About Namibia

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  Namibia is Africa at its best, with friendly, natural people, endless savannah and bushland and an amazingly diverse animal world, protected in the vast Etosha National Park and in many other game reserves. Namibia is an adventure, but one doesn’t need to be an adventurer to appreciate Namibia. A well maintained road network, comfortable hotels, lodges and guestvfarms make travelling a pleasure. Its people speak nine different languages, including some of the Khoisan languages which include the ‘clicks’ that present an enigma to most native English-speakers.

  Namibia gained independence from South Africa on 21 March 1990, following the Namibian War of Independence. Its capital and largest city is Windhoek. Namibia is a member state of the United Nations (UN), the Southern African Development Community (SADC), the African Union (AU), and the Commonwealth of Nations. For more information about Namibia, visit the government’s information portal www.grnnet.gov.na.

  Fast Facts About Namibia
  Country Area: Namibia covers 824,292 sq km (318,259 sq mi). Location: Situated on the southwestern coast of Africa, Namibia borders Angola and Zambia in the north, South Africa in the south and Botswana in the east. Population: Slightly more than 2.2 million Capital City: Windhoek
  Statehood Official Name: Republic of Namibia Date of Independence: 21 March 1990 System of Government: Multi-party Democracy Head of State: President Hifikepunye Pohamba Prime Minister: Nahas Angula
  Cultural Language: English, German, Afrikaans, Bantu and Khoisan Religion: 90% Christianity, 10% Indigenous
  Good to Know Medical Insurance: Ask your medical aid, whether you are covered when travelling in Namibia. If not, you should take out a medical travel insurance. Currency: The Namibia Dollar (N$). The Namibia Dollar and South African Rand are the only legal tender in Namibia and can be used freely to purchase goods and services. Time Zones: Summer time: GMT + 2 hours from the 1st Sunday in September to the 1st Sunday in April. Winter time: GMT + 1 hour from the 1st Sunday in April to the 1st Sunday in September. Electricity: 220 volts AC, 50hz. Outlets are of the round three-pin type. Adapters are for sale at most supermarkets. Telecommunications: The Namibian telephone net is satisfactory. Namibia has a fully developed modern mobile net which works in the bigger towns. One can phone everywhere in Namibia with GSM dual band. The country code is 264. Value Added Tax (VAT): VAT is charged at 15%. If one has bought expensive items, one can produce the tax invoices and get a VAT refund at the Hosea Kutako Airport. Tips: It is customary to give a tip of 10% of the bill in restaurants. Porters receive 2 to 5 N$ and a petrol station attendant about 2 N$.
  Safety Basic precautions remain the best deterrents against becoming a victim. Be alert to your surroundings, avoid dark or isolated areas, don’t leave valuables in parked cars, and keep car doors locked and windows up while driving. Safeguard purses, wallets, and cellular phones while in public. Drivers should also exercise caution at rest stops between towns; whenever possible, avoid driving or making rest stops by the road at night.