Wedged between the Kalahari and the South Atlantic, Namibia boasts deserts, seascapes, bushwalking and boundlessness. Blessed with rich natural resources, a solid modern infrastructure, diverse cultures and an annual quota of 300 days of sunshine, it is a beautiful country of vast potential.

When To Go
The dry winter season (May to October) is the most pleasant time to visit Namibia. During this period you can expect warm, sunny days and cold nights, often with temperatures falling below freezing. It's best to avoid Namib-Naukluft Park and Etosha National Park in the extreme heat (December to March), and Fish River Canyon is closed to the public between December and April. The northeastern rivers may flood during this time too, making some roads either impassable or hard to negotiate. Resort areas are busiest during both Namibian and South African school holidays - usually from mid-December to mid-January, late-April to early June, and late-August to mid-September.

Weather Overview
Although it's predominantly desert, Namibia enjoys regional climatic variations. The whole country sees a minimum of 300 days of sunshine each year, but temperatures and rainfall vary considerably both seasonally and geographically. The most arid climate is found in the centre of the Namib Desert, where summer daytime temperatures climb to over 40°C (105°F) and can fall to below freezing at night. Daytime temperatures in the mountainous and semi-arid Central Plateau (including Windhoek) are generally lower than in the rest of the country. Fog is common on the coast.

December is the hottest month everywhere, bringing average temperatures of 30°C (86°F). There are two rainy seasons: the 'little rains' from October to December, and the main rainy period from January to April. The latter is characterised by brief showers and occasional thunderstorms that clear the air. Low-lying areas in the eastern part of the country are generally much hotter than the Central Plateau and, except for Kavango and Caprivi in the northeast, receive little rain.

Visas Overview
All visitors require a passport from their home country that is valid for at least six months after their intended departure date from Namibia. You may also be asked for an onward plane, bus or rail ticket, although checks are rarely made. Nationals of the following countries do not need visas to visit Namibia: Angola, Australia, Botswana, Brazil, Canada, EU countries, Iceland, Japan, Kenya, Mozambique, New Zealand, Norway, Russia, Singapore, South Africa, Switzerland, Tanzania, USA, Zambia, Zimbabwe and most Commonwealth countries. Citizens of most Eastern European countries do require visas. Tourists are granted an initial 90 days, which may be extended at the Ministry of Home Affairs in Windhoek.

Pre 20th Century History
Southern Africa's earliest inhabitants were the San, a nomadic people organised in extended family groups who could adapt to even the severest terrain. San communities later came under pressure from Khoi-Khoi groups. The Khoi-Khoi were a tribal people who raised livestock rather than hunted, and who were among the first pottery makers in the archaeological record books. They came from the south, gradually displacing the San, and remained in control of Namibia until around AD 1500. Descendants of the Khoi-Khoi and San people still live in the country, but few have retained their original lifestyles. Between 2300 and 2400 years ago, the first Bantus appeared on the plateaus of south-central Namibia. Their arrival marked the first tribal structures in southern African societies. Other tribes either retreated to the desert or the swamps of the Okavango Delta, or were enslaved into Bantu society.

Because Namibia has one of the world's most barren and inhospitable coastlines, it was largely ignored by European explorers. The first European visitors were Portuguese mariners seeking a way to the Indies in the late 15th century. However, they confined their activities in Namibia to erecting stone crosses at certain points along the coast as navigational guides. It wasn't until the end of the 19th century that Namibia was annexed by Germany, with the exception of the enclave of Walvis Bay, which was taken in 1878 by the British for the Cape Colony.

Namibia has 10 national parks, under the control of Namibian Wildlife Resorts. The country has ample opportunities for the self-drive tourist and many local tour operators and travel consultants offer interesting packages or arrange tailor-made tours covering a variety of areas. More information on tours and excursions can be obtained from Namibia Tourism (see Top Things To Do section).



Windhoek
Windhoek is the attractive capital of the country and is surrounded by mountains. Like other towns in Namibia, it has several examples of German colonial architecture, including the Alte Feste, the Christuskirche and the Tintenpalast (Ink Palace), the former colonial administrative building. Gross Barmen is a hot-spring resort to the north.

