Namibia Travel Guide
Planning your trip to Namibia? Here is a useful checklist and important travel guidance to ensure your journey is smooth, safe, and enjoyable.
TRAVEL INSURANCE
We highly recommend that you arrange comprehensive travel insurance. This should cover:
Tour cancellation or curtailment
Emergency evacuation and repatriation
Medical expenses
Loss, theft, or damage of luggage, camera equipment, and valuables
Missed flights and delays
Please arrange this before you travel and carry a printed copy of your policy.
EMERGENCY CONTACT DETAILS
Please provide the contact details of your next of kin or a trusted person in case of emergency. This should include full name, telephone number, and relationship. You can supply these details on the Booking Form we send to you.
PASSPORTS, VISAS AND VACCINATIONS
While Desert Tracks Bookings & Safaris will assist with guidance, the final responsibility for valid documentation lies with the traveler.
NAMIBIA VISA ON ARRIVAL GUIDELINES
Requirements:
Valid passport with at least 6 months validity and 3 blank pages
Proof of accommodation and travel arrangements
Travel and/or medical insurance confirmation
Confirmation of sufficient funds (a declaration is required during the online process)
Full birth certificate and parental consent letter if traveling with children
Application Process:
Scroll to E-Services and click on Visa on Arrival
Confirm your country is supported
Create an account and start a New Application
Fill in the required details
Pay the visa fee (N$ 1600 per person)
Print the e-Visa permit with QR code for presentation upon arrival
Arrival in Namibia:
Complete and sign the arrival form
Present the form and printed e-Visa permit to the immigration official
VACCINATIONS
Namibia does not require any specific vaccinations for entry unless you are arriving from or transiting through a Yellow Fever area. Please consult your doctor or travel clinic for up-to-date health advice.
LUGGAGE AND LOCAL FLIGHT GUIDELINES
For local charter or fly-in safaris:
Only soft-sided bags are permitted (no hard-shell suitcases)
Weight limit is generally 15 to 20 kg including hand luggage
Excess or oversized baggage may incur extra costs or be refused
SELF-DRIVE SAFETY AND TRAFFIC LAWS
Always drive with headlights on, even during the day
Stick strictly to speed limits; speeding will void any insurance claims
Watch for wildlife and livestock, especially at dawn and dusk
Fill up fuel regularly, as distances between stations are long
Never drive under the influence of alcohol
LOCAL CONNECTIVITY
Share your phone number with your consultant, preferably a local Namibian number
Namibian SIM cards (MTC or TN Mobile) are affordable and widely available
Wi-Fi is available at most lodges and hotels
TRAVELKEY ITINERARY APP
We recommend downloading the TravelKey App. It provides digital access to your full itinerary even without an internet connection. Available for Android and iOS. A unique code will be provided to access your trip details.
TRAVELING WITH MINORS
Minors under 18 years traveling to or from Namibia, South Africa, and Botswana are required to present the following:
Full unabridged birth certificate
Valid passport
Additional Requirements Based on Travel Situation:
With one parent: an affidavit from the other parent consenting to travel or a death certificate if deceased
With an adult who is not the parent: affidavit from both parents, certified copies of passports or identity documents, and contact details of the parents
Unaccompanied: affidavit of consent, contact details and address of receiving adult, certified copy of that adult’s passport or ID, and contact details of both parents or legal guardians
These documents are strictly enforced at all border posts and airports.
ADDITIONAL TIPS
Keep printed and digital copies of your passport, insurance, and visa
Carry cash (Namibian Dollars or South African Rand) for use in remote areas
Tipping is customary: N$ 10 to 20 for porters, N$ 50 to 100 per day for guides and drivers
Drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration
Standard electricity is 220V with South African-style three-prong plugs
QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS
For any assistance, contact us at bookings@desert-tracks.com or +264 (0)81 867 0705.
Located in southwestern Africa, Namibia boasts a well-developed infrastructure, some of the best tourist facilities in Africa, and an impressive list of breathtaking natural wonders. Visitors can explore the capital of Windhoek and discover the lovely coastal town of Swakopmund boasting remnants of the country’s German influence, reflected in the architecture, culture, cuisine and the annual Oktoberfest celebrations. To properly appreciate this extraordinary country, you will have to venture out of the cities to explore the remarkable natural landscapes Namibia has to offer. These include: the impressive Fish River Canyon; the vast Etosha National Park teeming with abundant wildlife, such as lions, desert-adapted elephants and the Hartmann's Mountain Zebra; the hauntingly beautiful Kalahari Desert; and of course the Namib Desert stretching for over 2000 km along the magnificent Atlantic Coast. Namibia is an ideal destination for travellers seeking an unforgettable African experience in a uniquely beautiful untamed wilderness.
Situated in the southern reaches of Africa, Botswana is renowned for its pristine wilderness areas characterised by deep lagoons, wetlands, lush palms, rugged hills and desert plains. The country’s primary tourist drawcard is undoubtedly the vast red expanse of the Kalahari Desert and its remarkably beautiful Okavango Delta, the largest inland delta in the world. These natural wonders provide a tranquil haven for an abundance of African wildlife to thrive. Other highlights include the impressive Makgadikgadi Salt Pans, where visitors are privy to massive zebra migrations during the flood season; the Savuti plains, which host a significant pride of lions; and the Tsodilo Hills, where 4500 rock paintings form a unique record of human settlement over many millennia.
A nation of spectacular natural beauty, friendly people and rich culture, Zimbabwe’s status as one of Africa’s leading safari destinations was dampened for years by its political instability. But now that the country is transcending its strife and returning to a state of equilibrium, it is once again emerging as a vacation highlight of the continent. Victoria Falls – known to locals as ‘The Smoke That Thunders’ – is one of the seven natural wonders of the world and the sheer power of this massive body of water plunging into the Zambezi Gorge is awe-inspiring and unforgettable. Lake Kariba, with its game-rich shores and islands, is an idyllic safari spot featuring mind-blowing sunsets; Hwange National Park is known for its huge herds of elephants; and a kayak trip down the Zambezi through the Mana Pools National Park will appeal to the intrepid traveller, providing close encounters with crocodiles, hippos and a host of other wildlife.
