Namibia is a sparsely populated country on the southwestern coast of Africa, with vast spaces, wild beaches, deep canyons, a rich wildlife and the oldest desert in the world - Namib. Namibia is washed in the west by the Atlantic Ocean and borders with the South African Republic in the south, with Botswana in the east, Angola in the north and a very small border with Zambia in the northeast.
The territory of Namibia is usually divided into 4 parts for convenience: the southern part - with its high dunes of Sossusvlei and the Fish River canyon, the western part - with the Namib desert and the skeleton coast, the central part - with the capital Windhoek and private reserves, and the northern part - in which central Etosha National Park is the 4th largest reserve in Africa.
The climate is dry and typical for semi-desert territory with warm hot days and cool nights. Rain usually falls in the summer from December to March.
A country with a developed infrastructure, mining, livestock and a network of excellent roads.
Territory: 825 418 square km
Capital: Windhoek with a population of 220,000
Largest cities: Windhoek, Swakopmund, Walvis Bay, Otjiwarongo, Tsumeb, Ondangwa, Swakopmund, Luderitz, Keetmanshoep
Languages: Official languages - English, Afrikaans, German, Oshiwanbo, Oshiherero, Damara (English and Afrikaans are mainly used)
Population: 2 150 000 people
Monetary unit: Namibian dollar (1 N$ = 100 cents) equals South African rand, banknotes -10, 20, 50, 100 and 200 Namibian dollars
The main gross domestic product: animal products, seafood, diamonds, polymetals, salt, tourism
Exports: Diamonds, uranium, copper, zinc, manganese, marble and granite, fish, lobsters, oysters, meat and meat products
Climate: A dry climate typical of a semi-desert area with hot days and cool nights. Average temperatures during the day: in the summer, from October to May, 25-35 and in winter, from June to September, 20-25 degrees
Time: Central African Time GMT+2 hours
Visa: To enter Namibia visa is not required for citizens of many countries. Please check if your country falls into this category.
Credit Cards: VISA, MASTER CARD, AMERICAN EXPRESS, DINERS are accepted for payment (even tips in restaurants can be paid by card) everywhere, except for small hotels and shops in rural areas.
Foreign Exchange: There is no foreign currency free circulation in the country. The exception is the South African rand, which is widely accepted. The best currency exchange at BUREAU DE CHANGE is in airports, but currency can also be exchanged at banks in the city. And at any time in the hotel. Banking hours: 9: 00-15: 30 (weekdays), 9: 00-11: 00 (on Saturdays).
Tips: In Namibia, it is customary to pay tips. In the restaurant: 10% of the total bill (including drinks). Porter services: about $ 1 per piece of luggage. Driver guide: $ 2-3 per person per day for work.
Voltage: 220 volts with a triple (South African Type) outlet. All hotels have European sockets and adapters. In some remote lodges, the electrical supply is done by generator or solar power units.
Drinking water: Tap water in all cities and reserves is clean and safe to drink.
Car rental: In Namibia left-hand traffic. Speed limit: within the city, 60 km per hour, on motorways 120 km per hour. You must have an international driver's license and a credit card to rent a car. Car rental locations are only in major cities and towns. Self-driving in Namibia is a very common form of tourism and very safe an reasonably prices. Use it!.