Tips When Travelling to Namibia, Tips For Traveling to Namibia, Travel Tips to Namibia Guide

Tips when traveling to Namibia or Namibia travel tips are necessary for a great trip for any traveler to this desert country in Southern Africa. This article will provide you with all the necessary information that you require for your Namibia travels so you can enjoy incredible road trips, that are safe, comfortable, and with the best preparations.

Although this desert country is among the less visited tourist destinations, visiting Namibia is worth your road-tripping safaris.

Visiting Namibia will expose you to various tourist destinations, for example, Etosha National Park, the Namib Desert, and the Fish River Canyon where you will get to explore various wildlife.

Come up close with different wild animals for example Giraffes, Elephants, Black Rhinos, and Lions in their natural habitat. Get to visit the abandoned ghost town that is now that is now being taken over by the desert.

This sparsely populated country is known to many as the ultimate guide and introductory destination to begin incredible African safaris.

Namibia road trips that are well prepared for come with the best experiences and this guide is meant to enlighten you on how to prepare for your Namibia travels.

This article includes practical guides and Namibia travel tips for successful road trips to this dry desert country.

The History in Namibia | Namibia has an interesting History

Namibia travel tips also provide a history of the country. The Apartheid history of Namibia is the same as that in South Africa and although it was not as bad as it was in South Africa, there is still a social division in the desert country.

However, the country was a German colony in the 19th century which explains why there are various German influences, especially in the architecture even in the present. Also, most visitors to the country are Germans.

Before that, Namibia was first inhabited by the Khoisan people in the 19th century but Germans later took over South West Africa including Namibia.

The Herero and the Namaqua rebelled against the Germans from 1904 to 1907 and due to this 80% of the Herero and about half of the Namaqua population was wiped out of this desert country.

Attractions in Namibia

Namibia boasts various incredible attractions in its protected areas like the Etosha National Park, Fish River Canyon, and Namib Desert, among others.

The dry desert country is known for its amazing nature that covers a Desert environment. The landscape of this country comprises Canyons, dry river beds, rocks, and sand dunes. The Caprivi Strip is much more fertile for the people.

Below, Namibia travel tips provide some of the attractions to explore in Namibia.

The Wildlife at Etosha National Park

One of the best places to expect some amazing wildlife sightings in Africa is Etosha NP in Namibia. The park will give you amazing sights of the Jackals, Zebras, Wildebeest, Ostriches, and Lions, among others.

On top of meeting the various wild animals, the entrance fee is also cheaper compared to the park in other destinations.

The park also boasts a wide saltpan and beautiful country waterfalls.

Sossusvlei & the Namib Desert

The Sossusvlei and the Namib Desert are some of the best attractions in the dry desert country and are recognized as the world’s oldest desert.

Sossusvlei which is found in Africa’s largest conservation Area which is the Namib-Naukluft National Park boasts the white salt pan, Deadvlei, and the red sand dunes that beautifully portray an amazing experience. At the Sossusvlei, you will get to explore the Dune 45, Sesriem Canyon, Deadvlei, Hiddenvlei, and Big Daddy.

Namibia Has Ghost Towns

The Kolmanskop Ghost Town is found in the South West corner of Southern Namibia. Although these main towns are now empty since they are being taken over by the desert, they had people living in them around 1908. They had homes, a bowling alley, a hospital, and a ballroom.

However by 1954, the towns were abandoned as some of its residents moved further to Southern Namibia to look for richer diamonds when their diamonds became less valuable after the First World War.

An empty ghost town now remains as one of the remote areas and is being taken over by the sands.

You can get a permit to visit Kolmanskop Town at $75 per adult, $50 for kids, and $230 for professional photography permits.

Swakopmund & Walvis Bay

Swakopmund is the largest town in this desert country known for its excellent resorts. It carries the architecture of the Germans but with an African touch.

Walvis Bay is Namibia’s second largest city found on the coast. The Walvis Bay waters protect various sea creatures including the various Flamingoes and the Southern Right Whales. By visiting Walvis Bay, you will experience various activities like fishing, among others.

Windhoek City

Windhoek city is an incredible place to explore and begin or end your safari in the unique desert country. However, it is best to spend more time exploring other tourist destinations in the country and a shorter time in Windhoek city.

