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 REPUBLIC OF NAMIBIA 
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Namibia
General Information
Surface Area: 825 418 km2
Capital: Windhoek 22°34'.2" S, 17°5.167" E
Independence: 21 March 1990
First President: Dr Sam Nujoma
Current President: Hifikepunye Pohamba
Multiparty Parliament
Democratic Construction
Division of power between executive legislature, judiciary
Secular State- Freedom of Religion (90% Christian)
Freedom of Press/Media
Population
2 108 665 million
Density: 2.5 per km2
13 Regions
233 529 inhabitants in Windhoek
Official Language: English
13 Ethnic Cultures
16 Languages and Dialects
Literacy Rate: 65%
Life Expectancy: 56 Years
Population Growth Rate 2.9%
1450 Schools- 94% of children attend school
Physical Infrastructure
5450 km tarred roads
37000 km gravel roads
Main Harbours: Walvis Bay, Lüderitz
Airports & airstrips: Windhoek main airport: Hosea Kutako International, Windhoek city: Eros Airport. Airstrips: 46
Rail Network: 2382 km narrow gauge
6.2 telephone lines per 100 inhabitants
Direct-dIalling facilities to 221 countries
Mobile communication system: GSM
Agreements with 40 countries / 80 networks
Postal service affiliated with Universal Postal Union
Environment
Nature Reserves: 15% of Surface Area (105 559 km2)
Highest Mountain: Brandberg 2579m
Other Mountains: Spitzkoppe 1728m,1584 (??), Molteblick 2480m, Gamsberg 2349m
Rivers: Orange River (Southern Border with South Africa)
Kunene, Okavango, Zambezi and Kwando/Linyanti/Chobe, (Northern Border with Angola, Zambia and Botswana)
Ephemeral Rivers: Fish-, Kuiseb-, Swakop- and Ugab river
Flora
14 vegetation zones
120 species of trees
200 endemic plant species
100 species of lichen
Living Fossil plant: Welwitschia mirabilis
Fauna
Big Game: Elephant, Lion, Rhino, Buffalo, Cheetah, Leopard, Giraffe Antelope
20 Species of Antelope
240 species of mammals (14 endemic)
250 species of reptiles
50 species of Frogs
+- 630 Species of Birds
Endemic Birds: Herero Chat, Rockrunner, Damara Tern, African Fish Eagle, Monteiro's Hornbill
Economy
Main sectors: Mining, Fishing, Tourism & Agriculture
Biggest Employer: Agriculture 46%
Fastest growing sector: Tourism
Mining: Diamonds, Uranium, Copper, Lead, Zinc, Magnesium, Cadmium, Arsenic, Pyrites, Silver, and Gold, Lithium minerals, Dimension stones (granite, marble, blue sodalite) and many semi-precious stones
Entry Requirements
Passport- valid six months after date of entry
Citizens from the following countries are exempted from visa requirements if entering Namibia as bone fide tourists: Angola, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Botswana, Brazil, Canada, Cuba, France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kenya, Lesotho, Lichtenstein, Luxembourg, Malawi, Malaysia, Mozambique, Netherlands, New Zealand, Portugal , Russia, Scandinavian Countries, Singapore, Spain, Swaziland, Switzerland, Tanzania, UK, USA, Zambia, Zimbabwe.
For further info contact
Ministry of Home Affairs: Tel (++264-61) 292-2102
Social Infrastructure
One medical doctor per 3650 people
Windhoek: two privately run hospitals
Intensive-care units
Medical practitioners-world standard
24 Hours medical emergency services
Foreign Represenation
More than 50 countries have Namibian consular or embassy representation in Windhoek. For more information,
Contact: Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Information and Broadcasting
Tel (+264 61) 282 9111
Drivers Licences
It is the responsibility of the client who undertakes a Self-Drive Tour in Southern Africa, to obtain a valid international Driver’s Licence before the departure date, must be in English.
The licence of the country of origin must be presented too.
Transport
Public transport NOT available to all destinations in Namibia. Bus service from Windhoek- Cape Town/Johannesburg/Vic Falls/Swakopmund.
Namibia's main railway line runs from the South African border, connecting Windhoek to Swakopmund in the West and Tsumeb in the North.
Desert Express operates a scenic route between Windhoek and the Coast.
Extensive Network of international and regional flights from Windhoek. Domestic Charters to all destinations.
