Organize your stay Namibia
Money Namibia
The local currency is the Namibian dollar (N$ or NAD), which has a fixed parity with the South African rand (ZAR): 1 N$ = 1 ZAR. South African rands can also be used in Namibia. The reverse is not true, as Namibian dollars cannot be used in South Africa. Depending on the exchange rate, which fluctuated sharply with the coronavirus crisis, 1 euro is worth more or less 19 Namibian dollars.
Budget & Tips Namibia
Namibia is a highly unequal country, with a minority of the population enjoying considerable purchasing power. As a tourist, you will fall into this category, and you can expect the activities you undertake to be quite expensive. The daily budget depends very much on the type of accommodation you choose, with a big difference between campsites at around €10 per person per night and lodges that can easily cost upwards of €120 per night: it's up to you!
There are community camps, government restcamps, city hostels, guestfarms, guesthouses or guestranchs, small hotels and lodges.
Apart from the air fare, the biggest drain on your budget will be renting a car, especially a fully-equipped 4 × 4 for camping, but it's definitely worth it. A group of 4 people is ideal for dividing this expense.
The cost of renting a vehicle remains high. Namibia can be visited perfectly well with a standard car, but try to ask for a model with a certain chassis height for greater comfort. Note that where a 4 x 4 is really required, so is off-road driving experience!
An increase in park entry fees came into effect in 2021. Activities outside the national parks, often offered by lodges(game drive, 4 x 4, sundowner...) are expensive and vary from one address to another. The activities on offer in Swakopmund remain affordable for the simplest (dune surfing, fishing, boat or sea kayak trips...).
Eating out is cheap by European standards. A full meal in a restaurant won't cost more than N$150 to N$250 on average, although there are a few large restaurants that will put a little more strain on the wallet.
Passport and visas Namibia
Until now, visas were not required for French nationals. What was required was a valid passport (valid for at least six months after the end of the intended stay) and a return ticket. Holders of French passports were issued with tourist residence permits for up to 90 days, free of charge on arrival, including at immigration control at Windhoek airport. However, in May 2024, the Namibian government announced the introduction of a compulsory, fee-paying visa for 31 countries, including France, Belgium, Luxembourg and Canada, in the interests of reciprocity. In June 2024, the procedures for issuing this visa were specified. From April1, 2025, tourists from these countries will be required to obtain a short-stay visa, either online or on arrival, for a fee of N$1,600 (around 80 euros).
Driver's license Namibia
It is strongly recommended to have your French driving license translated or to obtain an international driving license, to avoid being in an awkward position with Namibian police officers. Car rental is very easy from the country's airports or main cities, and comes with local insurance. Please note that in Namibia and throughout the SADC region, you drive on the left and with the steering wheel on the right.
Health Namibia
There are very few health risks in Namibia, protected by its dry climate. No vaccinations are required to stay in Namibia, and the hospital network is more than adequate. It may be useful to take a few anti-malarial drugs if you plan to travel to the north (Etosha and beyond) during the rainy season. Water is drinkable in the major towns, and bottled water is readily available in any supermarket or gas station.
To avoid sunstroke, avoid sudden and prolonged exposure to the sun, and don't forget to wear a hat and sunglasses when out in the open in off-road vehicles, on walks or when crossing the river by boat. Worriers be reassured: the risk of succumbing to a snake bite or scorpion sting is minimal, if not non-existent. But check your shoes in the morning and don't leave them in front of the tent overnight, watch where you put your feet when walking and make sure you zip up your tent or bungalow door, especially in late winter when snakes come out in search of a little warmth. Venom suction systems have not really proved their worth. The best thing to do in the event of a bite is to move as little as possible, bandage the affected limb (but not tourniquet it) above and below the bite, so as to block the blood capillaries only, and call the emergency services for evacuation to the nearest health center.
For further information, consult the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs' "advice to travellers" website.
In the bush, you obviously can't behave as if you were in a large public garden... If a first glance around reveals no creatures, this doesn't mean that a lion isn't watching you, its golden fur blending into the orange-yellow of the savannah. Wild animals can be dangerous. Elephants, lions and other behemoths of the African fauna are not without their dangers for travelers, and no one is supposed to ignore the law... of nature. So it's important to adopt good Bushman behaviour, such as never getting out of a vehicle in close proximity to felines, as this would cause the unfortunate traveller to emerge from the vehicle's imposing mass and become prey in the eyes of the predator. Always follow the instructions given in the protected areas or by the guides.