The various places to visit in Windhoek City include the Parliament Gardens, the Old Breweries Craft Market, one of the beer houses, and Christuskirche also known as the Christ Church

The Namib Desert Circles

Explore the desert areas of Namib and find out the beauty of the desert circles in the world’s oldest desert. Scientists believe that they are caused by termites while the locals refer to them as the “footprints of the gods.”

Other captivating attractions in Namibia are the Cape Cross Seal Colony where you will get to explore various Cape Fur seals, and Walvis Bay which has a lot of Flamingos and thousands of the Oryx to watch in the Desert.

Skeleton Coast

The skeleton coast will reveal the remains of the shipwrecks in the remote areas of the coast. Visiting the Skeleton Coast will you to visit the nomadic Himba tribe that lives in the area.

Damaraland

Damaraland protects a wide formation of Spitzkoppe, Brandberg, and the Vigerklip with the old rock art of Twyfelfontein that is beautiful for your adventures. The most common one is climbing activities.

Fish River Canyon

The Fish River Canyon is the world’s second largest canyon with a depth of about 550 m. Although Fish River Canyon is among the least visited destinations in Namibia due to its distance from the other tourist attractions, it is a place worth going to.

Crossing the Border

Unlike other South African countries like South Africa, border crossing in Namibia has proven to be a bit easier.

The Namibia travel tips for border crossing will require a passport and the Yellow Fever vaccination certificate will only be required by travelers who are 9 months and older, or who stay at the country’s airport like Windhoek Airport or Hosea Kutako International Airport for more than 12 hours from a country with a high risk of Yellow Fever.

Neighboring countries going for their visiting Namibia experience will pay cash of about N$295.

There are other documents that you will need for your Namibia safaris especially when you are hiring a vehicle and a driver.

1. Letter of authority from the company that you have hired from.
2. A motor insurance certificate that you can get from the border at a free cost.
3. A driver’s valid passport.
4. Certified copy of the registration papers of the vehicle.
5. A ZA sticker for travelers coming from South Africa.

Namibia Travel Tips: 27 Essential Things to Know Before You Visit Namibia

Visiting Namibia Needs Planning and Research

When planning for your road trip to visit Namibia, you will need to do research as the beginning part of your plan to go visit this destination. This includes selecting the number of days that you would like to spend in the country, the places that you want to visit, and whether you are using a tour operator or not. It also includes whether you will visit other neighboring countries like South Africa and Botswana.

Book your accommodation in advance to make sure that you have a great trip to the protected areas is at least booked 6 months in advance.

Book in Advance

Since Namibia is among the remote areas in Africa, certain services in the country are limited for example accommodation. Therefore, it is important to book with your hotel at least 6 months before your great trip commences to your chosen destination.

The Etosha National Park especially has the most visitors and so the accommodations are sometimes fully booked, especially in the high season. Booking with a tour operator is much easier and more flexible as they will help you book at the right time for your upcoming trip to Namibia. They will also provide you with the best Namibia travel tips.

Prepare a Good Itinerary

An itinerary will help you plan for the activities and other engagements for each day while you are on your safari. It helps you to plan accordingly for your trip, knowing the specific days and the exact time for your safaris.

By booking with a safari company, your itinerary will be specially made uniquely for you to suit your lifestyle and needs for the trip as you explore both the city and the rural areas.

The Internet in the Country

The network is poor thus making the internet and WI FI a bit slow for most visitors to the country. The WI FI is not in every place but you get yourself a sim card and buy data cheaply even though getting a signal is still hard with it, especially in remote areas.

Photography in Namibia

Namibia is among the best places on earth to go for your photography safaris because it has a marvelous scenery to behold as you take amazing pictures.

Be ready to explore the captivating sights of Sossusvlei, the open plains of the desert, and the unique wildlife of the country for amazing pictures.

The Namibian Dollar is the Same as the South African Rand

The Namibian Dollar shares the same currency with its neighboring South Africa, Swaziland, and Lesotho. You will receive change in the South African Rand which is widely accepted and used in the country.

Apart from the South African Rand Namibia Dollar/ Namibian Dollar or the US Dollars, however, you are also allowed to use credit cards that are likewise widely accepted in many hotels and gas stations/petrol stations, among other places.

Plan Your Driving Times Well

Due to the different weather conditions in the destination, daytime is shorter so it is best to plan for your activities especially self-driving in Namibia which should take about a few hours of 4 to 5.

The maximum speed for self-driving in Namibia is 80km/hour and you can have a drive that is organized by your lodge in addition to other activities like sundowners.