Visas, Passports & Health Regulations
Crown Tours & Safaris Namibia does not take any responsibility for visas and customs regulations and sees it as the duty of the clients to inform themselves before their departure about these regulations. It is the obligation of the client to ensure if he or she is medically fit and able to embark upon a tour. Clients should take professional advice about anti-malaria precautions prior to departure.
Malaria Prevention
Northern Namibia is a Malaria-endemic zone. Travelers should have the necessary medication/prophylaxis, insect repellent lotions or sprays.
It is advisable to sleep under a mosquito net at night when visiting Northern Namibia. If windows and doors are not screened with mosquito netting, keep the windows and doors closed.
Medical & Emergency Services
International SOS
Windhoek
TEL: (+264 61) 230 505/249 777
Netcare 911 Namibia
TEL: (+264 61) 22 3330
Swakopmund
TEL: (+264 64) 400 700
Tsumeb
TEL: (+264 81) 128 5501
Walvis Bay
TEL: (+264 64) 200 200
E-Med rescue
081 924
CELLPHONE/MOBILE PHONE Dial: 112
Tax & Customs
All Goods are priced to include value-added tax of 15%. Visitors may reclaim VAT.
Enquiries: Ministry of Finance TEL: (+264 61) 23 0773
Money Matters
- Currency: The Namibian Dollar (N$) is fixed to and equals the SA Rand, South African Rand is also a legal tender.
- Traveler's cheques, foreign currency, International Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Diners Club credit cards are accepted.
- Traveler’s cheques in foreign currency can be exchanged during banking hours, weekdays 09:00-15:30 and Saturdays 08:30-10:30, at any commercial bank in most towns.
- Bureau de Change offices are at the International Airport and Levinson Arcade in Windhoek.
- No Credit Cards accepted at petrol service stations. Most petrol/garage cards accepted. Personal cheques and foreign currency or foreign Traveler’s Cheques are not accepted at rest camps.
What To Pack
- As temperatures can be very high during the summer months, clothing made from cotton rather than synthetic fibres is preferable.
- During winter, light clothing combined with a sweater and/or jacket is recommended, as it becomes cold in the evenings and early mornings.
- Important items to pack: comfortable walking shoes, swimsuits, binoculars, sun hats and sun glasses, sunscreen/sun block, mosquitoes repellent and battery operated or conventional razors for visiting remote areas.
Temperature
http://www.yr.no/place/Namibia
Electrical Appliances
All run on 220/240 volts. Outlets are of the round 3-pin, 15-amps type, same as in South Africa.
International Telephone Code
To phone Namibia internationally, dial (++264) and then the local code, omitting the first 0, then the local number. Include the zero when phoning within Namibia.
Time Zone
Summer time: GMT + 2 hours from the 1st Sunday in September to the 1st Sunday in April
Winter: GMT + 1 hour from the 1st Sunday in April to the 1st Sunday in September
Drinking Water
Most tap water is purified and safe to drink, except in Opuwo. Visitors should exercise caution in rural areas.
Water Use
- Water is Namibia's scarcest commodity. Tourists can contribute positively to water-saving efforts.
- Where possible take a shower rather than a bath.
- It is illegal to wash a car using a hosepipe. Use a bucket of water and cloth instead.
- Minimize on leaving water running while shaving, brushing teeth or washing hands.
- When traveling by road ensure you have adequate drinking water.
Road Travel
- Petrol stations are available throughout Namibia and are located approximately 250 km apart. However, they do not accept credit cards as a form of payment for petrol. Ensure that you have cash (N$/SAR) or a petrol card.
- Traffic in Namibia is left-hand driven as in the United Kingdom.
- Use of seat belts in Namibia is compulsory.
- It is advisable not to drive at night because wild animals become more active at sunset and sunrise.
- Switch on the headlights of your vehicle to be more visible in dusty conditions on the road.
- Permits must be obtained when traveling to National Parks or Game Reserves.
Photographer Tips
- Keep film in a cool box especially while traveling.
- It is advisable to have all lenses fitted with UV or haze filters due to harsh light.
Safety
- When traveling by road keep your vehicle locked at all times.
- Visible articles in the car should be placed out of sight so as not to tempt petty "thieves".
- Lock valuables in a safe place.
- As in any country: Be aware of handbag snatchers, pickpockets or suspicious looking persons.
Fire Arms
- Hand guns are not permitted in Namibia.
Declare all firearms and ammunition irrespective of where the permit was obtained.
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