What To Know

Getting Here
There are few direct flights to Namibia and most people have a stop-over in OR Tambo International Airport (JNB) Johannesburg, South Africa. Some of the main airlines flying to Johannesburg have add-on connections. This often includes an overnight in Johannesburg.

Namibia’s main airport is Hosea Kutako International Airport (WDH) located 40km/25mi east of Windhoek, the capital. Onwards travel is either by small aircraft or car. Because of excellent roads and safety in Namibia, many people choose the self-drive option. In most other cases, your local tour operator will arrange pick-up from the airport and all further transportation as part of the tour.

Getting Around
Namibia is a sparsely populated country, and distances between towns can be vast. However, there is an excellent infrastructure of sealed roads, and to more remote locations there are well-maintained gravel and even salt roads. With such a low population density, it’s hardly surprising that the public transport network is rather limited. Public buses do serve the main towns, but they won’t take you to the country’s major sights. By far the best way to experience Namibia is in the comfort of your own hire care.

Weather
Mostly Namibia has a subtropical desert climate, characterized by great differences in day and nighttime temperatures, low rainfall, and overall low humidity.

May to October – Dry Season – Winter

  • There is less vegetation and wildlife congregates around rivers and waterholes, making animals easier to spot. It is the best time to visit Etosha.
  • There are no clouds, it’s sunny and there is virtually no rain.
  • Even though most tourists visit during the dry season, the parks still don’t feel crowded, except for Etosha.
  • It gets cold at night and in the mornings. It’s advised to pack warm winter clothing during June, July and August for the cold morning game drives.

October to April – Wet Season – Summer

  • After the rains, the scenery is greener and the rates are lower because it’s low season.
  • This is the time of the year you can see newborn animals. Migratory birds are present and birding is at its best.
  • Rains are mostly short showers in the afternoon and rarely have a real negative impact on your trip.
  • It gets very hot from October to February.
  • It’s more difficult to spot animals. This is especially true for Etosha. For wildlife, it’s recommended to visit Etosha in the dry season.

Health & Safety
Namibia is a very safe, politically stable country. If you are traveling on an organized trip and staying at lodges and camps, safety problems are very rare. Driving at night is not recommended and, like anywhere in the world, most crime occurs in the cities and safety precautions are advised. Overall, Namibia is so safe that the greatest danger posed to travelers on safari is its wildlife, and you’ll be perfectly fine when following the safety instructions given by your guide.

Vaccinations
Vaccinations are recommended, see the websites before for more detailed immunization advice.

Australia – www.travelclinic.com.au
Canada – www.iamat.org – Vaccinations / Malaria
Ireland – www.tmb.ie
New Zealand – www.iamat.org – Vaccinations / Malaria
United Kingdom – www.fitfortravel.scot.nhs.uk
United States – wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel