TAILORMADE LUXURY SAFARIS
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NAMIBIA - SAFARIS, TOURS AND TRAVEL
Namibia offers endless safe and exciting safari travel options, so it’s worth planning ahead to ensure that you experience the very best of your holiday in this incredible country. We have come up with a few frequently asked questions listed below. Should you have any further queries, please do not hesitate to contact us.
ABOUT NAMIBIA
ACCESS Q:What method of transportation is recommended to reach Namibia? A: Namibia is easily accessible by scheduled flights from Johannesburg and Cape Town (South Africa) to Windhoek or Walvis Bay. Scheduled flights from Maun (Botswana) and Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe) to Windhoek are also available. Regular flights also operate between Windhoek or Walvis Bay and Swakopmund/ Windhoek and Etosha. We can pre-book and package all of your regional/internal flights and transfers.
Q: How do I get around in Namibia? A: Namibia is an ideal self-drive destination although distances between major centres are considerable. In addition to self-drive and car rental, there are various methods of travelling around Namibia from shuttle/charter flights to trains and coaches, as well as a range of exciting Guided Safaris. Our expert travel consultants will assist you every step of the way to ensure seamless and safe travel arrangements…read more. [link to Getting around Namibia page]
AFRICAN WILDLIFE Q:What are the characteristic animal species of Namibia? A: Namibia’s spectacular deserts and wilderness reserves boast a fascinating array of desert-adapted wildlife, including rhino and elephant in the Kalahari and Namib. Spotted hyena, cheetah, jackal, Cape and bat-eared foxes, aardwolf, African wildcat, springbok and Hartmann’s zebra, ostrich, baboon, Grant’s golden mole and oryx (gemsbok) can be seen. Namibia also offers superb birding, including the coastal areas.
CLOTHING Q:What should I wear? A: You will require comfortable, casual and semi-casual clothes for your Namibian safari. Please note that bright colours are not suitable for game-viewing. It is best to have some warm clothing for early morning and evening game-drives, especially in winter when the desert can get very cold.
Q:What should I pack? A: Packing Suggestions:
Light cotton trousers
Cotton shorts
Light cotton shirts (long and short sleeved)
Comfortable walking shoes
Sandals
Shower-proof rain jacket/windbreaker
Sunhat
Fleece
Insect repellent
Small torch
Bathing suit
Suntan lotion
Sunglasses
Camera (telephoto lens recommended)
Binoculars
For winter, pack an extra:
Warm jacket
Woollen hat
Scarf and gloves
FAMILY SAFARIS Q: Is Namibia a good family destination? A: Namibia offers wonderful value for families, although some establishments cater more for children’s enjoyment than others. The recommended age for children on safari is six years and older. Some lodges do not take children under 12 years – we will advise you of the best family travel options.
FOOD Q: What style and type of meals are on offer? A: Most lodges, hotels and restaurants in Namibia serve delicious, hearty meals of Pan-African cuisine – fresh ingredients, simply prepared with an African flavour. Vegetarian and halaal dietary requirements may be catered for but it is difficult to find strictly kosher meals.
GUEST SAFETY Q: Will I be safe? A: Guest safety is of paramount importance and even though Namibia is a safe destination, it is wise to take certain standard security precautions. Please carry a record of your passport number, airline tickets and travellers cheques, and ensure that these items are kept in a safe place. Make use of your hotel safety deposit box for expensive items and never leave baggage or personal items unattended, especially at airports.
HEALTH Q: What kind of medical precautions do I need to take? A: Please consult your physician or health department for the latest health precautions and anti-malaria precautions when travelling north of Windhoek.
MONEY Q:Where can I change currency? A: You will be required to declare all foreign currency in any form when entering/exiting Namibia and we therefore advise that you only change money as required. There is a Bureau de Change at Windhoek International Airport. Most hotels and lodges have foreign exchange facilities and will accept traveller’s cheques. The currency in Namibia is the Namibian dollar (N$), which is divided into 100 cents. This is fixed to the South African rand. Notes are issued in denominations of N$200, N$100, N$50, N$20 and N$10. Coins are issued as N$5, N$1, 50 cents, 10 cents and 5 cents. The Namibian dollar and the South African rand are the only legal tender in Namibia and both can be used freely to purchase goods and services.
Q: Can I use my credit card? A: All major credit cards are accepted at hotels, shops and restaurants but acceptance outside of the major centres in Namibia is limited. Most lodges and restaurants accept payment by international Visa and MasterCard. Holders of other credit cards are advised to clarify with a commercial bank whether their card is acceptable in Namibia. Credit cards are not accepted at petrol filling stations.
SAFARI SEASONS & TEMPERATURES Q:Which are the best months to visit Namibia? A: Namibia enjoys sunshine virtually every day of the year, and you can expect hot summers (October – April) and pleasant winters (May – September) in this arid climate. Daytime summer temperatures can rise to 40ºC/104ºF and drop to around 20ºC/68ºF at night. Winter days are sunny and mild to warm with temperatures of about 25ºC/77ºF, which may drop to as low as 5ºC/41ºF at night. The coastal region is cool and dry throughout the year. Best birding: summer (November – April); best botanical months: Dec – May; peak season: July – October.
Q:When is the rainy season? A: It rains in summer during the first quarter of the year, but overcast and rainy days are few and far between. From February to March, average rainfall varies from less than 50mm (2 inches) along the coast to 350mm (13 inches) in the central and 700mm (27 inches) in the far north eastern regions. No rain is experienced during the winter months.
TIPPING GUIDELINES Q:What should I tip? A: We recommend that you tender small amounts to your lodge/hotel staff and lodge managers will provide you with guidelines for tipping if required. Where restaurant meals are involved, the tipping standard is usually 10% of the bill.
WATER Q:Can I drink the water? A: Tap water is purified and safe to drink at hotels, lodges and other public places. Remember that water is a scarce resource, so please be considerate and help conserve water.
