Namibia

Namibia is home to the infamous Skeleton Coast, and it is here where we find the Namib Desert, the World’s oldest desert, and the surreal dunes of Sossusvlei and Dead Vlei. The eastern expanses are dominated by the red dune belts of the Kalahari Desert and to the south the Fish River Canyon, the 2nd largest Canyon on earth;

The central highlands are renowned for its free-roaming wildlife and the Etosha National Park. Kaokoland and Damaraland are where we find some of the most dramatic landscapes, the uniquely adapted desert animals and the proud Ovahimba people. And to top it off – the contrast of the lush forest vegetation of the Zambezi region, part of the KAZA Transfrontier National Park.

Like the diamonds mined here, Namibia is a true gemstone waiting to be discovered. This is a destination in a million!

Encounter abundant Wildlife and the “BIG5” over 4 National Parks; the rich and diverse Wildlife of the Etosha National Park; the rare and endangered species in remote Damara and Kaokoland concessions. and along the water rich river systems of the Zambezi Region and Okavango Delta; Travel into the Mahango Game Park, Namibia’s smallest, yet one of its most diverse wildlife havens. Predators include leopard, lion, hyena and wild dog. Further east you enter the Bwabwata Game Park, another of Namibia’s wilderness areas that is bordered only by natural river systems.

Experience the spectacular carnivore encounters at the AFRICAT Foundation, who are committed to researching and rehabilitating Namibia’s threatened wild cat populations

The wide range of national parks ensure an unforgettable wildlife experience throughout the year

Here are a few of the must-see wildlife options to tick off your Bucket list;
• Big Five – Lion, Elephant, Buffalo, Rhino, Leopard plus other predators including Cheetah and Wild Dog (Etosha National Park; Zambezi Region; Mahango Game Park and the Okavango Delta)
• The largest fur seal colony in southern Africa at Cape Cross
• Join expert rangers in Damaraland tracking desert elephant or black rhino
• AFRICAT Foundation, researching and rehabilitating Namibia’s threatened wild cat populations

Experiences in Namibia;
• At least one safari must be on every visitor’s wish list!
• Explore the 2nd Largest Canyon in the world, the Fish River Canyon
• Sossusvlei, climb the highest sand dune in the world
• Visit the site of the 60-ton Hoba Meteorite near Grootfontein, globally the largest of its kind
• Experience the allure of the Namib Desert from a hot-air balloon
• Track Desert Elephant and the rare black rhino in Kaokoland
• From Sossusvlei visit Dead Vlei, a surreal white clay pan surrounded by monumental dunes and dotted with age-old Camelthorn trees
• Visit the Sesriem Canyon, an 18 million-year-old gorge eroded into the conglomerate floor
• A marine cruise on the calm waters of the Walvis Bay peninsula, where you will encounter cape fur seals, dolphins, leather back turtles and maybe even whales and orcas
• Visit the Cape Cross Seal Reserve, home to some 100 000 Cape Fur Seals
• Twyfelfontein, a World Heritage Site with over 2500 rock engravings and rock paintings covering the eroded surface of a pre-historic desert
• A visit to the Burnt Mountain and the Organ Pipes is particularly rewarding in the early morning or late afternoon hours
• Close to Twyfelfontein, you can also visit a traditional Damara village, the original inhabitants of the Damaraland. Furthermore, visit the Petrified Forest where pre-historic tree trunks jut out between patches of Welwitschia

Namibia is an all-year destination with over 300 days of sunshine.

• The wide range of national parks ensures an unforgettable wildlife experience throughout the year, the dry winter months of May through to September / October are generally better for game viewing
• In the wetter months of November through to April, calving season commences and birding as well as botanical experiences are spectacular
• Travelling in Namibia, if self-driving, is best enjoyed in a 4×2 (high vehicle clearance) or 4×4
• Try to limit daily travel to a maximum of 350km. This is sometimes unavoidable, but with the help of Cape Tours and its local partner, we manage this for our clients.
• Due to distances between towns, never allow your fuel tank to fall below half.
• Always ensure that you have plenty of water when out and about
• As the Namibia Dollar – N$ is linked to the South African Rand – ZAR (on a 1 for 1 basis), we recommend that you take ZAR. NB Please note that whilst the ZAR is legal tender in Namibia, the N$ is not legal tender and South Africa and you are only allowed to export N$500.00.
• Make sure you exchange excess N$ cash before you depart Namibia
• Credit cards are accepted at most supermarkets, restaurants and accommodation establishments in urban Namibia (Visa and Mastercard are most commonly accepted) but outlets in rural areas are more likely to only accept cash payment only, so plan accordingly
• Credit cards can NOT be used to buy petrol, so plan accordingly
• Credit Cards – please check with your provider to understand the cost implications of using your cards overseas
• Good travel insurance, to include medical cover, is highly recommended
• Adequate travel and medical insurance cover
• Mobile phone – where possible we recommend that you bring an old Pay As You Go mobile. On arrival in Namibia, purchase a Pay As You Go SIM card with airtime for use whilst on holiday (you will need to produce your itinerary as proof that you are a visitor)
• Should you prefer to take your contracted mobile phone, please ensure that your data roaming is turned-off and discuss costs with your provider. This will avoid tears at the end of your holiday!

What to Expect:

• The time difference is one hour from April to August and two hours for the rest of the year
• Health – Visitors need no special precautions for their stay, except anti-malarial treatments for those visiting the northern game reserves and tropical areas. It is however highly recommended that you discuss your travel plans with your local GP
• Namibia is generally a safe destination. Tourist venues and the country regions may be regarded as completely safe, while the normal precautions apply elsewhere
• Namibia’s climate is generally very dry and pleasant. The cold Benguela current keeps the coast cool, damp and free of rain for most of the year. Inland, all the rain falls in summer (November to April). January and February are hot, when daytime temperatures in the interior can exceed 40ºC (104ºF), but nights are usually cool. Winter nights can be cold, but days are generally warm and pleasant. The bottom line: Namibia is a year-round destination. Just pack accordingly.
• We provide you with a comprehensive planner on arrival in Namibia. The planner includes maps, directions, general information as well as a selection of discount vouchers
• We offer a 24/7 meet and greet service, which ensures your peace of mind from arrival to departure
• We offer a 24/7 emergency duty phone, which means that your immediate travel needs are taken care of quickly and efficiently

What to Bring;

• Valid passports with no less than six months validity and two blank pages
• Visas are not required for holders of UK passports. If travelling from anywhere other than the UK, please drop us an email
• If continuing your travel or starting your holiday in South Africa; Families travelling with children under the age of 18 or not with both parents are required to produce documentation on arrival. Please discuss with us.
• Electricity: 220 volts AC, 50hz. Outlets are of the round three-pin type. Adaptors for your electrical devises i.e. mobiles and cameras are necessary
• Valid drivers licence together with a valid DVLA Code (replaced the pink paper segment of UK licences)
• Sun hat, sun screen and good sun glasses
• A light fleece will suffice for most seasons. Avoid bulky coats
• Good trainers for walking and visit to game reserves will suffice
• Bring sufficient prescription medication as this may not be available in South Africa