Namibia : Esentials

Capitale

Windhoek

Language

English (the official language), idiomes bantous, dialectes khoisan, afrikaans, Germain

Time difference

GMT + 2 H October to April (summer time), GMT + 1h in Winter

Visas

All tourist needs a passport valid for 6 months after the date of return. People from Europe, Switzerland and Canada do not need visas : They will receive a 3 months tourism authorization on presenting a valid passport. Make sure that there are a few blank pages for the numerous immigration stamps especially if they are passing by Zimbabwe or Zambia to visit the Victoria falls

All travelers arriving in Namibia must have a valid passport at least 6 months after the end of their stay. Have a few blank pages for the many immigration stamps, especially if you go through Zimbabwe and/or Zambia to see Victoria Falls.

Important Addresses and numbers

Embassy abroad

1 Goethe street - PO box 20484 - Windhoek 9000 – tél. [264] (61) 27 67 00 ; www.ambafrance-na.org

Embassy in France

80 avenue Foch 75016 Paris – tél. +33 (0)1 44 17 32 65; info@embassyofnamibia.fr

Electricity

AC 220v, taken indifferently to two or three plugs. You will find adapters on site

Telephone

+ 264

Health

Watch out for malaria (endemic to the Caprivi Band and Kavango), Bilharzia and tsetse flies, and get vaccinated against typhoid, tetanus, diphtheria, polio and meningitis. Namibia is one of the four countries most affected by the AIDS epidemic in the world: precautions for use are necessary. If the public health system is almost free of charge, hospitals are lacking in resources and staff, so instead, if necessary, address private clinics.

Namibia : Climate

The driest affected area is central Namibia, swept by winds. The Benguela current and the offshore winds produce significant variations in temperature between the ocean and the coastline. In the desert, in summer, the temperature exceeds 40 °c during the day, but can fall below 0 °c at night. Namibia is warmed in winter by the easterly winds which, as they descend from the central plateau, become increasingly warm and dry, lifting up sand swirls that seep all over.

On the central plateau, the low humidity and the soft breeze of the winter months provide a pleasant climate, the summer making the temperature and humidity rise to uncomfortable levels..

Basic precautions

Taking care of what you eat and what you drink is the first precaution. Gastric and intestinal disorders are common, although most of the time they remain without gravity. But don't be paranoid and don't deprive yourself of tasting the local cuisine, it's part of the trip. Also feel free to wash your hands frequently.