Namibia Safaris & Tours

Namibia offers some of Africa’s most dramatic desert landscapes and wildlife habitats, with the best regions to explore including Sossusvlei, Etosha National Park, the Skeleton Coast, Damaraland and the Namib Desert.

Sossusvlei & Namib Desert: Sossusvlei’s towering red dunes create one of the world’s most spectacular desert landscapes for exploration.

Etosha National Park: Etosha’s vast salt pan and surrounding savannah support exceptional wildlife viewing.

Skeleton Coast: The remote Skeleton Coast reveals dramatic desert coastline where dunes meet the Atlantic Ocean.

Damaraland: Damaraland’s rugged mountains and desert plains are home to ancient rock engravings and desert-adapted wildlife.

Namib Desert Wilderness: The Namib Desert contains some of the planet’s oldest desert landscapes.

The best time to travel to Namibia for wildlife viewing, hiking and adventure touring is generally May to October, when cooler temperatures and dry conditions make exploring desert landscapes more comfortable.

Namibia has an arid desert climate with warm days and cooler nights. Temperatures typically range between 10°C and 35°C (50°F–95°F).

The summer months from November to April bring occasional rains that transform desert landscapes with fresh greenery and seasonal wildlife activity.

Namibia is +2 hours ahead of UTC/GMT

Afrikaans, German and English were Namibia’s three official languages during the apartheid years, but since independence the government has made English the sole official language. However, English is the primary home language of only around 3% of the population.

The most widely spoken languages are Ovambo (aka Oshiwambo, spoken by the majority of the total population); Khoekhoe (aka Nama); Afrikaans; Kwangali (aka RuKwangali); Herero (aka Otjiherero). Various indigenous Bantu and Khoisan languages are also spoken by minorities. Khoisan languages include 'clicks' which usually pose significant linguistic difficulties to English-speaking visitors. Khoekhoe (aka Nama) is one of the most widely spoken Khoisan languages, with a quarter of a million speakers in Namibia

Of the white minority, more than 60% speak Afrikaans as their primary language, with 32% speaking German as their first language

Many Namibians speak two or more indigenous languages and at least a little of two of the three European languages (English, German and Afrikaans)

Where as many black South Africans see Afrikaans negatively as ‘the language of apartheid’, Namibians see the language as an essential and useful means of communication, stemming back to the high number of marriages between Afrikaner and black Namibian couples. Today, Afrikaans is the closest thing to Namibia’s national lingua franca

Dollar (divided into cents)

The Namibian Dollar is tied permanently 1-1 to the South African Rand (ZAR). ZAR notes and coins are legal tender in Namibia.

We recommend that you travel with your local currency (EUR, USD, AUD, NZD, GBP) in CASH as this is the easiest way to change into local currency of the country you are travelling in.

Travel with some ZAR cash or US Dollar cash, preferably in small denominations. Pre-2006 USD notes are not accepted due to the high number of counterfeits in circulation.

Most lodges visited are able to accept credit cards for meals however, American Express and Diners are NOT readily accepted.

Credit cards can be used in Windhoek but should not be relied upon as your only form of cash.

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Electricity in Namibia is 220 Volts, at 50 hertz. The most common pin types are D (3 pin round) and M.

A visa is now required for most nationalities. Please ensure you get this beforehand as it is not possible to get at most border posts. You will need to apply for a Visa On Arrival (VOA) Online Application - NOT a Holiday visa. This automatically gives you a multiple entry visa, and valid for 90 days from the date of issue. Fees apply. Below is the link for the online VOA applications: https://eservices.mhaiss.gov.na/visaonarrival

The VOA Online Application must be completed electronically before arrival into Namibia. The visa costs NAD 1,600 (approximately USD90) for citizens from non-African countries (fees are subject to an annual review).

To apply for the visa you will require the below documentation:

For Visa on Arrival (VOA) Online applications: A valid passport with 6 months validity and 3 blank pages. Accurately completed Online Visa Application Form. Approved and printed E-visa Permit.

Travellers arriving in Namibia with Visa on Arrival online approval must ensure that they are prepared to present CONFIRMATION of any visa requirements as per online application completed, upon entry if requested by Immigration.

Regulations are in place for people travelling with children to/from Namibia. Anyone who is a minor (less than 18 years) must produce a certified copy of their unabridged (original) birth certificate in addition to a valid passport.

If the child is not travelling with both parents named on their birth certificate a statutory declaration or affidavit must be given by the parent/s or legal guardian/s who are not accompanying the child, declaring that they give consent for the accompanying adult/s or legal guardian/s to travel with the child. This should be done and signed before a Justice of Peace. Other additional documents may also be required; for example – death certificate (if one parent is deceased); copies of their parents’/legal guardians’ passports or identity documents; contact details of the minor’s parents/legal guardians. If the new requirements are not met, then boarding can be denied by any airline flying to/from Namibia, or travellers may be turned back at the border. If this applies to you, please make enquiries with your respective Namibia consulate/mission to confirm, as the conditions frequently change. We can assist with contact details of the relevant authorities if required.

In-person Visa on Arrival applications require: A valid passport with 6 months validity and 3 blank pages. Completed Visa on Arrival Application Form. Invitation letter (if required, note not needed for tourism purposes). Confirmation of accommodation and travel bookings/plans. Confirmation of Medical/Travel Insurance. Full birth certificate and parental consent letter if travelling with children.

Follow these steps to apply online for your visa:

1: Open the MHAISS website: https://eservices.mhaiss.gov.na

2: Choose Visa on Arrival , register and select country of origin

3: Complete ALL the required details

4: If accepted proceed and Submit Payment

5: Print your E-Visa Permit for presentation in Namibia

6: Complete the New Namibia Arrival Form (to be signed at the Immigration counter in presence of official ).

Your safety is our number one concern. Our safety track record is exemplary thanks to careful management and thorough consultation with local partners. Our industry leading risk management procedures have become a skill that we continue to refine. Our leaders in the field are highly trained and have safety as their number one priority. Expert leaders, risk assessments, quality inclusions and your financial security all come standard when you travel with us.

Please refer to our Travel Advisory page for updates on recent events, travel warnings and advice.

We strongly recommend that all clients take out travel insurance at the time of booking to cover against sickness, accident, loss of baggage, unexpected alterations to travel arrangements and travel disruption, emergency evacuation, cancellations, etc. Insurance information is enclosed with your pre-departure information. Please contact us if you would like to obtain a quote for your trip duration.

We suggest that you consult your doctor, local government inoculation centre or a travel medical specialist in order to get the most current advice regarding vaccination requirements.

Money and valuables should always be stored safely when travelling. Keep your passport with you at all times and do not leave it in your main luggage. You will need it to change money and check into hotels. Where safety deposit boxes are available, we recommend that you use them. Keep jewellery and valuables to a minimum.