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MODULE 1

FUN FACTS

MODULE 1:

Fun Facts

MODULE 2:

How to sell Namibia

MODULE 3:

Places in Namibia

MODULE 4:

Parks and Wildlife

MODULE 5:

Itineraries

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INTRODUCTION

Welcome to ‘Knowing Namibia’, the online training programme that introduces you to all that this truly unique destination has to offer.

From its arid African grasslands to its otherworldly deserts, Namibia really does have it all. Think canyons and coasts, deserts and dunes, wildlife and wetlands – this training programme will take you on a journey through it all. There's a whole host of amazing areas with the lush winds of the Zambezi Region (formerly the Caprivi Strip) in the North and Africa’s largest Canyon in the South – this country is what bucket-lists were made for.

Here are just a few facts that you should know about Namibia…

Its capital city is Windhoek.

Officially called the Republic of Namibia, it is a large country on the southwest coast of Africa.

From 1884 Namibia was a German colony, hence the majority of its towns being named after German words. It wasn’t until 21 March 1990 that Namibia officially gained independence.

Namibia shares borders with South Africa to the south, Botswana to the east and Angola and Zambia to the north, whilst the Atlantic coast marks its Eastern boundary.

Up in the northeast corner of the country, the Zambezi Region is a narrow strip of territory that links Namibia to Zambia. This is where buffalo can be spotted.

Considering its size, Namibia’s population is incredibly low, making it one of the most sparsely populated countries in the world. Putting that into perspective, Namibia is just over three times the size of the UK, but is inhabited by only 2.5 million people compared to the UK’s 66 million strong population!

A rise in awareness and dedicated conservation efforts saw its elephant population grow from 7,500 in 1995, to over 22,000 to date. The country also has the largest population of free roaming cheetahs in the world.

Getting there

There are no direct flights from the UK, however there are lots of airlines which now travel to Windhoek that offer convenient night flights. Time-wise, a typical journey can take 15 hours, including a stopover:

  • Air Namibia (020 7644 8842, airnamibia.com) flies daily via Frankfurt from UK airports
  • South African Airlines (20 8576 5500, flysaa.com) flies daily via Johannesburg from London Heathrow
  • Qatar Airways (0333 320 2454, qatarairways.com) flies four times weekly via Doha from London Heathrow
  • Ethiopian Airlines (0800 016 3449, ethiopianairlines.com) flies once a week via Addis Abbaba from London Heathrow
  • KLM (0871 231 0000, klm.com) flies from 17 UK airports three times weekly, via Amsterdam

Currency

The Namibian dollar (N$) is fixed at the same rate as the South African Rand, which is legal tender throughout Namibia. £1 = N$19 (May 2019).

Visas

UK travellers heading to Namibia for 90 days or less do not require a visa but must have a passport valid for at least six months after the date of entry. All children under 18 travelling to Namibia need to have a full birth certificate with them at all times. It is always best to check the gov.uk website before travel for up-to-date information.

Electricity

220 volts; sockets with three round plugs (types D and M) are common, so UK travellers require an all-purpose adaptor.

Time

During summer (the first Sunday in September to the first Sunday in April), Namibia uses Daylight Saving Time which is two hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT). In winter (April to September), Namibia is one hour ahead of GMT.

Language

English is Namibia’s official language but Afrikaans and German are also widely spoken.

Food & Drink

The cuisine is vast and varied in Namibia, meaning that there’s something for everyone – think wild game (oryx, kudu, impala steaks), sea food (including fresh oysters from Walvis Bay) and vegetarian dishes. In terms of a sundowner, there’s the unique Windhoek Lager; with its distinctive, hoppy flavour and crisp taste, this 100% pure premium lager is brewed using malted barley, hops, water and nothing else. A G&T goes down well too, or a fruity cocktail, or even a crisp glass of sparkling wine. Namibia has it all!

Health

Bottled water is essential for travellers to keep hydrated in the warm, dry climate. The malaria risk is ‘low to minimal’ in most parts of the country, or limited to a specific time of the year. However, there is a malaria risk in the northern region during the rainy season (November to March), particularly in the Kunene, Okavango and Kwando river systems. If your clients are travelling to these areas, advise them to speak with their doctor to take precautions at any time of the year.

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