Safety Tips for Your Namibia Adventure
Namibia is a generally safe destination, but it’s always a good idea to take a few simple precautions to ensure a worry-free trip. Here are some friendly safety tips:
- Keep Valuables Secure: Avoid carrying all your credit cards, cash, and travel documents together. Store spare cash and valuables in a safe place.
- Protect Your Passport: Only carry your passport when necessary. Keep a copy with family or friends at home for extra peace of mind.
- Cash & ATMs: Keep cash discreet and avoid using ATMs after dark, especially when alone. Always be aware of your surroundings and make sure no one is following you after a transaction.
- Stay Aware in Public: In busy areas like markets or internet cafés, keep an eye on your belongings.
- Avoid Risky Areas: Avoid poorly lit streets or townships at night unless you’re with a local guide. Stick to well-traveled routes when exploring remote areas.
- Travel with a Guide: Stick with your group or guide when visiting parks or reserves for an added layer of safety.
Driving Around Namibia
- Drive Safely: Be especially cautious at night, as wildlife and stray livestock can be a hazard on the roads.
- Bring Documents: Carry your driver’s license, an international permit, and make sure your insurance is up to date.
- Stay Sober: Never drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
- Lock Up: Always lock your vehicle doors and keep valuables out of sight, particularly at traffic stops.
Local Laws & Customs
- Respect Local Laws: Be mindful of local customs and laws, especially when it comes to drug use—penalties can be severe.
- Carry ID: Always carry identification, and make sure your passport is valid for at least 6 months with 2 blank pages.
- Respect Traditions: While homosexuality is legal in Namibia, always be respectful of local traditions.
- Photographing Buildings: Always ask authorities before taking photos of sensitive buildings or locations.
Money & Currency
The Namibian Dollar is tied to the South African Rand, and both currencies are accepted as legal tender.
Lost Passport
If your passport is lost or stolen, it’s best to contact the nearest embassy or consulate for assistance. Be prepared to file a police report as part of the process to get a replacement.
The name Tanzania conjures up images of wildebeest stampeding across vast savannah, rain forests teeming with monkeys and birdlife, and great plains brimming with legions of game. All of these natural wonders and more are on offer in this exceptionally diverse African nation. Visitors typically visit Tanzania to partake in at least one of the four well-known Tanzanian tourist experiences: a relaxing seaside vacation on the picturesque island paradise of Zanzibar, an underwater tour of some of the world’s most renowned dive sites around the gorgeous Spice Islands, a safari adventure in some of Africa’s most impressive game reserves, or a hiking excursion around Mount Kilimanjaro National Park. Whichever of these incredible holidays you choose, you will undoubtedly be welcomed by some fabulously friendly and peaceful inhabitants who, despite being divided into 120 different ethnic groups and cultures, live in harmony with one another and provide some of the most wonderfully exotic local cuisine you could imagine. With all of this diversity on offer, the most difficult part of your Tanzanian holiday experience is likely to be deciding where to go!
Banking and Currency
Currency
Local currency: Tanzanian Shilling
Symbol: TSh
ISO code: TZS
Subunit: Cent
Banknotes: 500, 1000, 2000, 5000, and 10 000 shillings
Coins: 50, 100, 200 and 500 shillings
Banking
Card Transactions: Yes
ATMs: Yes, in major cities
Mastercard: Yes
Visa: Yes
American Express: No
Diner’s club: No
Banking Hours:
Weekdays: Generally 8:30 AM - 4:00 PM
Saturdays: Generally 8:30 AM - 12:30 PM
Sundays and Public Holidays: Closed
Foreign exchange services: Yes
Travel, Transport and Getting Around
Air:
Main airlines: Air Tanzania
International Airports: Julius Nyerere International Airport (Dar es Salaam), Kilimanjaro International Airport (Arusha), Abeid Amani Karume International Airport (Zanzibar)
Domestic Airports: Arusha Airport, Dodoma Airport
Road:
Driving on the: Left
Tar roads: Yes
Gravel roads: Yes
Valid International Driver's License needed: Yes
Car hire available: Yes
Taxis: Yes
E-hailing services: Yes
Bus:
Inter-city bus services: Yes
Local city bus networks: Yes
Rail:
Railway system: Limited
Subway System: No
Water:
Ferries: Yes
Water taxis: Yes
Leisure cruises: Yes
Food, Drink and Cuisine Advice
Food and water safety:
Can you drink the tap water: No
Fresh fruit and veg: Yes, with strict precaution
Ice: No
Meat: Yes, when cooked thoroughly and served hot
Street food: No
Local cuisine: Tanzanian cuisine reflects its diverse cultural influences, offering a blend of Indian, Arab, and European flavors. Staple foods include ugali (maize porridge), nyamachoma (grilled meat), pilau (spiced rice), and chapati. Traditional dishes like mshikaki (marinated meat skewers) and samosas are popular street foods. Don't miss trying the Swahili cuisine with its rich seafood dishes.
Drinks: Notable local drinks include Tangawizi (ginger soda), Tembo (local beer), and Konyagi (a spirit).
Tipping: 10-15%
Climate and Weather
Annual rainfall: Varies by region, averaging around 1,000 mm
Average temperature: 25°C
Summer:
Average highs: 30°C
Average lows: 20°C
Winter:
Average highs: 25°C
Average lows: 15°C
Best time to visit: The best time to visit Tanzania is during the dry season, from June to October, when wildlife viewing in national parks like Serengeti and Ngorongoro is optimal.
Clothing and Dress Recommendations
Spring and Summer
Cool, light, breathable and comfortable: Yes
Lightweight warm clothes: No
Winter and Autumn
Jerseys, cardigans, sweaters, jackets: Recommended
Heavyweight clothing and boots: No
General
Umbrella and raincoat: Yes
Warm gloves, hat and scarf: Yes
Swimming costume (bathing suit): Yes
Hat, sunglasses and sunblock: Yes
Walking shoes: Yes
Casual: Yes
Smart-casual attire: Yes
Internet Availability
Internet cafes: Yes
Accommodation options: Yes
Restaurants: Yes
Cafes: Yes
Shopping malls: Yes
Public parks: Yes
Libraries: Yes
Electricity and Plug Standards
Plug Type: Type D and Type G
Voltage (V): 230
Frequency Hertz (Hz): 50'
* A travel plug adapter and voltage converter might be necessary depending on your appliances.
