What to Pack for your safari in Namibia and Botswana
As temperatures can be very high during the summer months, clothing made from cotton 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 on game drives. Dull and/or neutral colors are more suitable for safari, white is not practical. Lodges are quite informal with safari dress code for meals and activities. Most lodges also offer a laundry service at a minimal fee, so rather pack light in order to leave some space for our beautiful curios and maybe a small bottle of Amarula!
Important items to pack:
Comfortable walking shoes, swimsuits, binoculars, sun hats and Sunglasses, sun block, lip balm, mosquito repellent, a warm jacket and battery-operated or conventional razors for visiting remote areas. Spare batteries for cameras and other electronic equipment. Although with most lodges you can recharge at a designated area.
If you are traveling with a fly-in safari, it is important to check what your weight limit is. Generally you will need to restrict your luggage to 10-12kg (preferably packed in a soft bag) plus a reasonable amount of camera equipment.
If your start and end of journey is from Windhoek you can leave some things in storage at your Hotel or guesthouse for a minimal charge.
Airlines & Airports
Air Namibia, the country’s national airline offers non-stop flights between Windhoek and Frankfurt 6 days a week. This arrive early morning and departe in the evening from Windhoek or Frankfurt, ideal to still spend you last day at leisure in the capital.
Air Namibia also recently introduced a 6 day a week connection to Akra, which makes travelling from the USA much more convenient.
Air Namibia regional flights connect to Johannesburg, Cape Town, Luanda, Victoria Falls and Maun Domestic Flights connect most major towns in Namibia like Ondangwa, Walvis Bay and Katima Mulilo
Please visit the Air Namibia website ; http://www.airnamibia.com.na/schedule for more information
Namibia Currency & Payments
The Namibia Dollar (N$) and South African Rand (ZAR) are the only legal tender in Namibia and can be used freely to purchase goods and services. Traveler’s cheques and foreign currency can be exchanged during normal banking hours (Mon – Fri 09:00 - 15:30 & Sat 09:00 – 11:00) at any of the commercial banks, and at Bureau de Change offices at the airport or in town.
Visa and MasterCard credit cards are generally accepted, Diners and American Express cards only at very limited places
Note: No Credit Cards are accepted at petrol filling stations.
Visitors may bring any amount of foreign currency into the country.
Tipping for service
Most restaurants do not add a service fee to bills – thus it is customary to leave a 10-15% tip depending on service. Parking and Petrol station attendants should be given whatever small change you have available(N$1-N$5.00). Porters at hotels and lodges will also appreciate a tip, even though it might seem a small amount, for them it makes a difference.
Tax & Customs
All goods and services are priced to include value added tax of 15%. Visitors my reclaim VAT provided that the value of the items purchased exceeds N$250.00. Provided that receipts are produced.
This can be done at the Hosea Kutako International Airport, Eros- and Walvis Bay Airport, but keep in mind that
You have to be able to produce goods for inspection if required
