Namibia

Namibia At A Glance

Although not as well known as some of its African neighbours, Namibia is a gem for those in search of the wilderness. Namibia is a large and sparsely populated country on Africa's south-west coast, which has enjoyed more than a decade of stability since achieving Independence on 21 March 1990.

Today Namibia is a peaceful country which is economically prosperous as a result of its productive mining, fishing, tourism and agricultural industries. Essentially a desert country, Namibia offers contrasting landscapes. The desolate Namib Desert is said to be the oldest in the world, with its high dunes and awe-inspiring sense of space. The central plateau, with its thorn bush savannah and rugged mountains, rising abruptly from the plains, gives way to the majestic Fish river Canyon in the south. In the north of the country, landscapes range from dense bush and open plains of the great Etosha Pan, to woodland savannah and lush vegetation.

The Etosha national park, the third largest in Africa, owes its unique landscape to the Etosha Pan, a vast shallow depression of approximately 5000km2. A series of waterholes along the southern edge of the pan guarantee rewarding and often spectacular game viewing. Germanic influence can still be found in the country's good road infrastructure, well-equipped rest camps throughout the country and most cities' architecture. The perfect choice for nature lovers and amateur photographers alike.

Climate

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 18°C-25°C during the day. Below freezing temperatures and ground frost are common at night.

Summer (October-April)

Average interior temperatures range from 20°C-34°C during the day. Temperatures above 40°C 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 15°C-25°C. 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 average 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.

Currency

Local currency in Namibia is the Namibian Dollar (NAD) which is linked to the South African Rand. The South African Rand is also legal tender in Namibia, although $N cannot be used in South Africa.

Travellers Cheques:

To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travellers are advised to take traveller's cheques in US Dollars or South African Rand. Traveller's cheques can be exchanged at any normal bank or bureau de change offices.

Credit Cards:

American Express, Diners Club, MasterCard and Visa are widely accepted. ATMs are available in most large cities and towns.

Please note credit cards are not usually accepted at petrol stations.

Health

There are no mandatory vaccinations for Namibia, although there is a risk of malaria especially in the northern parts of Namibia (mostly during the rainy season & summer months-i.e. Oct - April/May), so we do recommend you take the necessary precautions when travelling to these areas. Anti-malaria medication should be taken according to physician recommendations. Travellers arriving in Namibia from infected areas require a yellow fever vaccination certificate Other vaccinations may be recommended so please check with your doctor or Traveller's Medical & Vaccination Centre as they will determine what is required.

Passport

Your passport must be valid at least 6 months beyond intended stay. A minimum of two blank pages in your passport is required. If there is insufficient space in your passport entry will be denied.

Visa information

At this time, no visa for Namibia is required for travellers on Australian passports. Please double check this with your travel agent as this may change at any time. You must hold return or onward flight tickets.