Driving in Namiba
Traffic drives on the left-hand side in Namibia, thus the driver’s seat is on the right side of the car. A simple mnemonic aid for those who are used to right-hand driving: the median strip, or the middle of the road, must always be on your right side. All passengers have to wear seatbelts. Make sure that you are never low on petrol: rather fill up once too often than getting stuck in the middle of nowhere. |
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The major arterial roads are tarmac roads; all the others are gravel or sand roads, and most of them are regularly planed by graders.
The most common cause of accidents in Namibia is excessive speed on gravel roads. It is recommended to drive no faster than 60 to 80 km/h. Slow down when approaching bends or elevations and keep as far left as possible. Always be prepared for sudden obstacles on the road (large stones, livestock, game) as well as bumps or hollowed depressions in the surface (especially during the months when rains are most likely), or strong crosswinds. If at all possible, avoid driving at dusk and after nightfall.
As soon as you notice a car approaching from the oncoming direction, slow down and keep as far left as possible (this also reduces the risk of getting your windscreen damaged by a stone flung up from the road). If the oncoming car is trailing a dense cloud of dust, switch on your headlights so that you will be noticed by any other oncoming traffic. Never try to overtake while visibility is obscured by a cloud of dust.
Credit Cards
International Visa and MasterCard credit cards are generally accepted and to a lesser degree Diners Club and American Express, while the Speedpoint and ATM facilities assure quick and efficient service. Holders of other card types are advised to clarify whether their card qualifies as an acceptable payment method in Namibia. You have the possibility to exchange foreign currency at foreign exchange offices, all banks and some hotels and lodges throughout the country.
Note: No credit cards are accepted at petrol service stations.
Local time
Namibia’s summertime is two hours ahead of GMT from the first Sunday in September to the first Sunday in April. Wintertime is one hour ahead of GMT, from the first Sunday in April to the first Sunday in September.
Currency
The Namibia Dollar (N$) equals the South African Rand (ZAR) 1:1. The South African Rand is legal tender in Namibia and is accepted throughout for payment.
Denominations: 5c, 10c, 20c, 50c, N$1, N$5, N$10, N$20, N$50, N$100, N$200.
Water
Tap water is safe to drink throughout the country, except for isolated rural areas, where the consumption of filtered or bottled mineral water is recommended. These isolated areas include some areas in the Kalahari Desert & the entire Caprivi Strip, where water is pumped directly from the rivers. All accommodation establishments in these areas provide bottled water for their guests.
Electricity
220/240 Volt AC Round two or three-pole 15 amp plugs are used. These can be purchased at all major outlets in the cities & towns.
Health and entry requirements
Due to hot dry climate Namibia is virtually free of tropical diseases, therefore health certificates are not normally required. Visitors arriving from a yellow fever zone require a valid international yellow fever inoculation certificate.
Anti malaria prophylactics are advisable if visiting northern Namibia, the Etosha National Park serving as the accepted Malaria border. A valid passport, which is valid for 6 months beyond intended departure, is required. Please contact your nearest Namibian Tourism Board office or Namibian Embassy for an updated list of Visa requirements prior to entering Namibia.
Medical Services
All major centres have state-run hospitals. In all major towns professional medical care is available while Windhoek boasts three world-standard hospitals. Doctors are listed under ‘Classified Medical Listings’ in the local telephone directory. As Namibia is such a vast country, emergency medical evacuation services extend to the furthest corners of Namibia and are supported by a well-developed charter industry and a good road network.
Adequate insurance covering travel, accident, illness and hospitalisation incidents is strongly advised for the duration of your stay and must be arranged at time of booking. Please also contact your medical doctor for any inoculations or malaria prophylaxis, which often has to be taken before arrival.
Climate
Seasons are opposite to those of the northern hemisphere. Namibia averages 300 days of sunshine a year!
The climate is typical of a semi-desert country where droughts are a regular occurrence. September to April belong to the summer months with the rainfall season ranging from October to April. Winter ranges from May - August.
Some average temperatures in Celsius:
 |
| Location |
Summer |
Winter |
|
| Windhoek |
15°C - 35°C |
7°C - 28°C |
| Swakopmund |
12°C - 22°C |
9°C - 18°C |
| Fish River Canyon |
17°C – 32°C |
6°C – 27°C |
| Etosha National Park |
17°C – 34°C |
7°C – 26°C |
Language
The official language is English but German and Afrikaans are widely spoken and understood. Namibia has 15 ethnic groups with some 27 languages and dialects being spoken.
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