On your journey, you will do self-driving in Namibia alongside the sand dunes, wild animals, canyons, and landscapes, among others.

Check if You Need an International Driver’s License

Travelers who are going to do self driving in Namibia will need an international driver’s license, especially if their license is not in English or if they are staying in the country for more than 90 days. It is also advisable that your car has insurance as it will help in case of any emergencies and rental car insurance is a must-have in the country. Carrying a spare tire is also recommended during your road trip because of the conditions of the road which are tire shredders.

Another recommendation for your rental car is that the tank must have fuel that you can buy from the petrol stations/gas stations so that it is full at all times. It is recommended to fill up at every petrol station that you meet because the distances between the towns are quite long.

Additionally, we also advise that you book a 4×4 vehicle because of the gravel road between Windhoek to Swakopmund or Etosha NP while on a road trip to Namibia.

Visit Etosha National Park at the End of Your Trip (North-Bound Itinerary)

Etosha National Park is considered the most beautiful place to explore in Namibia so it is important to explore during your trip and visiting it at the end of your trip will wrap up the safari beautifully.

In case your Namibia itinerary is already drafted and exploring Etosha is not the last, you will also enjoy your safari in Namibia. The other places to explore in Namibia are Damaraland, Sossusvlei, and Fish River Canyon which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

At the end of your trip, you may also take a short tour of South Africa to visit Cape Town or the other neighboring countries.

Remember Temperatures are Extreme

With our Namibia travel tips, we also recommend that being a desert country, Namibia is dry with intense high temperatures that will expose you to sunburn, sun poisoning, and heat stroke. However in the night, especially during winter, it can get very cold.

Drinking a lot of bottled water, especially in the dry season, and protecting your skin from sunburn will protect you a lot.

Pack Warm Clothes if you Traveling in Namibia in July or August

July and August are winter months in the country thus carrying warm clothing is required as it can get very cold, especially in the night. Carry warm clothing like sweaters, long trousers, socks, gloves, scarves, shawls, and comfortable shoes to keep you warm during these winter months.

Your comfortable shoes will help you walk through the stones and sand much more easily. Walking through the sand dunes, however, is much easier without shoes although you may need socks to prepare for the lots of sand since the sand can get hot under the sun.

Other items to pack for your Namibia explorations as part of your Namibia travel tips include an electrical adapter, power bank, good camera equipment, etc.

What to Pack for your Namibia Tour

Below, we list the various necessary items to pack for your Namibia trip as one of our Namibia travel tips. These are also the most important that most visitors carry for their road trip to Namibia.

Where is Namibia and is Namibia Safe for Tourists?

Namibia in Southern Africa lies in South West Africa on the West Coast and is among the other African countries that are safe, both in the main towns and in the villages.

The country is the only place in the world where you can meet a quadripoint that it shares with Botswana, Zimbabwe, and Zambia.

Southern Namibia is bordered by South Africa, Botswana in the East, Angola in the North, and Zambia in the North East.

The Tropic of Capricorn also passes through the country, making it an amazing destination to go to while you visit Namibia.

Know That Namibia is one of the Safest Countries in Africa

Namibia is among the safest African nations. Although among the safest countries, you should however take Namibia safe measures like locking your hotel room or your rental car as you may be risking your belongings. Also, self driving in Namibia will need carefulness and carrying a spare tire while in the country because the long distances are on roads full of gravel.

English is the official language of the country, thus making it a less intimidating place for tourists who go to visit Namibia. Locals are also friendly to travelers thus making them more approachable to travelers.

Solo female travelers will also feel the Namibia safe environment during their travels.

What are General Safety Tips in Namibia?

Although the country is safe, make sure that you lock all the doors to your rooms and do not let your guard down. Also, keep vigilant while withdrawing money from ATMs, and do not leave your property in the rental cars unattended to or locked.

You will always find a car guard who is willing to keep your car at a small fee to avoid petty crime issues.

Enjoy the Food

Namibia prepares delicious food and the restaurants have amazing things for the people. They have both European and unique African food and you can have special meals prepared for you especially when pre-ordered.

Most hotels will provide for you breakfast and dinner, so you may need to cater for lunch on your day trips. In case you can pack food from your hotel or lodge, then we recommend it. Also, carry a bottle of drinking water or bottled water with you.