The Northern Region
The Etosha National Park is one of the most famous game sanctuaries in the world and remains largely free of human influence. Its 22,270 sq km (8599 sq miles) are located in the north around the Etosha Pan. This depression is 1065m (3494ft) above sea level, forming a huge, salty hollow which is only occasionally filled with water and surrounded by grasslands and bush. There are vast stocks of wildlife, particularly elephants, lions, zebras, giraffes, wildebeest, springboks, kudus, gemsboks or oryxes, hyenas, jackals, leopards and cheetahs. It is open throughout the year. There are well-equipped camps with comfortable rondavel accommodation and camping facilities. Waterberg Plateau Park, Namibia’s only mountain resort, has striking red sandstone cliffs and is home to many rare and endangered species of game. It is a popular stopover for visitors on their way to Etosha National Park. There are good facilities here for game viewing and a number of hiking trails. Also en route to Etosha is Lake Otjikoto, 24km (15 miles) northeast of the mining town of Tsumeb. Once fabled to be bottomless, it is now known to be 55m (140ft) deep and contains some rare fish. Northeast of here is Kaudom Game Reserve in Kavango, where there are two camping areas and where blue wildebeest, elephant, lion, cheetah, leopard and various species of antelope wander. Further northeast, the Popa Falls Rest Camp, where crocodiles and hippos bask in the water, is a popular haven on the banks of the Okavango River. About 12km (7 miles) to the south is Mahango Game Reserve, catering to day visitors only, with elephants, buffalo and lechwe. Heading still further northeast is East Caprivi, bordered by the Kwando, Linyanti, Chobe and Zambezi rivers. This region of swamps and flood plains has several safari lodges and offers boat trips, fishing, hiking and game viewing, particularly in the Mudumu and Mamili National Parks.
The town of Katima Mulilo, on the banks of the Zambezi River, has an Arts Center where visitors may purchase varous handicrafts such as baskets, bracelets, malachite and soapstone carvings. Flights to Victoria Falls, less than one hour’s flight away, are available from Katima Mulilo.

The Southern Region
Fish River Canyon is in the south of the country and only second in dimensions to the Grand Canyon. Situated between Seeheim and Ai-Ais (a hot spring resort), the gigantic cleft stretches for 150km (93 miles) and is up to 27km (17 miles) wide and up to 550m (1804ft) deep in parts. Trips are best arranged from Keetsmanshoop. Situated on the Fish River is Hardap Dam. The Kokerboom (Quiver Tree) Forest, located 14km (9 miles) northeast of Keetmanshoop on Gariganus Farm, features kokerbooms , which belong to the aloe family and grow up to 8m (26ft) and were often used by the San people to make quivers for their arrows (thus ‘quiver trees’). The trees create a bizarrely elegant effect and are now a protected plant in Namibia.
Lüderitz is a small port in the southern Namib region, with much charm and atmosphere from bygone days of diamond prospecting.

The Namib Region
The Namib Desert appears more like the surface of the moon with its towering sand dunes (some of them 300m/1000ft high), and is believed to be the oldest desert in the world. Namib Naukluft Park, at 49,768 sq km (19,215 sq miles), is the fourth-largest conservation area in the world. There are campsites in the Namib Desert at Sesriem, where the Tsauchab River disappears down a deep gorge in the plain (leaving pools of water where many animals feed) and in the Naukluft. The nearby Sossusvlei area is an ocean of sand dunes up to 300m (762ft) high, stretching as far as the eye can see and is home to countless water birds in the rainy season and oryxes, springbok and ostriches during the dry season.
The delightful little seaside resort of Swakopmund is situated in the middle of Namibia’s coastline, surrounded by desert and sea. Further north, the Skeleton Coast is a strange desert shoreline with massive dunes and treacherous rocks, the name relating to the number of ships wrecked and lost in the vicinity. The cold Benguela current keeps the coastline cool, damp and rain-free for most of the year, with a thick coastal fog.
Inland, the Brandberg/Twyfelfontein area has some very ancient rock engravings and paintings, of which the White Lady of the Brandberg is the best known. The Petrified Forest and the Welwitschia mirabilis plant are other attractions.


