E & S Africa, Namibia

Overview

Wedged between the Kalahari and the South Atlantic, Namibia boasts deserts, seascapes, bushwalking and boundlessness. Blessed with rich natural resources, a solid modern infrastructure, diverse cultures and an annual quota of 300 days of sunshine, it is a beautiful country of vast potential.

When To Go

The dry winter season May to October is the most pleasant time to visit Namibia. During this period you can expect warm, sunny days and cold nights, often with temperatures falling below freezing. It's best to avoid Namib-Naukluft Park and Etosha National Park in the extreme heat December to March, and Fish River Canyon is closed to the public between December and April. The northeastern rivers may flood during this time too, making some roads either impassable or hard to negotiate. Resort areas are busiest during both Namibian and South African school holidays - usually from mid-December to mid-January, late-April to early June, and late-August to mid-September.

Visas

All visitors require a passport from their home country that is valid for at least six months after their intended departure date from Namibia. You may also be asked for an onward plane, bus or rail ticket, although checks are rarely made. Nationals of the following countries do not need visas to visit Namibia: Angola, Australia, Botswana, Brazil, Canada, EU countries, Iceland, Japan, Kenya, Mozambique, New Zealand, Norway, Russia, Singapore, South Africa, Switzerland, Tanzania, USA, Zambia, Zimbabwe and most Commonwealth countries. Citizens of most Eastern European countries do require visas. Tourists are granted an initial 90 days, which may be extended at the Ministry of Home Affairs in Windhoek.

Weather

Although it's predominantly desert, Namibia enjoys regional climatic variations. The whole country sees a minimum of 300 days of sunshine each year, but temperatures and rainfall vary considerably both seasonally and geographically. The most arid climate is found in the centre of the Namib Desert, where summer daytime temperatures climb to over 40°C 105°F and can fall to below freezing at night. Daytime temperatures in the mountainous and semi-arid Central Plateau including Windhoek are generally lower than in the rest of the country. Fog is common on the coast. December is the hottest month everywhere, bringing average temperatures of 30°C 86°F. There are two rainy seasons: the 'little rains' from October to December, and the main rainy period from January to April. The latter is characterised by brief showers and occasional thunderstorms that clear the air. Low-lying areas in the eastern part of the country are generally much hotter than the Central Plateau and, except for Kava

Getting There

Major airlines fly from Europe, Australia and the US to Windhoek. However, flights are limited and it's often cheaper to fly into South Africa and go overland or by plane into Namibia from there. Air Namibia has a direct flight from London, and LTU has a direct flight from Frankfurt. South African Airways and Air Namibia operate daily flights between Johannesburg Jo'burg, Cape Town and Hosea Kutako International Airport, 42km 26mi east of Windhoek. Air Namibia also flies twice weekly between Windhoek and Victoria Falls, Lusaka, Maun and Gaborone. There are border crossings from Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe and South Africa, and bus companies service these routes. Driving between South Africa and Namibia is quite comfortable on well-made roads, and it's also possible to hitch, although truckies expect to be paid these days about 1.50 per 100km60mi.

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