Some places will prepare you delicious game meat like Impala, Warthog, Kudu, Zebra and Oryx that is in most lodges. The country mostly prepares meaty food so vegans and vegetarians may have a hard time with food selection while in the country. However, you may shop for your preferred food in the stores.

In case you do not eat meat, then it is best to communicate with your tour operator or lodge about it such that they prepare you a preferred meal.

Don’t be Afraid to Drink the Tap Water

Tap water is safe for drinking, although it is also scarce, especially on your road trip to Namibia. The water is cleaned by underground aquifers, which are among some of the best natural filters on earth, in the Kalahari Sands.

However, since the country is a desert area with water sources, it is important to be water-mindful and be able to save drinking water.

Health and Travel Insurance

However healthy the conditions are, it is important to have health and travel insurance while visiting Namibia. Malaria is mostly in the northern part of the country but you will need insect repellant in some areas to keep away insect bites and disturbances.

Unlike other African nations, Namibia does not require you to have a Yellow Fever Vaccination Card.

Note that the health centers are quite far away and it takes about a half day’s self-driving in Namibia so it is important to move with medicines and medical tools in your basic first aid kit. Carry painkillers, mosquito repellent, and antiseptic cream.

However, having good travel insurance will allow you to have a medical evacuation much more easily by air to the nearest country or back home for the best treatment.

Tipping is Expected

Namibia’s currency is the same as that in South Africa and as a way to appreciate the service providers in the country, you may have to tip them so have smaller banknotes for this course.

Although you can use credit cards in most hotels and petrol stations, it is still important that you move and pay cash.

Laundry Service

You can get laundry service in the different lodges of the country but the price depends on the lodge that you stay in. Luxury hotels will charge more expensively than budget lodges, but there are maids in hotels who can wash your clothes cheaply.

Protect Your Gadgets

The dusty air in Namibia may spoil your electronics thus risking your gadgets and causing them to get spoilt. Therefore pack all your gadgets well before visiting Namibia for example laptops, cameras, and phones, among others.

Respect the Local Culture

There are many tribes in Namibia, especially in the rural areas for example the Himba and the San among others. You will experience the beautiful braided hair of the Himba people, which is a symbol of their age or marital status.

By visiting Namibia in these areas, you will get to understand the life of some of the semi-nomadic culture, lifestyle, and customs.

Respecting and visiting Namibia’s local communities will grant you the best traditional experiences for the local communities to experience.

You may take an adventure of taking photos of the local people and their environment.

Wildlife and Conservation

Namibia conserves about 42% of its land to protect the wildlife. Conservation is among the most treasured activities of the country governed by its constitution.

We do not advise that you go hunting and throw rubbish in the environment. While in the sand dunes, be careful to not destroy the remaining plants, animals, and nature in their natural environment.

Some of the waste products that you can use as a way of being mindful of the environment include bamboo toothbrushes, reusable bags, reusable metal straws, solid shampoo metallic reusable water bottles instead of bottled water, and moisturizer, among others.

Do Some Adrenaline Activities on your Namibia Safaris

Great adventure activities occur in the colonial town of Swakopmund and some of them include skydiving, power kiting, and quad biking, among others.

Costs to Consider When Travelling to Namibia | How Much Money Should I Bring to Namibia?

Namibia travel is rarely cheap, being one of the countries with the least number of people in the world. Most lodges will go for more than $ 100 and the cheaper options are getting camping gear to camp which roughly costs $ 30. The cost of meals ranges between $10 to $15.

However, other things like hiring rental cars or park entrance will cost about $30 and $6 respectively. You may also pay in the Namibian Dollar or the South African Rand which are also widely accepted, especially if your already exchanged the money.

Unlike other countries where you can easily find public transport, Namibia will require you to hire vehicles and drive or hire a driver. You can also hire a car guard to protect your car, especially in urban areas.

Public transport like local buses are mostly used within major national parks and other tourist destinations of the country as the country is wide for your explorations.

Backpacker accommodation will be manageable for your safaris to save money as you visit the country.

You Need to Know the Best Time to Visit Namibia

Each season for a Namibia visit will grant you exceptional experiences. The dry season is a great time to watch the various animals of Etosha National Park as they surround the water holes to get water.

The dry months are from June to August and December to February and it is also the best time for a road trip in the beautiful country.

However, the low wet season is also great as the tourist destinations are less crowded. However, animals may not come to the water halls to drink because of the plenty of rainwater to drink during the wet season. The wet season is from March to May and from September to November.