Northwest of Usakos, rising out of the Namib, is the 2000m (6562ft) Spitzkoppe where there is good mountaineering. Some of the coastal and river areas provide good opportunities for fishing, especially in the waters of the northern Caprivi strip. There are several hiking trails in the Fish River Canyon, the Naukluft Mountains, the Ugab River and the Waterberg Plateau Park. Sandgliding, a pastime popular amongst local people, is available in desert areas. Balloon safaris are organized by some tour operators. Paragliding and sky diving are possible along the coast. There are excellent opportunities for birdwatching, particularly in the Kavango and Caprivi regions. Namibia is home to over 630 bird species. Namibia’s flat terrain and vast open spaces provide good off-road cycling. White-water rafting is popular on the Kunene river, while visitors can join a canoeing safari on the Orange river. Qualified cave divers can explore Dragon's Breath, the world's largest known subterranean lake. A number of operators run horse riding holidays. Travelers looking for more speed can follow one of the 4x4 driving routes across the desert

Location
Southwest Africa.

Area
824,292 sq km (318,261 sq miles).

Population
2.04 million (UN estimate 2006).

Population Density
2.5 per sq km.

Capital
Windhoek.
Population: 223,364 (2001).

Government
Republic. Gained independence from South Africa in 1990. 
Recent history: Hifikepunye Pohamba, representing the ruling Swapo party, won a landslide victory in presidential elections in November 2004 and was inaugurated in March 2005. He promised to pursue the land reforms proposed by his predecessor President Nujoma. The country is currently enjoying slow but steady economic growth, with tourism becoming an increasingly significant source of revenue. The government is taking steps to tackle the onslaught of HIV/AIDS and improve educational opportunities for ordinary Namibians.

Language
English is the official language but is the first language of only 7% of the population. Afrikaans, the lingua franca, is the first language of most of the white population. German, Herero, Kavango, Nama and Ovambo are also spoken.

Religion
Christian (80-90%) and indigenous beliefs (10-20%).

Time
GMT + 1 (GMT + 2 from the first Sunday in September to the first Sunday in April).

Electricity
220 volts AC, 50hz. Outlets are of the South African three-pin type (two small round pins over one larger round pin).

Head of Government
Prime Minister Nahas Angula since 2005.

Head of State
President Hifikepunye Pohamba since 2005.

Telephone
Country code: 264.

Mobile Telephone
Roaming agreements exist with most international mobile phone operators. Coverage is limited to urban areas.

Internet
There are Internet cafes in Walvis Bay, Swakopmund and Windhoek.

Media
Press freedom is provided for by the constitution and largely respected by the government. Opposition views are broadcast.

Post
Good postal service. Airmail to Europe takes approximately four days to two weeks.

Post office hours: Mon-Fri 0800-1600, Sat 0830-1200.

Press
• Newspapers are printed Monday to Friday.
• English-language dailies include The Namibian.
• Weeklies include the Windhoek Observer.
• Die Republikein is a daily Afrikaans-language newspaper.
• Allgemeine Zeitung is published daily in German.

Social Conventions
In urban areas, western customs prevail; normal courtesies should be shown when visiting someone’s home. In rural settlements, visitors should follow the advice of a local guide.

International Travel:

Getting There by Air
The national airline is Air Namibia (SW) (website: www.airnamibia.com.na).

Departure Tax
None.

Main Airports
Windhoek (WDH) (Hosea Kutako International Airport) is 42km (25 miles) from the city (journey time – 30 minutes). To/from the airport: Shuttle services carrying two or more passengers at a time go to the city. Private taxis are also available. Facilities: Restaurant, bars, snack bar, duty-free shops, post office, bureau de change and car hire.

Getting There by Water
Main ports: There is a modern deep-water harbor at the Walvis Bay. There is also a small port at Lüderitz.

Getting There by Rail
TransNamib StarLine (tel: (061) 298 2175 or 2032 or 2083; website: www.transnamib.com.na) runs a train from Windhoek to Upington, just across the border in South Africa. However, the service is slow and there are no onward trains from Upington to other South African destinations.

Getting There by Road
A tarred road runs from the south through Upington in South Africa to Grünau, where it connects with the tarred road from Cape Town. The Trans-Kalahari Highway links Walvis Bay and Windhoek with Gaborone, Botswana and Gauteng, South Africa. The Trans-Caprivi highway runs through the Caprivi strip and via Botswana into Zimbabwe.

