Useful Hints

Namibia Tourism Board (NTB)

Windhoek Office:

Tel.: +264 (0) 61 290 6000

E-mail:

Website: www.namibiatourism.com.na

Cape Town Office:

Tel.: +27 (0) 21 422 3298

E-mail:

Johannesburg Office:

Tel.: +27 (0) 11 702 9602

E-mail:

Tourism Associations

TASA - Tour and Safari Association

(assist with work permits for foreign guides)

Contact Person: James van der Westhuizen (Business Manager)

Tel.: +264 61 238423

E-mail:

Website: www.tasa.na

HAN - Hospitality Association of Namibia

Contact Person: Gitta Paetzold (CEO)

Tel.: +264 61 222904

E-mail:

Website: www.hannamibia.com

NAPHA - Namibia Professional Hunters Association

Contact: Almuth Kronsbein (CEO)

Tel.: +264 61 234455

E-mail:

Website: www.natron.net/napha

TAN - Tourguide Association of Nambia (have data base of free-lance guides)

Contact Person: Claus Dau (Chairperson), Marleece Jordaan (Secretary)

Cell.: +264 (0)81 268 8634

E-mail:

Contact Person: Marleece Jordaan (Secretary)

Tel.: +264 61 274 5000

Cell.: 081 260 2872

E-mail: 

Population

2.2 million people: Caprivians, Coloureds, Damaras, Herero, Himbas, Kavangos, Namas, Owambos, Rehoboth Basters, San,Topnaars, Tswanas, Whites

Currency

Namibia Dollar (N$) - 1N$ = 1 SA Rand

SA Rand accepted in Namibia

Medical & Emergency Services

State Hospitals in virtually all Namibia’s major towns

Smaller Towns and Villages – clinics

Private Hospitals

Windhoek (3) - (Medi-Clinic, Roman Catholic Hospital, Rhino Park Private Hospital)

Otjiwarongo (1) - (Medi-Clinic)

Tsumeb (1) - (Tsumeb Private Hospital)

Walvisbay (1) - (Welwitschia Hospital)

Swakopmund (2) - (Cottage Hospital & Bismark Medical Centre)

Emergencies

International SOS (ISOS)

Tel: +264 (0) 61 230 505

Tel: +264 (0) 61 249 777

Rescue 911 Ambulance Service

Tel.: +264 (0)61 22 22 55 (24hrs)

Mobile: +264 (0)81 241 7555

Time

From the first Sunday in September to the first Sunday in April – two hours in advance of GMT = ST

From the first Sunday in April to the first Sunday in September – one hour in advance of GMT  = WT

Border Posts

Border Post	Direction	open / closed	Time (Summer)	Time (Winter)
Sendelinsdrift *	RSA Richtersveld	open	08h00 – 16h30	07h00 – 15h30
Noordoewer	Cape Town	open	24 hours	24 hours
Veloorsdrif	Pofadder	open	08h00 – 16h30	07h00 – 15h30
Ariamsvlei	Upington	open	24 hours	24 hours
Klein Menasse	Rietfontein	open	08h00 – 16h30	07h00 – 15h30
Mata Mata	Kgalagadi	open	08h00 – 16h30	07h00 – 15h30
Unions End		closed
Trans Kalahari	Botswana/ Kang	open	07h00 – 24h00	06h00 – 23h00
Mohembo	Okavango Delta	open	06h00 – 18h00	06h00 – 18h00
Ngoma	Botswana/ Kasane	open	07h00 – 18h00	07h00 – 18h00
Wanela	Zambia	open	06h00 – 18h00	06h00 – 18h00
Oshikango	Angola (main)	open	08h00 – 19h00	07h00 – 18h00
Omahenene	Angola	open	08h00 – 19h00	07h00 – 18h00
Ruacana	Angola	open	08h00 – 19h00	07h00 – 18h00

* N.B. Ferry – Only light motor vehicles

Malaria Precautions

Mainly in the North of the country, has however also been reported in the central region and occasionally in the South. It is strongly advised to make personal provision for protection against Mosquito bites.

General Safety & Security

• Never leave your vehicle unlocked
• Do not leave valuable items or handbags visible in your vehicle
• Place valuable items in the safe of the establishment where you are staying
• Do no open your wallet when you are in the street
• Do not wander around on your own late at night especially in the more deserted suburbs

Roads & Travel Planning

B Roads - Tarred roads

C Roads - Gravel Roads (wide & generally well maintained)

D Roads - District Roads – smaller gravel roads often leading through farmland with gates to open and close, in some areas sandy or corrugated surface, erosions and potholes.

• Advisable speed on gravel roads 80 km/h
• Always switch on the headlights of your vehicle
• Watch out for game (Kudu, Oryx, Warthogs, small buck)
• It is compulsory to carry your valid drivers licence with you when driving

When planning routes do not plan according to km travelled only but take roads and scenery into consideration. e.g. travelling 300km on a gravel road takes far more time than 300km tarred roads. Tourists tend to stop more often to admire scenery etc. especially in the South

What to do in Windhoek

Apart from the Historical Sights there are a number of activities offered in- and around Windhoek:

• Township Tours
• Quad Biking and 4x4 adventures
• Golfing
• Visit to the Craft Centre
• Various Day Trips to Lodges and Parks close to Windhoek

NationalWestCoast Recreation Area

The rich coastal and marine ecosystems are extremely fragile and vulnerable to damage. We all need to protect them for our present and future enjoyment.

Various rules and regulations were laid down and implemented regarding a number of activities in this area, which are also subject to a permit.

Permits for Angling, Collecting Bait & Mussels & Diving for Crayfish:

Ministry of Fisheries & Marine Resources

Swakopmund Office: Tel: +264 (0)64 410 100 (NATMIRC/Aquarium, Strand Street Swakopmund)

Walvis Bay Office: Tel: +264 (0)64 201 6111 (Inspectorate Office, 1^st Street, Walvis Bay)

Permits for Off-road driving:

Ministry of Environment & Tourism

Swakopmund Office: Tel: +264 (0)64 404 576 (Cnr Bismarck Street & Sam Nujoma Avenue, Swakopmund)

Walvisbay Office: Tel: +264 (0)64 205 971/2 (643 Heinrich Baumann Street, Walvisbay)

Office Hours:

Mon – Fri: 08h00 – 13h00 / 14h00 – 17h00

Sat, Sun & Public Holidays: 08h00 – 13h00