Namibia

Climate

Namibia’s summer is October to April and average inland temperatures range from 20°C to 34°C during the day. Temperatures above 40°C are often recorded in the extreme north and south of the country. During winter, which is May to September, temperatures range from 18°C to 25°C during the day. Below freezing temperatures and ground frost are common at night. The coast is influenced by the cold Benguela current and experiences relatively stable temperatures between 15°C and 25°C. Heavy fog is also fairly common at night.

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 usually affect road travel significantly. However, care should be taken when crossing or camping in riverbeds during the rainy season, as flash foods are a common occurrence. Humidity is generally very low in most parts of Namibia, but can reach as high as 80% in the extreme north during summer.

Passports & Visas

All visitors to Namibia must be in possession of a passport, which is valid for six months after date of entry.

At present, visitors from the UK, USA and some western European countries can obtain a 90 day permit at the point of entry to Namibia. Tourist visas can also be obtained from Namibian Embassies overseas and study and work visas must be applied for in advance in your home country.

Time Differences

From the first Sunday in September to the first Sunday in April Namibia’s time is GMT + 2 hours. For the rest of the year it is GMT + 1 hour.

Money

The Namibian Dollar (made up of 100 cents) and South African Rand are the only accepted currencies in Namibia. The two currencies are fixed at a one to one exchange rate. The Namibian dollar cannot be exchanged outside of the country, so it is important to change any surplus back into your own currency before departure. Ensure that you keep you original purchase receipts for this purpose.

Traveller's cheques and foreign currency can be exchanged during normal banking hours at any of the commercial banks and at Bureau de Change offices.

Visa and MasterCard credit cards are generally accepted, except at petrol stations. They can also be used to withdraw cash at many ATMs.

Tax

All goods and services include value added tax (VAT) of 15%. Visitors may reclaim VAT at the Hosea Kutako International Airport, Eros and Walvis Bay Airport.

Electricity

The electricity supply is 220/240 volts AC. Most plugs have three round pins.

Malaria

Anti-malarial precautions are recommended for the north and east of Namibia, particularly during the rainy season between November and March.

Please seek professional medical advice as to which course of anti-malarial medication, if any, should be taken before you travel. You will usually need to start the course a week or two before entering a malaria-endemic area and for four weeks after leaving the malaria risk area.
The cheapest, safest and often most effective measures against malaria are physical barriers such as a mosquito net, and the use of a good insect repellent.

Vaccinations

Vaccination against hepatitis, polio, tetanus, and typhoid are often recommended. Please consult your doctor for advice.

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