About this tour

Start of tour: Windhoek, Namibia
End of tour: Windhoek, Namibia

Departures: Every Saturday

The tour is subject to lodge availability at the time of booking.

Dietary requirements: Please make sure to let us know well in advance, if you have any special dietary requirements

Important Notes:

• There will be a minimum of 2 and a maximum of 10 passengers on this tour.
• The guide is also the driver.
• Due to the possibility of combining tour modules, passenger numbers and tour guides may vary ver the course of the tour.
• Air-conditioned vehicles are used, however bear in mind that Namibia is predominately desert terrain, so expect dusty roads and high temperatures.
• Pre- and post nights in Windhoek may be required due to an early departure on the first tour day and possible late arrival on the last tour day.
• Pick-up and drop off at any central Windhoek hotel or guest house is included

PRACTICAL INFORMATION ABOUT NAMIBIA:

Capital: Windhoek

Time Difference: GMT +2 hours

International Dialling Code: +264

Main languages: English, German, Afrikaans.

Electricity: 220-230V, 15 amps AC 50Hz.  Round 3 pin type outlets. If you bring any electrical devices, including camera battery chargers, you may need to purchase adapters, which are widely available at electrical stores and airports. Travellers from North America will need to purchase a foreign travel voltage converter, which are available from electrical stores.

Climate/Best time to visit: Namibia is a very sunny country and it is pleasant to visit at any time of the year. Because of the Namib Desert, the climate is generally very dry. Namibia experiences summer rainfall (November to April). January and February are hot, when daytime temperatures in the interior of the country can exceed 40ºC, but nights are usually cool. Winter nights can be cold, but days are generally warm and quite nice.

Malaria

The northern part of Namibia (around Etosha and northwards) is considered to be a malaria risk area and appropriate protection should be taken here, particularly during the Summer months. The rest of Namibia is considered to be virtually malaria free. Mosquitoes bite most at sunrise and sunset, although they can bite throughout the day. Wear long sleeves and trousers at these times and apply insect repellent if in a malarial area. Also, speak to your health provider about appropriate prophylactics if you are planning to spend an extended period in a malarial zone.

Money

Currency: Namibia is a member of the South African Monetary Area and therefore pegs its own currency, the Namibian dollar, 1:1 to the South African Rand (ZAR). Both the Namibian Dollar (N$) and the ZAR are legal tender in Namibia, although change will normally be in Namibian dollars. Smaller purchases are usually conducted in N$.

Credit Cards (Visa, Mastercard and Diners Club) are accepted in most of the larger hotels, stores and restaurants, although it is always wise to check first. American Express is less commonly accepted. You can draw money on a credit card at banks, and this may be an easier way to access currency than bringing travellers’ cheques.

Note: If self-driving be aware that some petrol stations accept cash only and will not accept credit cards.

Cash machines (ATMs): Are available in Windhoek, Swakopmund and Luderitz and some of the other larger towns.

Prices: by most standards, Namibia is a cheap country to visit. Prices in stores are fixed but it is acceptable to haggle in markets. Please remember to be respectable when haggling.

Exchange rates: For the latest exchange rates please check an online currency converter such as www.xe.com. On 1st October 2011 the rates of exchange were as follows:

1 euro buys 11 N$

1 US$ buys 8.3 N$

1 ZAR buys 1 N$

1 GBP buys 12.75 N$

Clothing. To get the best from your holiday it is advisable to bring loose fitting cotton clothing. Long shorts are fine for men, although long trousers are considered the norm in most towns and villages. For women, knee length skirts or shorts are advised as Namibians generally dress conservatively.

Make sure you pack something warm, such as a fleece, for the chillier evenings or rides back to camp in open-sided vehicles. Desert areas can get very cold at night, so consider this when packing and bring a long-sleeved jacket or jumper. Some of the larger stores in Windhoek sell excellent safari clothing.

Also, make sure you bring a hat to keep the sun off you as sun stroke is always a risk in southern Africa.

Food & drink: The food in restaurants and lodges is generally European cuisine, with a bias towards German type dishes as well as plenty of seafood. Most dishes contain meat, although there are a growing number of vegetarian options. Hygiene standards are high and cases of food poisoning rare.

Water direct from the tap is safe to drink in major towns and cities, otherwise bottled water is widely available. The usual range of soft drinks is sold in Namibia, as well as several local brands of German-style beer (i.e lager). Namibia’s proximity to South Africa means that many good wines are available.

If you have any dietary requirements please contact us in advance of your trip.

Mobile phones: Network coverage is, on the whole, very good in Namibia. With the exception of remote areas such as the Skeleton Coast and Etosha, there is a relatively strong signal in most towns and along roads. This map shows where is covered and where is not.

Duty free: Each traveller is allowed to bring 400 cigarettes, 2 litres of wine and 1 litre of spirits into the country without paying tax.

Tipping: Leaving around 10% in restaurants for good service is appreciated, but not compulsory – check first that a service charge has not already been levied. Furthermore, anyone who carries your bags, cleans your windscreen or looks after your vehicle should be given some change. In terms of tour guides, a general ballpark figure of 40 N$ (USD 5) per day if they provided a good service should be given.

Visa and entry requirements: All travellers to Namibia need to be in possession of a valid passport that has at least 6 months left to run and a return/ongoing ticket. Visitors from the UK, USA, Japan, Canada, Australia and most EU countries will automatically be granted a 90 day tourist permit on arrival but should bring two passport photos with them. Visitors from other nations should check with their local Namibian embassy for conditions.

Luggage allowances: On flights into and out of southern Africa the usual luggage allowance is 20kg (44lbs) of checked in baggage. On buses between long distance destinations on your safari holiday some drivers will not accept more than two suitcases per passenger, but there are no hard and fast rules and many will accept more. Be aware that if you are taking a flight on a light aircraft the rules are much stricter and you will probably only be allowed to bring 15kg maximum of ‘soft’ luggage i.e. no suitcases.

Remember to pack:

-          The right clothing

-          Sun block and lip salve

-          Insect repellent

-          Camera, with any extra memory cards, lenses etc.

-          Simple medical kit with any medication

-          A cheap waterproof watch

-          A good guidebook to the country

Please enquire about renting binoculars if you are not planning to bring your own.

Internet access is available at most lodges and hotels in Namibia. Please enquire for specific details.

Cancellation policy

If you have to cancel your tour the following general cancellation terms apply regarding refunds. These may vary slightly depending upon the type of tour and number of rooms booked, so please contact us for further details which relate to a specific tour:

More than 60 days before arrival: no fee unless special conditions apply

60-30 days before arrival: 50% of the rooms may be cancelled at no charge; the rest will be charged 20%.

29-15 days before arrival: 10% of the rooms may be cancelled at 20% charge. The rest will be charged 100%.

14-0 days before arrival: no refund given.