Local time is GMT +1 (GMT +2 from the first Sunday in April to the first Sunday in September).
Electrical current is 220 volts, 50Hz. Round three-pin plugs are standard.
English is the official language, but many people also speak Afrikaans and German. There are also several indigenous languages spoken, mainly in the rural areas.
Typhoid, hepatitis A, and hepatitis B vaccinations are recommended for travel to Namibia. Safety regulations in Namibia require all visitors to have a yellow fever certificate if arriving from an infected area. There is a malaria risk in the northern region of Namibia during the rainy season (January to April).HIV/AIDS is prevalent and precautions are essential, although travellers are seldom at risk unless engaging in unprotected sex. Cholera outbreaks do occur and visitors should drink only boiled or bottled water, avoiding ice in drinks.There has been an increase in the incidents of rabies among dogs in Windhoek, so travellers at risk of animal bites should consider a rabies vaccination. There are good medical facilities in Windhoek, but medical insurance is essential as treatment is expensive.Outside of the main cities, medical treatment may be hard to come by. Travellers to Namibia should seek medical advice at least four weeks prior to departure. For peace of mind, it is best to take prescription medications along when travelling.Medicines should be kept in their original packaging and accompanied by a signed and dated letter from a doctor, detailing why the medication is needed.
Tips of 10 percent are expected where a service charge has not been included in the bill. Tour guides, game rangers, and trackers rely on tips for their income and should be tipped accordingly.
The majority of visits to Namibia are safe and trouble free. But street crime and pickpockets are on the increase in Windhoek and other town centres. Theft from vehicles is common, especially at service stations, and valuables should be kept out of sight and the car locked.Avoid using taxis if possible and never take one alone, taking special care when travelling in the Caprivi Strip. One should travel in daylight hours only, both for general safety and to avoid livestock which wander onto roads causing accidents.Additionally, stay on the main tarred highway as there is a risk of undiscovered landmines left over from the Angolan civil war. The terrorism threat in Namibia is very low, with no major incidents of violence against foreigners reported. At all times, travellers should carry identification like photocopies of passports.
It is best to check before taking pictures of State House or properties where the President is residing, as well as any buildings guarded by the army or police. Homosexuality is criminalised in Namibia, although these laws may not always be enforced.
Business in Namibia is somewhat formal, although drinking and socialising are an important part of building good working relationships. Standard business etiquette applies. Dress tends to be formal, with more lightweight materials worn in the hotter seasons, and punctuality is important.People shake hands on greeting and leaving, and should generally be polite and professional. English is the language of business, though German and Afrikaans are widely spoken. Business hours are usually 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.
The international access code for Namibia is +264. The outgoing code is 00 followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 0027 for South Africa). City/area codes are in use, e.g. (0)61 for Windhoek.A GSM 900/1800 mobile network covers most towns and major highways. Large parts of the country are not covered by the mobile network. A satellite phone is a good backup option for those heading off the beaten track.Internet cafes are pretty common in Windhoek and Walvis Bay. Wifi is increasingly available in hostels, hotels, lodges and guesthouses, but the signal rarely extends beyond the reception area.
Travellers to Namibia over 16 years do not have to pay duty on 400 cigarettes, 50 cigars and 250g of tobacco; 2 litres wine and 1 litre spirits or liquor; 50ml perfume and 250ml of eau de toilette; and gifts to the value of N$50,000.
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