Air Namibia, the national carrier, maintains direct international flights to Frankfurt (five times a week); regional flights to cities such Luanda (Angola), Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe), Acra (Chana), Lusaka (Zambia), Johannesburg (South Africa) and Cape Town (South Africa).  In addition, British Airways, South African Airways also operate regular flights to Namibia.

All goods and services are priced to include value-added tax (VAT) of 15%.
Visitors may reclaim VAT on holiday purchases that are over the amount of N$250.00. VAT can be claimed at Hosea Kutako Airport, Ariamsvlei and Noordoewer border posts. Goods will have to be shown to a customs official in order to ensure the goods leave the country.

Enquiries: Ministry of Finance – Tel (+264 61) 23 0773 in Windhoek.

Summer time: GMT + 2 hours from the 1st Sunday in September to the 1st Sunday in April.

Winter: GMT + 1 hour from the 1st Sunday in April to the 1st Sunday in September.

Currency: The Namibian Dollar (N$) is fixed to and equals the SA Rand. South African Rand is also legal tender.
The Traveller’s cheques, foreign currency, International Visa, Master Card, American Express and Diners Club credit cards are accepted.
Travellers cheques in foreign currency can be exchanged during banking hours, weekdays from 09:00 – 15:30 and Saturdays from 08:30 – 10:30, at any commercial bank in most towns. Bureau de Change offices at the International Airport and in the Levinson Arcade in Windhoek.
No credit cards accepted at petrol service stations. Most petrol/garage cards accepted. Personal cheques and foreign currency or foreign Travellers Cheques are NOT accepted at rest camps.
 

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

All water from taps in the cities, towns and villages in Namibia is disinfected, safe and potable, while water from boreholes is usually safe to drink.
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 de bone by following simple measures:
Take a shower instead of a bath. An average 10 cm deep bath uses about 80 litres of water, while short shower uses about 24 litres.
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. Put the plug in the basin.
If you notice a leaking tap, report it to your host.
Thank you for helping us keep our country clean and conserve our water.

All major towns in Namibia have state-run hospitals. In Windhoek, there are three world-class, private hospitals and two state hospitals, each with fully equipped and maintained intensive-care units. Qualifications of medical practitioners measure up to international standards.

International SOS Namibia provides the best infrastructure to assist in all forms of medical emergency evacuation services that extend to the furthest corners of Namibia.

The cold Benguela current keeps the coast of the Namib Desert cool, damp and free of rain for most of the year, with a thick coastal fog. Inland, rain falls in summer. Summer temperatures are high while the altitude means that nights are cool. Winter nights can be fairly cold, but days are generally warm and pleasant.

Winter (May-September)
Temperatures in the interior range from 18C-25C during the day. Below freezing temperatures and ground frost are common at night.

Summer (October-April)
Average interior temperatures range from 20C-34C during the day. Temperatures above 40C are often recorded in the extreme north and south of the country. The coast influenced by the cold Benguela current, boasts a relatively stable range of 15C-25C. Heavy fog is fairly common at night.

Humidity
Humidity is generally very low in most parts of Namibia, but can reach as high as 80% in the extreme north during summer. The rainy season is from October-April. The everage annual rainfall varies from less than 50mm along the coast to 350mm in the central interior and 700mm in the Caprivi. The sporadic rains do not affect road travel significantly, however, tourists should exercise caution when crossing or camping in riverbeds during the rainy season, as flash foods are a common occurrence.

Visitors should pack both warm and cold weather clothing for any visit to Namibia. Windhoek boasts a number of excellent safari outfitters and tourists are advised to shop for clothing upon arrival.

• First-aid kit containing, amongst others, insect repellent, possibly a malaria prophylaxis, bandages, diarrhoea medication and painkillers; sufficient supplies of your regular medicines

• Sunglasses, sun protection and a hat (year-round sunshine)

• Moisturising lotion and lip balm

• Comfortable walking shoes

• Swimsuits

• Binoculars

• Battery-operated or conventional razors (if visiting remote areas)

• Torch

• Travel insurance policy and repatriation insurance

• Telephone list with all the emergency numbers, including the numbers of family and friends back home

• Rehydrate solutions or concentrates.

The official language is English and all documents, notices and directional signs are in English.
German and Afrikaans are also used throughout the country and there are numerous African languages.

Passport – valid six months after date of entry.
Citizens from the following countries are exempted from visa requirements f entering Namibia as bone fida tourists: Angola, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Botswana, Brazil, Canada, Cuba, France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kenya, Lesotho, Lichtenstein, Luxembourg, Malawi, Malaysia, Mozambique, Netherlands, New Zealand, Portugal, Russia, Scandinavian countries, Singapore, South-Africa, Spain, Swaziland, Switzerland, Tanzania, UK. USA, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
For further information contact:
Ministry of Home Affairs
Tel (++264 61) 292 2102

It is always advisable to ask for permission before photographing people anywhere in Namibia. Taking ptotos of military installations is prohibited.

International SOS
Windhoek: Tel (++264 61) 230 505/249 777
Netcare 911 Namibia: Tel (++264 61) 22 3330
Swakopmund: Tel (++264 64) 400 700
Tsumeb: Tel (++264 81) 128 5501
Walvis Bay: Tel (++264 64) 200 200
Cellphone: 112

As temperatures can be very high during the summer months, clothing made from cotton rather than synthetic fibres is preferable. During winter, light clothing combined with a sweater and/or jacket is recommended, as it becomes cold in the evenings and early mornings. Important items to pack: comfortable walking shoes, swimsuits, binoculars, sun hats and sun glasses, sun block, mosquito repellent and battery-operated or conventional razors for visiting remote areas.