Tailor-made Namibia Holidays

Time difference: GMT +2

Flight time: London + 10-11 hours

Currency: Namibian Dollar (N$/NAD), the South African Rand (ZAR) is also legal tender

Language: 13 recognised languages including Oshiwambo, Afrikaans, English and German

Electricity: 230v

Telephone code: +264

Tipping: Is expected on safaris and most lodges will provide clear guidelines as to how much and when to tip. As a general rule, tip a private guide around N$100 per guest per day and put N$200 into the staff tip box at your lodge each day. Otherwise, tip porters N$20-30 and petrol pump attendants N$5-10; for that price they’ll also clean your windows and check your tyres and oil. When it comes to restaurants, it is common practice to leave at least 10% of the bill for great service.

Etiquette: Greetings in Namibia are important, so start with some small talk and a handshake – always use your right as the left is seen as unclean, the same goes for eating. Namibians dress modestly so it’s a good idea to do the same, wearing light clothes with good coverage to protect from the sun. Ask permission before taking photos of people and do not take them of government buildings, military personnel or any political demonstrations. If you’re visiting ethnic villages, be sure to accept any food or drink offered and pay ultimate respect to elders and avoid displays of public affection.

Religions: Roughly 80 percent of Namibians are Christian and are most commonly from the Lutheran Church, which was introduced by Finnish missionaries in the 1900s. The remaining portion of the population follows animism and indigenous beliefs, while minority religions include Judaism and Islam. The Nama ethnic group, for instance, are predominately Muslim. 

Visas: You can look up the latest advice on https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/namibia/entry-requirements. Please be aware that this information can change at short notice.

Vaccinations: Health risks vary depending on the destination so it’s essential to check the specific vaccination and hygiene requirements for Namibia on the NHS Fit for Travel website.

Namibia is a year-round destination, blessed with over 300 annual days of sunshine. However, the semi-arid country sees blistering summer temperatures that can top 40 degrees, and the inhospitable-yet-beautiful Namib Desert has scorching days and freezing nights. The eerie Skeleton Coast is notorious for its persistent fog, birthed by cool Atlantic winds clashing with the hot Namib Desert.

Winter is Namibia’s top tourist season with daytime temperatures between July and October hovering around the mid-twenties. This is also dry season, so animals gather at waterholes and provide fantastic wildlife viewing. Nights are also cool and clear, perfect for some of the world’s best stargazing. Rainy season falls from November to early December and offers lush greenery and migrating birds. Rains also bring the Fish River to life and flood the Etosha pans, attracting algae-feeding flamingos.

Namibia is one of Africa’s top road trip destinations and most tourists opt for a self-drive adventure. You’ll need an International Driving Permit for Namibia; cars drive on the left and the speed limit ranges from 120kph on the tarred roads to 60kph in national parks. Less than 20 percent of Namibia’s roads are tarred though, so be prepared to traverse miles of gravel, sand and rocky terrain. For that reason, it’s best to hire a four-wheel drive that has better clearance and can cope in these wild landscapes.

Namibia is a vast country with the second-lowest population density in the world after Mongolia, so you’ll often drive for hours without seeing a town. It’s essential to top-up your tank whenever you spot a petrol station and never drive at night to avoid animal collisions. Phone coverage can be spotty, so download an offline map and carry a paper map as a backup. To take a break from driving, enjoy guided safaris in national parks like Etosha; your guide will know the best places to spot wildlife.

If you prefer not to drive, ask our travel experts about hiring a private driver for your Namibia trip. You’ll travel in a sturdy, air-conditioned vehicle with an English-speaking guide who knows just how to traverse Namibia’s wild terrain. This might be a more expensive option but you’ll gain a deeper understanding of the country’s culture and landscapes by travelling with a local, who’ll know all the best places for a pit stop. This is an especially great option for families and group trips.

Namibia is known for its meat-heavy cuisine, which features the usual chicken and beef as well as game meats like ostrich and impala. Meat is usually cooked braai (barbecue) style or in a stew called a potjiekos, with vegetables in scarce supply. However, vegetarians are also well catered for. Ethnic specialties include adventurous dishes like fried mopane worms and most Namibians eat oshfima, a millet meal porridge, as a daily staple. The coast offers fresh seafood, including sought-after Lüderitz oysters, hake and lobster nourished by the Benguela current. If you’re visiting in April and May, seek out rare Kalahari truffles.

Due to its colonial roots, you’ll also find plenty of German fare in Namibia, particularly in port towns like Swakopmund. Think schnitzel and sausages served with pickled cabbage, cream cakes and black forest gateaux. The German legacy extends to beer, which is made in Namibia according to Bavarian purity laws and celebrated during Oktoberfest. Common varieties include Windhoek and Tafel lagers. If you prefer wine, you’ll likely be ordering bottles sourced from neighbouring South Africa, while non-alcoholic fare includes rooibos (red bush) tea and sabdariffa juice, derived from hibiscus flowers.

Crafts and curios are the order of the day in Namibia. Typical souvenirs are hand-carved from wood or soapstone and range from figurines to bowls, tribal trinkets and beaded jewellery. If you’re after fabric, there’s plenty of colourful batik cloth on offer. It’s best to buy from local markets or villages to ensure goods are hand-made in Namibia and that your money goes straight into the local economy. Bargaining is expected, just do so with a smile and work up from half the quoted price until both parties are happy.

Namibia is also known for its exquisite diamonds, farmed in a restricted area in the southwest of the country and sold in high-end shops, usually in Windhoek. More affordable semi-precious stones like amethysts, tourmaline and topaz are also available and featured in jewellery across the country. If you choose to buy semi-precious stones make sure you have the correct supporting documentation. Top shopping spots include the Namibia Crafts Centre in Windhoek, large markets in Okahandja and in jewellery stores and art galleries in Swakopmund.

Due to its blend of African and European colonial history, Namibia celebrates various cultural festivals. Traditional events include March’s Enjando street festival in Windhoek, which attracts ethnic groups from across the country, and the northern Oshituthi Shomagongo, where communities gather to harvest omagongo fruit.

Independence Day on March 21st commemorates Namibia’s liberation from the South African regime in 1990 and is marked all over the country. The same goes for Africa Day on May 25th. If you visit in August, you’ll witness Herero Day on the 23rd, when military parades remember those who died in battle with Germany.

The Germans left behind Oktoberfest and the Windhoek Karneval, also known as WIKA. This huge cultural highlight takes place in the capital every April with masked balls, music and parades. August’s Kuste Karneval in Swakopmund is another street-party-style German throwback. Since most of the population is Christian, key religious holidays like Christmas and Easter are also observed in Namibia.