However, if Namibia is a healthy place, how could it be otherwise in a desert?
Mandatory vaccination Namibia
No vaccinations are required in Namibia if you are arriving from France. However :
travelers arriving from countries where yellow fever is endemic must present proof of vaccination against this disease (up-to-date vaccination booklet, vaccination certificate) on arrival at the airport or border post;
up-to-date diphtheria-tetanus-poliomyelitis (DTP) vaccination is recommended, as is rubella-mumps-measles vaccination for children; tuberculosis vaccination is also advisable (particularly for travel to townships and the north of the country);
depending on local travel conditions, vaccinations against typhoid fever and viral hepatitis A and B may be recommended;
vaccination against rabies may also be recommended in certain cases, depending on the conditions and location of the trip, particularly for children staying for long periods in the north of the country (Kunene, Omusati, Oshana, Ohangwena, Oshikoto, Kavango and Caprivi regions). Ask your doctor or an international vaccination center for advice.
Security Namibia
Namibia is a very safe destination, and no mishaps should happen to you. However, there are a few points to bear in mind: do not leave personal belongings or valuables unattended or visible in a vehicle; do not pick up a hitchhiker; use official cabs to get around town, especially in the evening; never visit townships without being accompanied by people you trust and who know the area well; limit your movements on foot at night; strictly observe traffic regulations; and take two spare wheels and several water bottles with you on long journeys. To check your card or make a phone call, it's best to stop off at a service station, as the sometimes little-frequented streets of city centers offer a perfect breeding ground for petty thieves.
In the event of a problem, the police can be called on 10111.
The greatest danger in Namibia is on the road, and speeding is the cause. The defective state of some roads is not always suspected, especially the gravel roads, which appear to be smooth and safe but are not always so. Loss of control is a frequent occurrence. To avoid them, don't hesitate to reduce tire pressure. In the event of an accident, medical assistance may take several hours to arrive, so it's best to be aware of this.
Time difference Namibia
There is almost no time difference between France and Namibia, ideal for avoiding jet-lag when you get off the plane. There is only a one-hour time difference between Windhoek and Paris from November to April. When it's noon in Paris, it's 1pm in Windhoek.
Spoken languages Namibia
Namibia is a multi-ethnic country where many languages are spoken. The most widely used language is English, closely followed by Afrikaans and Oshiwambo - but you'll find it hard to learn these in just a few days!
Communication Namibia
Telephone coverage and Internet quality are pretty good for such a sparsely populated country. However, it's best not to rely on the national network (we recommend MTC for SIM card purchases) outside the cities. If you need to go to particularly remote places, don't hesitate to rent a satellite phone that you can use in an emergency.
Electricity and measurements Namibia
Sockets in South Africa and Namibia are very particular, and the universal chargers found in Europe are often of no use. Ideally, you should buy an adapter at your hotel or supermarket. For the rest, the metric system is aligned with the French one.
Luggage Namibia
Whatever the season, bring a little of everything: swimsuit, hat, sandals and walking shoes, shorts, cotton shirts and T-shirts, pullovers, pants or long skirts for evening wear, cotton socks. Dress in luxury lodges and hotels is generally casual. Of course, sun cream is essential, as is a headlamp if you plan to camp. A K-Way is only necessary between December and March. Nights can be chilly and days are always scorching hot: be prepared for this by taking warm, lightweight clothing. In the dry winter season, from June to September: a windproof anorak, fleece, thick woollen socks, gloves, scarves and hats are essential when you wake up in the morning, and in the late afternoon when the sun sets, at around 5.30pm. For your future safari, avoid flashy red or fluorescent colors to avoid scaring off the animals. Completely white outfits are also to be avoided, as the animals can spot them from a distance, but also because of the constant dust baths during game drives. Avoid black, which is unpleasant because it absorbs the heat of the sun's rays.
Electrical outlets in Namibia differ from those in Europe, so don't forget to bring an adapter, which can be purchased locally if necessary. Don't forget your passport. Your national and international driving license or an official translation is sufficient. And don't forget your road maps and directions. An application such as Track4Africa, for smartphone or GPS, can be useful. Namibian dollar (N$) and rand. Credit card (Visa and MasterCard).
Some local addresses. Windhoek is full of "safari" stores, where you'll find a vast choice of shirts (cotton, lightweight, many pockets, khaki color...), shorts, kudu-skin shoes and other good-quality hiking boots. To keep out the cold, you'll find fleeces and warm jackets at Cape Union Mart, a South African chain present in Windhoek's major shopping centers.
