Namibia2023-10-26T13:41:20+02:00
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Travel tips for Namibia

Top 5 Experiences

From the world’s oldest desert to 6000-year-old rock paintings and the fertile Caprivi Strip, Namibia is a land of contrasts, both scenic and cultural. Among the indisputable highlights are:

Desert

Savannah is the country’s defining landscape: whether it is the red-sanded Kalahari Desert or the characteristic Namib Desert with the famous dunes of Sossusvlei. Namibia is where unique scenery and boundless space meet an unforgettable display of colours.

Safari

The Etosha National Park with its famous salt pan is one of the main attractions of the country. Here one can see the „Big Five“ as well as numerous antelope species, zebras and many more. But also in other parts of the country one does not miss out on the safari experience, one can meet for example an oryx antelops in the Namib Naukluft Park, a giraffe in the Kalahari Desert or an elephant in the Kaza Transfrontier Park.

Cultural Heritage

Ovambo, Herero, Damara, Himba, San… these are only some of the tribes living here. The San, also called Bushmen, are considered to be the oldest living culture existing today. During a visit to the tribe one can learn how the former nomadic people lived and survived. Also an insight into the life of the other tribes should not be missing on a journey, whether with the hunters of the Damara, the cattle breeders of the Ovambo and Herero or the semi-nomads of the Himba.

Active Tours

A paradise for outdoor lovers, both on land and on water! Hiking fans will enjoy the Fish River Canyon, the Naukluft Mountains or a multi-day desert tour. Alternatively, dune surfing or kayaking on the Atlantic Ocean will delight active vacationers.

Caprivi

The Caprivi Strip with its wet savannah climate offers a real contrast to the rest of the country. The dense, lush forest land is home to buffaloes, hippos and a variety of birds. The best way to explore the area is by safari truck or boat, but a trip to visit one of the local tribes is also recommended.

Tourist infrastructure

The flight connections from Europe are well developed, whereas Windhoek is serving as the starting and end point of all connections. With its well-developed infrastructure, Namibia offers best conditions for a self-drive with a rental car. The road network covers more than 45,000 kilometres, the majority of which is not asphalted but has a gravel or earth layer. These difficult road conditions lead to heavy wear and tear, and therefore, high insurance costs for the vehicles.

Within the country there are many beautiful accommodations, which are mostly adapted to the surrounding landscape and offer a special atmosphere. Since the number of rooms is limited, it is recommended to book in advance during the high season.

Climate and travel season

The seasons in Namibia are opposite to Europe, it can rain in the warm summer (November-March), and winter (May-September) is very dry. The temperatures are in the winter months at a pleasant 20 – 25°C, in the summer at 30 – 35°C. The best time to travel is between May and September, as temperatures are mild at this time of year and it hardly rains. For the best safari experience, the end of the Namibian winter (August-September) is recommendable, as the dryness gathers many animals at the few watering holes.

Visa and entry

Germans, Austrians and Swiss do not need a visa for entry. Upon arrival, travellers receive a free entry stamp (Visitors Entry Permit), which is valid for a maximum of 90 days. The machine-readable passport must be valid on entry for at least 6 months beyond departure and contain at least two free pages for endorsements.

Since the regulations can change at any time, all information are non-binding and without guarantee. Please observe the visa regulations and the current information of the Federal Foreign Office / Federal Ministry European and International Affairs / Federal Department of Foreign Affaires at all times.

Impressions from Namibia

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Stories

Our partners for Namibia

General updates

Federal Foreign Office (GER) ➝

Federal Ministry European and International Affairs (GER)

Federal Department of
Foreign Affairs (GER) ➝

Information of the
Tourism Board

Country Information

Current accessibility

  • Information on entry:

    Entry into Namibia from Germany, Austria and Switzerland is possible via the Hosea Kutako International Airport in Windhoek and the Walvis Bay Airport. The following national borders are open: Nakop / Ariamsvlei and Vioolsdrift / Noordoewer with South Africa, Ngoma, Mohembo, Mamuno and Impalila Island with Botswana and Katima Mulilo with Zambia. The Namibian government requires all travelers from the age of 5 without exception to submit a negative PCR test, which must not be older than 7 days and was issued by a laboratory certified in the country of departure. Children under 5 years of age are exempt from this rule. The negative PCR test results according to the Trusted Travel Initiative of the African Union or the Global Haven platform must be available in digital form that has been generated via the Trusted Travel platform or checked via the Global Haven system. To do this, travelers must visit a laboratory authorized by the Trusted Travel Initiative of the African Union for a PCR test or upload their test result to the Global Haven System website for review. For return travelers who need Covid-19 tests to enter their home countries, the private laboratories Pathcare Namibia and OSH-Med International with laboratories accredited by the Trusted Travel Platform offer tests in their laboratories at one’s own cost.

