African travel tips when visiting Namibia

Namibia’s name is derived from the Namib Desert, which is believed to be the oldest desert in the world. This unique geological feature is famous for the pristine and haunting quality of its landscape. It is this characteristic that most characterizes the country and is home to some of the main tourist destinations in the country, in particular Sossusvlei, Sandwich Harbor and the Skeleton Coast Park.

Far from being barren and lifeless, the desert features an unusual variety of desert-adapted flora and fauna, including a large number of endemic species of plants, birds, reptiles, and insects. Many of these species are of particular scientific interest and attract scientists from around the world.

CAPITAL: Windhoek

CLIMATE: Namibia has a dry climate typical of a semi-desert country where droughts are a regular occurrence. The days are mostly warm to very hot, while the nights are generally cool. The average daytime temperatures in the summer vary from 20 ° C to 34 ° C and the average night temperatures in the winter vary from 0 ° C to 10 ° C. There are great differences between the arid, desert and semi-desert areas of the south and the northeast tropical with abundant summer rains. The best time to visit Namibia is from April to October.

CURRENCY: 1 Namibian dollar = 100 cents. Rands are accepted as legal tender. Traveler’s checks are accepted almost everywhere. Traveler’s checks are recommended in German marks, US dollars, or Swiss francs. In general, most hotels accept credit cards, as well as at Namibia Wildlife Resorts, where MasterCard, Visa (not always Diners Club and Amex), Namibian dollars, Rand traveler’s checks, and guaranteed bank checks are accepted. Credit cards are not accepted as fuel.

ELECTRICITY: 220 volts, 50Hz. The plugs are round 3-pin.

HEALTH: Yellow fever vaccination certificate is required for travelers older than 1 year who come from infected areas. Visitors are advised to take precautions against malaria before arrival (there is a risk from November to June in northern regions such as Ovamboland and the Caprivi strip, as well as in Omaheke and Otjozondjupa and throughout the year throughout the Kavango and Kunene rivers), hepatitis A, polio, and typhoid fever. Tap water is safe.

LANGUAGE: English is the official language. In shops, hotels and restaurants, Afrikaans and German are often spoken.

HOLIDAYS: New Years (January 1); Independence Day (March 21); Good Friday (April 9); Easter Monday (April 12); Labor Day (May 1); Cassinga Day (May 4); Ascension Day (May 20); Africa Day (May 25); Heroes Day (August 26); Goodwill Day (October 7); Human Rights Day (December 10); Christmas Day (December 25); Boxing Day (December 26).

SHOPPING: wood carvings; basketry; ceramics; fur coats and jackets, especially Swakara; gold jewelry; individually designed hand-woven rugs and wall hangings made of karakul wool; Diamonds and semi-precious stones from Namibia; Herero dolls.

SOCIAL CONVENTIONS: There is a Christian majority. Western customs and courtesies are observed. Business suits are worn in winter; in summer, safari suits are accepted.

TIME DIFFERENCE: GMT +2 (GMT +1 during April-August)

TIPS: 10 percent of the bill is customary.

DESCRIPTION OF THE MAIN TEN ATTRACTIONS:

Windhoek:

The capital; a bustling little town with a “continental” vibe; many places of interest, such as the Gibeon Meteorite Fountain, the National Gallery of Namibia Art, Tintenpalast, the Namibian Handicraft Center and the National Botanical Garden; shopping.

Fish River Canyon:

One of the most spectacular geological phenomena in Namibia; contains the hot springs of Ai-Ais, rugged mountainous lands, the Fish River Canyon (the second largest gorge in Africa) and the Huns Mountains with an isolated and otherworldly landscape and lots of interesting xerophytic plants; Experienced hikers consider the 4-5 day trail one of South Africa’s top challenges.

Sossusvlei-Namib:

Naukluft Park The monumental dunes are at the end of an erosion channel formed by the Tsauchab river; they are star-shaped.

Etosha National Park:

Namibia’s first conservation area and one of the largest game reserves in Africa; its defining feature is the Etosha Pan, a vast shallow depression of approx. 5000 km²; the elephants here are reputed to be one of the largest in Africa; Of the 114 species of mammals found in the park, several are rare and in danger of extinction; bird life is interesting during the rainy season.

Skeleton Coast Park:

An aura of mystery and impenetrability surrounds this park with its many shipwrecks, dense coastal fogs and cold sea breezes; Of special interest are the clay castles at Hoarusib, the salt flats near Agate Mountain, the seal colony at Cabo Frio and the shipwrecks along the coast.

Caprivi Strip:

Lush riparian forests and seasonal floodplains; some of the best bird watching spots in southern Africa, especially the Caprivi Game Park; also known for its arts and crafts, for example, pots and baskets with their distinctive beauty and symmetry; shop at Lizauli Traditional Village and a variety of craft centers; Other activities include angling, for example, tiger fishing, and wildlife viewing on boat cruises.

Luderitz-Kolmanskop:

Namibia’s most famous ghost town, located in Sperrgebiet, approximately 10 km from Lüderitz; the museum tells the story of this abandoned mining community.

Swakopmund:

Popular for its old-world charm and laid-back atmosphere; distinctive German colonial character; historic buildings and modern aquarium; famous for kudu leather shoes.

Cape Cross Seal Colony:

Home to the largest and best known of the 223 Cape fur seal colonies that breed along the coast of South Africa and Namibia; during the November / December breeding season up to 150,000 seals flock here; off the coast are protected bird islands.

Epupa Falls:

One of the main tourist places in Namibia; a series of waterfalls where the Kunene River descends 60 m in a distance of approximately 1.5 km, dividing into a multitude of channels and forming a myriad of rock pools; Swimming is possible in these pools, but be on the lookout for crocodiles.