About Namibia

Country Info Namibia

Namibia is located in Southern Africa and has common borders with South Africa, Botswana, Zambia and Angola. There are only 2 inhabitans per sq km (all in all 1.8 million inhabitants). Namibia is one of the least populated countries in the world. For land mass, though, it is more than three times the size of the United Kingdom.The capital Windhoek has 240.000 inhabitants. The 1.8 million Namibians represent 13 ethnic cultures with 16 languages and dialects, including Herero, Nama, Ovambo, Kavango, San, Damara, Germans, British and the so called "Rehoboth Baster" - descendants of 17th- and 18th-century Dutch and French men and indigenous Nama [Khoekhoe] women. Africaans is widely spoken, but since independence the national language is English.

Politics

Namibia has only been an independent, democratic state since 1990. Previously, the country was for more than a hundred years under first German, then British and finally South African rule. Since the German colonial rule from 1884 was called Namibia (German) - "South West Africa". For independence they did not want to offend any of the ethnic groups living in Namibia and chose as namesake the Namib Desert, which occupies the entire coastal area of the country. The country has achieved its independence in a peaceful way and since then has represented a "policy of reconciliation".

Climate and weather

Namibia is a sunny (300 sunny days a year) and semi-arid country. Rainfall generally occurs only in the summer months (November to February). Only the extreme northern areas have ample rainfall. Travelling in Namibia is recommended throughout the year, though the best months are from April to June. Then, the temperature during the day lies at about 25 degrees. The dry winter months (July to September) are also a good time to see the desert country. Daytime temperatures rarely sink below 20 C degrees. However, on the interior plateau and in the Namib, desert night frosts can occur. The summer months are quite hot. Then, Namibians prefer the pleasantly cool coast, especially Swakopmund. The frequent sea mists usually dissolve by midday.

One can cope with the summer temperatures in Windhoek because of the altitude (1650 m). However, the Namib desert should be avoided in summer when temperatures can often rise above 40 degrees Celsius. If travelling during those months, bring along plenty of drinking water. The same applies to the tropically humid northeastern sector.

Currency

Valid means of payment are the Namibian Dollar (N $) and the South African Rand (ZAR). They are in a 1: 1 relationship to each other. 1 South African Rand is approximately 0.061 €. Almost everywhere you can pay by credit card, traveler checks are only partially accepted.

The price level in Namibia is at the European level and can exceed this with purchases. Tipping you can give and calculates with about 10% of the total price.

Time Zone

Summer time: GMT + 2 hours from 1st Sunday in September to 1st Sunday in April.
Winter time: GMT + 1 hour from 1st Sunday in April to 1st Sunday in September.

Mobility - Road Network

Namibia has a well-developed road network - mostly tarred and easy to drive in rural areas as gravel roads. There are enough petrol stations so you do not really have to equip yourself with reserve petrol. Incidentally, sandwiches and hot snacks are also often offered in the petrol stations, so you will never travel hungry. However, you should always have enough to drink for emergencies - preferably a water can. Depending on the area you are traveling in, it is advisable to rent a four-wheel-drive pick-up so that you can also travel through desert sand. In special trucks without windows of the lodges and guest farms, you have a clear view of nature and animals on safari trips.

Traveling through the Namibian Transnamib Railway is rather unusual - after all, there is a 2626-kilometer route network, which mostly dates back to German-Southwest Africa and has been renovated and expanded since the mid-1990s. The few intercity buses in Namibia are not really comfortable, and they are usually crowded at weekends and at the beginning and end of the holiday season. The number one means of transport for short distances in cities and villages are the taxis. Instead of a taxi clock, the price is based on "perceived route length" - with 1 dollar locals come in the taxis, which are always used to last place, for a few kilometers. Tourists have to shell out a lot more ....