Bus: Intercape Mainliner (tel: (061) 227 847; website: www.intercape.co.za) runs comfortable overnight services from Windhoek to Cape Town four times a week, as well as services to Johannesburg and Pretoria via Upington. It also runs a service to Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe (close to the border with Zambia). The Johannesburg/Pretoria route connects with a direct service to Gaborone, Botswana.

Overview
The following may be imported into Namibia by persons over 16 years of age without incurring customs duty:
400 cigarettes and 50 cigars and 250g of tobacco; 2l of wine and 1l of spirits; 50ml of perfume and 250ml of eau de toilette; gifts to the value of N$50,000 (including value of imported duty-free items).

Hunting rifles need a permit, issued by customs when entering the country. Handguns are not allowed.

Internal Travel:

Getting Around By Air
Flying is the quickest and often the most economical way to travel around the country. Air Namibia (SW) (website: www.airnamibia.com.na) links Windhoek’s Eros Airport to all of the major towns in the territory. A number of local charter companies can arrange flights and tours by light aircraft.

Getting Around by Rail
With the exception of its two dedicated luxury services, rail travel in Namibia is not geared to tourism – progress is slow, the network is limited and most trains run overnight. The main routes are Windhoek–Keetmanshoop–Upington, South Africa, Walvis Bay–Swakopmund–Tsumeb, Windhoek–Tsumeb and Lüderitz–Keetmanshoop. First- and second-class carriages are available and light refreshments are offered on some services. On overnight voyages, seats in first-class compartments convert to four couchettes and those in second class to six couchettes. Local passenger trains run daily. The luxury Desert Express runs between Swakopmund and Windhoek, a 19-hour 30-minute journey which includes several stops which give travelers the opportunity to watch lions feeding, see the Namib Desert, walk in the sand dunes and admire the stars. A three-course dinner and overnight accommodation are included in the ticket price. The Northern Desert Express is a luxury service to Etosha National Park. More details on rail services are available from TransNamib (website: www.transnamib.com.na).

Getting Around by Road
Traffic drives on the left. Roads are generally well maintained but away from the main highways surfaces are gravel or dirt, not tarmac. There are 64,799km (40,266 miles) of road, of which 7,841km (4,872 miles) are tarred. Although traffic is very light, people and animals sometimes walk in the road; driving after dark can be particularly dangerous. If traveling along the Caprivi Strip, stay on the tarred road. Bus: The Intercape Mainliner (tel: (061) 227 847; website: www.intercape.co.za) luxury coach service runs from Walvis Bay to Livingstone in Zambia and from Windhoek to South Africa via Springbok or Upington, stopping at major towns along the way. Car hire: Self-drive cars are available at the airport and Windhoek city center, as well as some other major centers. Regulations: The minimum driving age is 23 years. The speed limit is 60-80kph (37-50mph) in built up areas, 80-90kph (50-56mph) on gravel roads and 120kph (75mph) on tar roads. Seat belts are compulsory. Documentation: An International Driving Permit is required. Emergency Breakdown: AAN (Automobile Association of Nambia) tel: (061) 224 201.

Getting Around Towns and Cities
There is a local bus service in Windhoek, and taxis are available in all Namibian towns.

Windhoek has a selection of fashionable shops. Local crafts can be bought in some specialized shops and at the Windhoek Street Market, held every second Saturday. Good buys include diamonds and semi-precious stones, Herero dolls, hand-carved wooden objects, jewelry, karosse rugs, liqueur chocolates made in Windhoek and Swakara garments. Shopping hours: Mon-Fri 0900-1700, Sat 0900-1300. Some bigger supermarkets are also open Sun 1100-1300 and 1600-1900.

Currency Information:

Currency
The Namibian Dollar (NAD; symbol N$) is in note denominations of N$200, 100, 50, 20 and 10. Coins are in denominations of N$5, N$1, 50 cents, 10 cents and 5 cents. It is linked to the South African Rand (R) on a 1:1 basis (South African Rand = 100 cents). The South African Rand is also acceptable as currency in Namibia.

Currency Exchange
Available in banks and at bureaux de change.

Credit/Debit Cards and ATMs
American Express, Diners Club, MasterCard and Visa are accepted. Credit cards are not usually accepted at petrol stations.

Traveller's Cheques
To avoid additional exchange rate charges, take traveller’s cheques in US Dollars or South African Rand.

Banking Hours
Mon-Fri 0900-1530, Sat 0900-1100.

Passport/Visa