Namibia at Solitude

Travel Insurance
For your safety and peace of mind, and in order to recover expenses resulting from unforeseen circumstances (that may occur as a result of remote locations and practicalities), it is essential that you arrange Travel Insurance to cover cancellation, curtailment, emergency evacuation, medical and repatriation expenses, damage/theft/loss of personal luggage, money and goods. Comprehensive travel insurance is excluded from the quoted costs, and it is sole responsibility of the Client to obtain at the time of confirmation.

Travel Documents

• Valid passport (with at least 6 months validity and 3 blank pages)
• Visas are required and can be obtained upon arrival or online. Confirm your country’s visa requirements before applying.

Online visa platform:  https://eservices.mhaiss.gov.na/visaonarrival
Desert Africa Safaris can provide you with the invitation letter for your application of the visa upon arrival.

• Bring your driver’s license and international permit for self-drive trips. You will be noticed upfront if a rental vehicle companies request these documents prior to arrival.
• When traveling with children bring unabridged birth certificates and child’s passport. If only one parent is present, provide proof of consent from the absent parent, such as an affidavit, death certificate, or a court order. All documents need to be in English.
• Have insurance documents, bank cards and emergency contact information readily available
• Inform your bank prior to travelling to allow ATM withdrawals.

What to pack:

Clothes and other items

• Comfortable clothes made of soft, natural, and breathable fabrics are ideal for long trips.
• Toned down colours are recommended for game drives, not necessarily throughout your safari experience.
• Warm clothes are essential if traveling during the high season of June to October as mornings and evenings can be chilly. Winters in Namibia can reach below freeze point.
• Swimming costumes for the nice warm summer safaris as most accommodation facilities have pools
• Hiking shoes and flipflops and well-worn trainers are recommended for camping trips and hikes.
• Long-sleeved clothes are advised to prevent mosquito bites and protect against the desert sun.
• Prescription medication – ensure you bring enough to last the duration of your trip.
• Glasses – if you wear contact lenses, consider bringing glasses in case dust and dry climate conditions cause irritations.
• Hat, good quality sunglasses and high factor sunscreen.
• Charger for electronic devices.

Luggage and Bags

If you have booked a self-drive or guided road trip, any type of luggage is suitable as long as it fits in the vehicle’s luggage compartment.

Luggage Allowance on Private Charter and Seat-in Shuttle Flights

The standard allowable average is 10 - 20 kg luggage per person. Please note that this allowance may vary and be amended in accordance with a passenger’s actual weight. Clients will be asked to provide their body weight and that of their luggage.

No single item of luggage may exceed the following measurements: Length: 62cm (24 inches); Width: 25cm (10 inches); Height: 30cm (12inches). This includes hand-luggage and camera equipment.

Only Soft Bags Are Permitted

No rigid structures, including but not limited to, frames, tools, wheels etc. are allowed

Vaccines & Malaria
No vaccinations are required for entry into Namibia, unless you are travelling from a yellow fever area.
Malaria is present in some areas (particularly in the far north), but not in the central or southern regions. We’ll advise you during your itinerary planning based on where you’ll be travelling. Many luxury lodges are in low- to no-risk malaria zones. Most facilities provide insect and mosquito repellent in the rooms.

Electricity

Most camps/lodges in provide electricity for their guests. This is sometimes limited due being obtained via solar power or due to generators that do not run for 24 hours a day, but in general they provide sufficient power to provide 24-hour light, hot water and charging facilities. Socket points generally fit the South African round, 3 pin plugs; the European 2 pin plugs; or the UK square, 3 pin plugs. Sockets generally provide 220 – 230 Volts. To avoid disappointment, we suggest that you travel with your own universal adaptor and different accommodations may provide different socket types. Always check your device's label for voltage compatibility (100-240V is dual voltage) and bring a Type G adapter, or a universal one, as it's the most common. 

Currency

The official currency in Namibia is the Namibian Dollar (NAD). It is fixed to the South African Rand (ZAR) at a 1:1 rate, and the ZAR is also legal tender in Namibia. However, the Namibian Dollar is generally not accepted in other countries, including South Africa or Botswana, so visitors traveling onwards need to exchange it before leaving Namibia.

Tipping & Gratuities

• Restaurants: 10% of the total bill for satisfactory services.
• Lodges and Hotels: N$ 50-150 per person per night, distributed among staff
• Pilots & Private Guides: N$1500-3000 per overnight safari depending on the length of the trip
• Safari Guides:

• N$ 60-120 per guest for a half day activity
• N$ 120-250 per guest for a full day activity

• Car Guards: Tip an amount like the parking fee. Where no parking fee is applicable, a N$10.00 is acceptable depending on the time you parked. Bear in mind that they rely on this tip.
• Porters: N$ 10-20 per bag

Safety and Security

• Keep valuables out of sight and use a hotel safe.
• Be aware of your surroundings
• Avoid displaying or travelling with large sums of money.
• Do not leave your car unattended at fuel stops, always keep car doors locked and windows shut.
• Keep valuables out of sight in a safe and secure place inside the vehicle
• Avoid entering townships at night without a guide
• Keep cell phones and other devices safe in backpacks or handbags. Carry backpacks and handbags securely around your body.
• When taking group pictures avoid asking a stranger to take the pictures.
• Avoid wearing extravagant clothes and expensive jewellery
• Do not hail taxis from the street, particularly in Windhoek.
• Avoid taking pictures in secure areas (e.g. Government buildings)
• Penalties for illegal activities can be severe, including wildlife-related offenses.
• Always make sure that you are two or more at the ATMs for safety in numbers.
• Only personnel wearing reflective jackets are official guards.