Buckle up for an experience of a lifetime. The allure of Namibia lies in its desolate, open landscapes with endless horizons – hence its name borrowed from the word “Namib”, meaning “vast place”, coined by the indigenous Nama people.

At double the size of Germany, Namibia has a population of roughly 2.3 million, making it one of the least densely populated countries in the world. Yet it is home to 13 different ethnic groups.

Fiercely protecting its natural treasures, Namibia is one of only a few countries in the world that has environmental conservation inscribed in its Constitution. Through its communal conservancies wildlife and humans co-exist. It is world-renowned for its famous desert elephant and desert lion populations and is home to the largest populations of free-roaming black rhinos and cheetahs in the world.

Here are a few frequently asked questions:

Currency in Namibia

The official Namibian currency is the Namibian Dollar (N$ or NAD) and is equal to the South African Rand (ZAR), which is also accepted as official currency throughout Namibia. The Namibian Dollar is not a legal tender in South Africa.

Distances in Namibia

Namibia is a vast country with very long distances between cities and towns. Please use this table to plan your holiday. Note that travel times on gravel roads, depending on the conditions of the roads, are much longer. Rather plan your journey with shorter distances of not more than 300km per day.

Time zone

Central African Time (GMT + 2 hours)

Electricity

220 volts AC, 50hz. Outlets are of the round three-pin type.

Seasons

Namibia is regarded as one of the world's most sunny countries, with sunshine nearly 300 days of the year.

The summer season is from November to March, and although traditionally the wet season, rainfall is sporadic and sparse. Best is to check weather conditions as you travel. Average daily temperatures are above 30C, but it is not uncommon particularly in November, January and February to have temperatures reaching the mid 40's, so air conditioning in your vehicle is essential for travel at this time of year.

The winter season, which is also the dry season, is from April to October with mild day-time temperatures, but cold at night.

Safety

Namibia is regarded as one of the safest destinations in Africa. However, urban areas have problems with petty theft and muggings, so it’s sensible to conceal your valuables, not leave anything in your car and avoid walking alone at night. It is advisable to also always leave your rental vehicle in a guarded car park or private parking lot when staying over in towns.

tyre pressure

Check your tyre pressure regularly. For prolonged gravel road driving your tyres should be at 1.8 – 2.0kpa and that’s less than the 2.4kpa recommended for high-speed paved roads. For soft sand or rocky terrain low-speed off-road driving your tyre pressure should be around 1.4kpa. Check on your spare wheels daily and make sure they’re OK. Good spare wheels come in very handy in case of a flat on your vehicle.