NAMIBIA
Welcome
Motto: "Unity, Liberty, Justice"
Anthem: "Namibia, Land of the Brave"
A trip to Namibia is a return to the beginnings of the world. It is a journey through time, but also into another universe; that of the savannah
Capital: Windhoek.
Population: 2.54 million inhabitants.
Gross Domestic Product - GDP (PPP): $27.3 billion.
Official languages: English.
Recognized regional languages: Afrikaans, German, Otjiherero, Khoekhoegowab, Oshiwambo, RuKwangali, Setswana, siLozi,
Area: 825,615 km2.
Water (%): negligible.
Currency: Namibian dollar (NAD) & South African rand (ZAR).
Safety rating: Ranked 60 on the Global Peace Index with a score of 1.99.
Food
Meat is an important part of the diet. Traditionally, the Namibians consume it rather in the form of biltong, in strips or dried and spicy pieces. Frankly, you have to love and have good teeth!
Afrikaners brought their boerewor sausages and the must-have braai, the barbecue, on which they fry alongside large pieces of beef or game. On a daily basis, most of the ethnic groups that inhabit Namibia favor mieliepap (or pap), a sticky semolina of corn (traditionally tasted by hand), possibly accompanied by meats cooked in stew in potjies, three-legged black pots, who resist the many meals declined by the fireside.
Vegetables are also appreciated, especially by the Ovambo and Himbas tribes. Among them, pumpkins and butternut squash, squashes with soft flesh of orange color, in the shape of large pears. Namibians usually eat dinner early, and you won't be served after 9:30 p.m. in most restaurants.
Due to the German influence, there are excellent local beers, Tafel and Windhoek. The wines come from South Africa and are quite uneven (often very sweet). Here, like in South Africa, the shandy is a kind of cooler 50% beer 50% lemonade juice (or orange or apple). The shandy rock is a mixture of sparkling water and lemonade with a few drops of angostura, a little bit bitter but very refreshing. It's very tasty!
Transportation
Self-driving in Namibia requires being able to get around on your own. But still it would be necessary to know how… All the options are not good to take. Especially when it comes to having to explore as much of the country as possible, you have to optimize travel. Fortunately, Namibia is one of the best equipped countries in the region in terms of transport infrastructure, which makes things much easier.
Car rental
Namibia has good quality road infrastructure, so take advantage of it! There are not a lot of highways, but they are new and well thought out enough to connect all the interesting places in the country. In addition, all the major international car rental companies are present in Namibia. You will therefore have no problem finding a good quality vehicle with all the necessary insurance, and all within a reasonable budget. It is also the best option to benefit from assistance in the event of a breakdown, accident, etc. If you ever find yourself in the middle of the desert with a car that is no longer in working order, it is better to have someone ready to help you. In addition, having a car will allow you to do what you want the way you want: freedom. It is the ideal choice for a self-drive in Namibia. You will be in control of your destinations, your timetable, your stops according to your desires and moods. It is by far the most suitable option for getting around Namibia.
The train
The Trans-Namib railway company connects most of the major cities in the country. The service is reliable; trains have economy class cars and sleeper cars. Despite its slowness, it is an inexpensive and pleasant way to discover the country.
The plane
The country is well served by national airlines, but the plane remains expensive. From Windhoek there are regular flights to Tsumeb, Rundu, Katima Mulilo, Keetmanshoop, Luderitz, Swakopmund and Oshakati.
Bus
There is a transport service in Namibia responsible for public transport using buses. These buses are available to the population and for any foreign person wishing to opt for this means of transport for the purpose of sightseeing. These buses are very comfortable at varying prices depending on the distance or destination; the reservation system is on hand because these buses run according to a schedule established by the service staff. To have a place on this bus, it would be better to make a reservation well in advance to guarantee a place and do your safari better in the right conditions. The bus is not a very developed means of transport in Namibia. There are a few big companies like the South African Intercape, they mainly connect Windhoek to neighboring countries.
Best things to do
Inhabited by the bushmen, people experienced in extreme aridity, country of oryx (antelopes) and kokerbooms (desert trees), Namibia, mineral and solar, is renowned for its grandiose desert landscapes and its almost Martian atmosphere. But what are the essential places to see during a trip to Namibia?
Venture into Skeleton Coast National Park, one of the most hostile lands in the world: a landscape enveloped in a mist of sand, ending in the misty waters of the Atlantic. Stop in front of the huge colony of fur seals at Cape Cross. Enjoy a sausage while being surprised by the German spoken at Lüderitz. Walk the dunes of Sossusvlei at sunrise and marvel at the sight of its magisterial landscapes. Arrive at the top of the canyon, take a look at the Fish River which has dug a groove in the rock, one of the greatest natural wonders of Africa.
The country is home to so much natural wealth, ranging from vast stretches of the Namib Desert to the lush green lands of Etosha National Park, not to mention its beautiful unspoiled coastline. Lose yourself in this country still so wild in many aspects, and let yourself be surprised by the grandeur of its landscapes depicting a nature sometimes free of any human footprint.
Between sea and desert, Namibia is a country with exceptional attractions. Far from the green forests of equatorial Africa, the Namibian desert surprises its visitors with their beauty and immensity. Namibia can be explored in two ways: from the coast or from the desert. The Namibian desert lends itself to discovery and sports. For safari enthusiasts, Ethosa National Park with its 114 species of mammals is for you a land of predilection. This immense salt marsh, so large that it is visible from space, is suitable for bird watching. Indeed, the Namib-Naukluft National Park, recognized as being the largest in Africa, can be explored by Quad or 4 x 4.
Best time to visit
The best time to visit Namibia is the southern winter, from May to September. Beware of the relief of the country which quickly varies temperatures and precipitation depending on the altitude.
The climate broadly divides the year into three seasons: between October and December extends a hot and dry period, punctuated by light scattered rains, which is followed by an always hot but humid period, from January to April, with stormy rains frequent.
Finally, from May to September, winter brings a cold and dry climate.
The temperature differences are very large, they can reach more than 40 ° C in summer and drop to 0 ° C at night in winter.
Leaving between May and October will allow you to discover the fauna and experience clear and warm days but cold and invigorating nights.
Quick tips
Dress code
You will travel through territories where traditions and customs are very ingrained and impose the respect of a few rules. In order not to make people uncomfortable, you should always wear decent and correct clothing: no short skirt or shorts (men and women). No too high tops. Plan in case - in your bag, a stole or a scarf; and if you don't have one you can find it everywhere.
Photographing (or filming)
Yes, but no. It is not customary to photograph people without their permission. Photographing someone without their knowledge can cause great discord, including the confiscation or destruction of your camera. Wait until they offer it to you or make sure your subject agrees before taking a picture. No photos of military areas, airport, police station, prisons, places of worship... There are obviously no questions to ask and obviously no problem for photographing nature, animals and landscapes.
Tips
In Namibia, tips are a rule. It varies depending on the route and the duration, the tip is eagerly awaited and rather recommended.
However, it is important that the tip remains a gratuity. We invite you to distribute tips only if the service meets your expectations, and to reduce this amount if the services were not sufficient, explaining why.
Recommended amounts, this sum takes into account the standard of living so as not to destabilize the economic balances:
- Guides: 5 to 7 $ US per participant and per day.
- Drivers: 3 to 4 $ US per participant per day.
