Tips for Your Trip

Each season has its advantages so if you have set dates for travel, chances are you will be able to have a great trip no matter where you are going.
It is important to understand the seasonal trends and how they will affect your trip, but please keep in mind that weather is variable and so it is possible to go for days without rain during rainy season or have a hot day in winter.
Wet Season
Wet season in Namibia is from November to March. Rainfall can vary from 600 mm per year in the Caprivi to less than 50 mm per year on the coast of Namibia. Every part of Namibia looks and feels different and has its unique beauty true to the area.
Advantages of wet season safari: In rainy season Namibia transforms to a green Kalahari with yellow flowers on the top of a Kamelthorn-tree, white buds on the bufflo-thorn bush, and purple veld flowers growing alongside the gravel road. The first rains bring on the antelope lambing season, flora comes into flower and the bird life is prolific. This season truly captures the beauty of Namibian landscape as sunsets are vivid, bold clouds cool the earth and water flows through this harsh land giving new life, new beauty and new hope to all the dwellers of the land they call home.
Dry Season
Dry season in Namibia is from April to October. Cold nights can be experienced in the middle of winter but most days are mild. There is no snow in Namibia only a chilly wind and a great opportunity to relax at a comfortable fireplace and sip on a good red wine.
Advantages of dry season safari: This is the best game-viewing period in Africa as the animals are attracted by the permanent water supplies making it great to see them up close. It hardly ever rains in winter so the animals must come to the waterholes to drink in the mornings and afternoons and can then easily be observed from a vehicle or hide. This is a true thrill seeing a herd of elephant only meters away, a cheetah chasing an antelope to feed her cubs. Life the moment, feel the rush, capture the memory.

Remember: there are no bad months, just different experiences. Africa is so diverse that there is always something to see and do. Don’t let climate be the sole deciding factor in making the choice of when to travel.

Namibia is considered the safest county in the south of Africa. Purse snatching and pick-pocketing does happen just like anywhere els, so as long as you don’t go flashing valuables about you will be fine and try to always stay in a group or with a partner but other than theft, violent crime is extremely rare. Normal personal safety rules apply. Probable the greatest danger to tourists is inappropriate driving on gravel roads. Never drive to fast, always allow enough time to get from one place to another when travelling on gravel.
Safety Tips for your trip:

1. Never have large amounts of cash with you.
2. Always lock valuable item in safe at lodge/ hotel at all times.
3. Scan your documents- passport, visa and send to your email. If your documents get lost you still have copies.
4. Take out appropriate insurance. No one ever expects an injury or accident to happen.
5. Please do make sure to understand the local currency and exchange currencies at a bank.
6. Always stay with the group or ask a partner along, do inform the guide.
7. Never let purses, laptops, wallets or valuable items out of sight. And don’t carry wallet/purse in jean’s back pocket.
8. Make a habit to always look back when leaving a place, make sure you didn’t leave anything behind.
9. Don’t give to beggars and don’t trust strangers.
10. Always double check your traveling details- flight time- when to meet the rest of the group or the guide, when stopping for a rest make sure to be back on time.
11. Make sure to have the details of the tour operator and the guide, always a name and number, keep it close to you at all times.
12. Keep to the schedule, if you want to go to a different restaurant or shop, please do remember that the guide knows where it is safe and where is the best place for you as tourist.
13. Do double check that your passport is still valid for at least 6 months.
14. Ask your guide for advice.
15. We advise that you ask Tourist Information Officers, camp/lodge and hotel staff and local residents about areas to avoid.
16. Please check with your health department/travel clinic prior to departure, in the event there have been changes in the health regulations of the country you are visiting.

Tourists may enter Namibia for up to 90 days. All visitors require a passport valid for at least 6 months after date of entry into Namibia.
Foreign nationals from the following countries/territories do NOT require a visa to visit Namibia:
Angola, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Belgium, Botswana, Brazil, Canada, Cuba, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong SAR Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, Lechtenstein, Luxenburg, Malaysia, Malawi, Mauritius, Moldova, Mozambique, New Zealand, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Russian Federation, South Africa, Seychelles, Singapore, Spain, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Tanzania, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United States of America, Zambia and Zimbabwe
Visitors not from the above countries need to apply for a visa from the Namibian consulate in their country of origin or the Ministry of Home Affairs, Private Bag 13200, Windhoek, ☎ +264 61 292-2111 (fax: +264 61 223-817).
Hosea Kutako International Airport is the main entry point for air traffic as it is Namibia’s only International Airport, it is located 45 minutes east of Windhoek, the Capital of Namibia.