaningful water-saving contribution while in the country. This can
be done by the following simple measures:
- Take a shower instead of a bath. An average 10 cm-deep bath uses about 80
liters of water, while a short shower uses about 24 liters.
- If a shower is not available, remember that it is not necessary to fill the
bath to the rim. Or share a bath – it's fun!
- Don't leave the water running while washing your hands, brushing your teeth
or shaving. Use the plug.
 
- Use a glass or keep a container of water in the refrigerator rather than
drinking water from the tap or letting it run until the water is cold.
- If you notice a leaking tap, report it to your host.
 
Thank you for helping us to conserve our water.

Worth-while contacts:
National Archives of Namibia
Tel: ++264-61- 293 5211   email: natarch@mec.gov.na
National Library of Namibia
Tel: ++264-61- 2935305   email: whillebrecht@mec.gov.na
Namibia Scientific Society
Tel: ++264-61- 225 372    email: nwg@iafrica.com.na
National Art Gallery of Namibia
Tel: ++264-61- 231 160 
 
 
Tips for photographers:
If you are a keen photographer, the most important aspect to remember is to
bring enough film. Normal film is freely available in towns and rest camps,
while some specialized film can be purchased in photographic outlets in
Windhoek. The same principle applies to batteries. Keep in mind that spare
batteries also need regular replacing. It is advisable to keep film in a
cool box, especially when visiting during the summer.
 
As lighting conditions in Namibia are optimal, slow film is a good bet, as
it gives better grain and good colour saturation. Because the light is often
harsh, it is advisable to have all lenses fitted with UV or haze filters.
When it is really bright, underexposing by half a stop or more will
invariably give a better picture.
 
A major problem in Namibia is dust, and in the desert where the wind often
blows, flying sand. Mechanical cameras are therefore a better bet than
electronic ones. Equipment should be covered when not in use, and cleaned
after a day's shooting, for which you need a blower brush, cleaning fluid
and lens tissue.
 
In most cases telephoto lenses are essential to obtain good wildlife shots,
especially of birds. For best results these lenses need to be kept steady,
either by using a tripod, or if in a vehicle, with a beanbag or window
support. When photographing in a game reserve such as the Etosha National
Park, a good policy is to spend several hours at a waterhole simply waiting.
There are large numbers of game, and plenty of action, so the more patient
you are, the better your chances of coming away with good photographs
possibly even winners.
 
Keep Namibia clean and intact:
We appeal to visitors to assist us in keeping our country as clean, unspoilt
and intact as possible. Please do not litter, and do not throw burning
matches and cigarette butts out of car windows. Bush fires can destroy large
tracts of valuable grazing land and cause unnecessary damage to the habitat
and the death if birds and animals.
 
When in parks, reserves and open country, kindly refrain from driving off
the road. This causes unsightly tracks, and especially in desert areas,
disturbs nesting birds and damages lichen. When visiting historical sites
and natural phenomena such as the Petrified Forest, kindly refrain from
collecting "souvenirs". You will be removing part of Namibia's natural
heritage, and impoverishing the country for its inhabitants and those who
come after you. We thank you for your consideration, and wish you a rich and
rewarding visit to our wonderful country.