Visiting in the right season whether the dry season or the wet season will also allow you to explore other neighboring countries depending on your itinerary for example South Africa’s visit to Cape Town.

Namibia has a Great Choice of Accommodation

Planning where to stay is an interesting venture in Namibia.  Finding accommodation is quite a hustle as the country is mostly in the remote areas of the desert. Outside the major towns like Windhoek city, the lodges in the beautiful country areas are so spaced that you will have to drive for a few hours to reach a specific destination.

Getting tent camping gear in Namibia is quite strenuous so we advise travelers who would like to camp to hire a 4×4 camper vehicle which accommodates about 2 to 4 people thus a great number for a small family or a couple.

Below are examples of the best accommodation facilities in Namibia for your Namibia travel tips.

1. Windhoek: Tenbergen Pension Hotel, Olive Groove Guest and The Weinberg Windhoek
2. Etosha National Park: Etosha Safari Camp, Onguma Lodge and Etosha Oberland Lodge
3. Fish River Canyon: Gondwana Canyon Village, Gondwana Canyon Lodge, and Fish River Lodge
4. Sossusvlei: Desert Camp, Sossusvlei Lodge, and Little Sossus Lodge
5. Swakopmund: Namibia Nights Acommodation, Hotel A La Mer, and Swakopmund Luxury Suites
6. Damaraland: Twyfelfontein Country Lodge, Camp Kipwe and Wilderness Safaris Doro Nawas
7. Aus: Orange House Self Catering, Aloe Rock House and Bahnhof Hotel

Don’t Stay for Long in Windhoek

Windhoek is a small city that you can explore in half a day. As you plan for your Namibia itinerary, ensure that you spend most of your time in the remote areas and it will be more adventurous.

Instead, you may explore Swakopmund where you can have various day trips through the desert.

How Long Should I Stay in Namibia? | How Many Days Is Enough in Namibia?

Two weeks is the recommended amount of time necessary for your Namibia travels. The days will allow you to explore this destination more extensively, especially in the major tourist destinations and national parks like Etosha National Park, Swakopmund, Sand Dunes, and Kolmanskop, among others.

English and German are Widely Spoken

English and German are the two major languages spoken in the country, although English is the official language. However, there are also other native languages like Oshiwambo which is known by at least 49% of the population.

How to Get to Namibia

International visitors travel to Namibia by air and they land at the east of Windhoek or Windhoek Airport. The common airlines that fly most visitors visiting Namibia include KLM, South African Airways, and British Airways.

Is Driving in Namibia Dangerous?

Driving in Namibia is not dangerous, but is tough, especially for first-timers. The roads are full of gravel and they can shred tires during your long trip to Namibia.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Namibia Worth Visiting?

Visiting Namibia is among the best experiences to have in Africa. It is a unique place on earth and exploring it will expose you to a lot of uniqueness compared to other places in Africa.

You will have an amazing exploration when you visit Etosha National Park wildlife, the sand dunes of Sossusvlei, Fish River Canyon, Swakopmund, which looks like a German town, and Spitzkoppe Mountain, among others.

Do you Need a Visa to Go to Namibia?

While some countries will need visas for visiting Namibia, others will not need and they include America, South Africa, Britain, Japan, Australia, Germany, and Canada for 90 days.

Countries that will need to process a tourist visa as they visit Namibia are China, Greece, South Korea, and tourists coming from Eastern Europe.

Check with your country’s advice on how to travel effectively while visiting Namibia.

What Injections Do I Need for Namibia? | What Vaccinations Do You Need for Namibia?

Although most medications and vaccinations are not required while traveling to Namibia, The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) recommend that you vaccinate against Hepatitis A and B, Meningitis, Rabies, Pneumonia, Chickenpox, and Influenza.

Do I Need to Take Malaria Tablets for Namibia?

It is advisable to take Malaria tablets because some parts of the country, especially the North have a high Malaria risk.

Is Tipping Customary in Namibia?

The tipping culture is not compulsory, although it is very much appreciated by the receivers and thus customary by many travelers as one of their Namibia travel tips.

Book a Safari in Namibia

Plan and book your Namibia trip with us today to experience the best in this Southern African country. Explore and experience amazing travels in the country the best Namibia travel tips as you visit different places for example Etosha National Park, Namib Desert, and the beautiful country sand dunes.

Book today to enjoy professional Namibia travel tips from our African safari expert. Namibia travel tips from our African safari expert.