Namibia offers the visitor bountiful sunshine, abundance of wildlife, scenic beauty and rich diversity of geological phenomena.

The friendliness and cultural diversity of its people, a well-developed infrastructure and an extensive choice of parks, resorts and accommodation establishments make it a sought-after tourist destination to which visitors return again and again.

For sportsmen and adventurers Namibia has much to offer. Activities include soaring, hiking, hot-air ballooning, dune skiing, mountain biking, white-river rafting, hunting, equestrian sports and excellent coastal and freshwater angling.

Namibia derived its name from the Namib Desert, a unique geological feature renowned for the pristine and haunting quality of its landscape. Far from being lifeless and barren, this narrow strip of moist coastal desert features an unusual variety of desert-adapted flora and fauna, including a large number of endemic plant, bird, reptile and insect species.

Visitors Information
Entry Requirements
A valid passport is required to enter Namibia.
Visas are needed except for nationals from Angola, Austria, Belgium, Botswana, Canada, Germany, Luxembourg, France, Italy, Ireland, Japan, Liechtenstein, Mozambique, the Netherlands, the Nordic Countries, Russia, Singapore, Malaysia, Australia, New Zealand, Spain, Portugal, South-Africa, the United Kingdom, the United States of America, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

Visas are obtained from the Ministry of Home Affairs, Private Bag 13200, Windhoek, at Namibian Embassies and at Namibia Tourist Offices in Johannesburg and Cape Town.

Climate
Typical semi-desert - hot days and cool nights. Midsummer temperatures can rise to over 40°C. Winter days are warm but dawn temperatures may drop to freezing.
Along the coast it is cool with low rainfall and fog prevails from late afternoon until mid-morning.
The rainy season lasts from October to April. The rest of the year is dry and cloudless. Namibia averages 300 days of sunshine a year.

What to pack
As temperatures can be very high during the summer months, clothing made from cotton is preferable. During winter, light clothing, combined with a sweater and/or jacket is recommended, as it becomes cold in the evenings and early mornings.
Important items to pack: comfortable walking shoes, swimsuits, binoculars, sun hats and sunglasses, sun block, mosquito repellent and battery-operated or conventional razors for visiting remote areas.

Credit Cards
International cards are widely accepted throughout the country, including most Government rest camps, hotels, shops and restaurants.

Currency
Namibian Dollar (N$), divided into 100 cents. Notes of N$10, N$20, N$50 and N$100 are in circulation. South African notes and coins are also legal tender.

Drinking Water
All water from taps is purified and visitors need have no hesitation in drinking it.

Driving Tips
In Namibia one drives on the left; the general speed limit is 60 km/h in built up areas and 120 km/h on open roads. Reduce speed when driving on gravel roads.
Overseas visitors intending to drive in Namibia must carry a valid international driving license. Slow speeds are essential at night when the animals are dazzled be headlights.

Electrical Appliances
All run on 220/240 volts. Outlets are of the round 3-pin, 15 amp types.

Health
The dry climate of Namibia is extremely healthy and most tropical diseases are unknown. Vaccinations are only required if the visitors should take precautions when traveling in Etosha, Ovambo and Caprivi.

Language
The official language is English and all documents, notices and directional signs are in this language. German and Afrikaans are also used throughout the country and there are numerous African languages and dialects which fall into two main groups: Bantu and Khoisan.

Medical
By virtue of Namibia's vast size and the remoteness of many venues, high costs are involved when illness or accidents occur. Travel insurance covering baggage and valuables plus accident should be considered before departure.

Time
Summer: 1st Sunday in Sep - 1st Sunday in Apr: +2 hrs GMT
Winter: 1st Sunday in Apr - 1st Sunday in Sep: +1 hrs GMT