  • Information on return:

    Since March 30, 2021, all travellers, no matter from which country they are coming and which means of transportation they use, must present a negative PCR or PoC test, a proof of complete vaccination, for instance the digital Covid-Certificate from the EU (Green Pass), or a proof of recovery from a Covid-19 infection, which was completed at least 28 days ago and is maximum 6 months old, before entering the Federal Republic of Germany. The PCR test must be performed at the earliest 72 hours and the PoC-test 48 hours before the start of the return journey. In addition, travellers must register their entry at the entry portal www.einreiseanmeldung.de➝ before arriving in Germany and carry proof of the corresponding registration with them. For stays in high risk areas classified by the RKI➝ there is a 10-day quarantine obligation. The quarantine can solely be prevented when a proof of complete vaccination or a proof of recovery from a Covid-19 infection, which was completed at least 28 days ago and is maximum 6 months old, was submitted on the entry portal. After five days at the earliest, travellers who are not vaccinated or did not recover from a Covid-19 infection can undergo a Covid-19 test. With a subsequent negative result, the quarantine obligation can be ended early. For stays in virus mutation areas a negative PCR-test, which must be performed at the earliest 72 hours before entering, needs to be shown before return and a fourteen-day quarantine must to be entered without possibility to shorten it.

    All travellers older than 12 years, must present a negative PCR or PoC test, a proof of complete vaccination, for instance the digital Covid-Certificate from the EU (Green Pass), or a proof of recovery from a Covid-19 infection before entering Austria. The PCR-test must be performed at the earliest 72 hours and the PoC-test 48 hours before the start of the return journey. Since January 15, 2021, travellers must register their entry here ➝ („Pre-Travel-Clearance“) before arrival. With the above mentioned certifications a quarantine can be fully prevented when entering from a country classified as safe. The certifications can be handed in 24 hours later if no hotel stay is planned. For vaccinated people arriving from countries not classified as safe or from virus mutations areas the quarantine does not apply neither. Non-vaccinated people however need to present a negative Covid-test or a proof of recovery as well as enter a 10-day quarantine. After five days at the earliest, travellers can undergo a Covid-19 test. With a subsequent negative result, the quarantine obligation can be ended early.

    All air as well as transit passengers who are not fully vaccinated or did not surpass a Covid-19 infection within the past 6 months must register their entry on www.swissplf.admin.ch before or during arrival in Switzerland and need to carry the generated QR-code with them. Air passengers older than 16 years must present a negative PCR or PoC test, a proof of complete vaccination, for instance the digital Covid-Certificate from the EU (Green Pass), or a proof of recovery from a Covid-19 infection before entering. The PCR-test must be performed at the earliest 72 hours and the PoC-test 48 hours before the start of the return journey. Air as well as transit passengers who are not fully vaccinated or did not surpass a Covid-19 infection as well need to enter a 10-day quarantine and present a PCR-test. In addition, they need to inform their corresponding cantonal authority latest within two days after arrival. After seven days at the earliest, travellers can undergo a Covid-19 test. With a subsequent negative result, the quarantine obligation can be ended early. The obligation to test or enter quarantine does not apply to fully vaccinated people who can present a certificate such as the EU Digital Certificate or a Swiss Covid certificate.

Covid-19

Corona precautionary measures

  • Restrictions in the country:

    A minimum distance of 1.5 m must be maintained in all closed facilities. Regular hand washing and the use of disinfectants is advisable. There is no curfew in place. Leisure facilities, such as shops and restaurants, are open in compliance with hygiene measures. The sale and serving of alcohol is limited. Gatherings with up to 200 people are allowed.

  • Mouth and nose protection:

    Namibia has a nationwide mask obligation that everyone in public areas must comply with. When entering stores and public facilities, all visitors have their temperature taken and must disinfect their hands

  • Hygiene measures in the country:

    The Namibia Tourism Board published a Standard Operating Procedure Document (PDF) based on the guidelines and advice of the World Health Organization (WHO). These measures are mandatory for all tourism companies and are intended to ensure a safe stay for all travellers.

Status: 12.11.2021

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