8 Important tips and recommendations to visit Nambia

Keep in mind our tips and recommendations to visit Namibia and you will be able to enjoy this extremely vast, wild and beautiful country to the fullest. Before discovering a new destination and booking a Namibia tour package, it is essential to have accurate and updated information on all the important and practical aspects of the Namibia holidays trip. In this article all the travel advice and recommendations you should know before visiting Namibia for the first time.

• VISIT NAMIBIA - TRAVEL TIPS

Saying Tourism in Namibia is not just talking about the Namib Desert, the Etosha National Park and the Bushmen are much more. And with these tips and recommendations, we try to solve all your doubts before a trip to a destination as unique as Namibia.

• VISA AND DOCUMENTATION

Citizens of the European Union do not need a visa to enter Namibia to visit holidays, it is sufficient to present a passport with a minimum validity of six months after the expected departure date of the last country you visit and have at hand airline tickets or other document certifying the departure of the country. Reconfirm that the passport has enough pages for visas.

We recommend you make a copy of your passport and save it in a separate place, or scan it and save it on your Smartphone or an easily accessible email account.

Take several passport-sized photos with you for any unexpected administrative management.

Never invoices on flights personal or necessary documentation for your trip. All this should always go with your personal effects in the cabin.

• MONEY, CREDIT CARDS, AND CURRENCY CHANGE.

The local currency is the Namibian Dollar (NAD) whose value is matched to that of the rand. Namibian tickets have values of 10, 20, 50, 100 and 200, and coins of 5, 10, 20 and 50 cents and 1 and 5 NAD.

Euros and US dollars can be changed.

It is convenient to save the exchange receipts to obtain the exchanged currencies if not all Namibian dollars are spent. All credit cards are generally accepted.

ATMs are found in most urban centers.

Remember to clarify with your bank what amount you can withdraw in cash at the destination, and what the commission they apply.

It is advisable to arrange local currency throughout the trip and in small coins or bills for small purchases and personal expenses.

• WEATHER

The country is located in the southern hemisphere (winter and summer in reverse months to the summer of the northern hemisphere) and has two seasons, dry and rainy. The rainy season begins at the end of November, extends for three or four months and is especially wet on the north coast.

• TIPS, PURCHASES, AND COMMERCIAL BARGAINING.

They are only expected in restaurants in tourist establishments and luxury restaurants if the service requires it. Employees of national parks and nature reserves are not allowed to receive them.

Bargaining is only admissible when negotiating a piece of crafts or art directly with the artist or craftsman.

You can't get out of the country illegally; you can only buy them in legal establishments open to the public. Penalties can reach five years in prison and heavy fines. The prices of diamonds in Namibia, despite being an important producer, are not attractive as they are matched to those of the international market.

It is prohibited not only traffic but also the possession and consumption of drugs. The penalties are severe and can reach 20 years in prison and high fines.

• SAFETY, CONDUCT, AND LABEL

Avoid taking pictures of military installations, uniformed police, and government buildings.

Always request permission to photograph members of ethnic groups and children in any circumstance.

In the national parks and nature reserves always scrupulously observe the following behaviors:

1. Respect the privacy of the wildlife, as you occupy their habitat.
2. Always be alert during the safari, even if you don't think you are in the presence of animals: these are wild animals and therefore unpredictable in their behavior.
3. Do not feed wildlife: it modifies their diet and makes them dependent.
4. Always stay inside the vehicle, except when the guide designates a place for a picnic or to walk safely.
5. Keep the greatest silence during the observation day. In your interest and that of the travelers who accompany you in your vehicle or the vicinity.
6. Do not pour or leave trash, food scraps or any other object. Extreme caution regarding fire regulations.
7. Do not collect, capture or buy any living or dead organism or parts of it. It is illegal and heavily sanctioned.

• ELECTRICITY

220 volts AC, 50hz. Three-pin round plugs, type D and M.

• NATURE PHOTOGRAPHY.

The basic piece to photograph wildlife on a safari is a long-range lens of at least 300 mm. 400 mm and more would be even better, but from 400 mm the price goes up exponentially.

You will not have time to change lenses in full action, so wear your long-range lens, with the cover on to protect it from dust (you take it off just before taking pictures).

Take reserve batteries for your camera and make sure beforehand that they are charged.

A tripod helps a lot when it comes to stabilizing the lens, especially in action images, but on the other hand, it is often not advisable to leave the vehicle for safety reasons. A tripod that can be mounted on the window of the vehicle would be very useful.

Teacher-turned online blogger, Shirley is a full-time backyard homesteader based in Virginia. When she doesn't have her face buried in a book or striding in her garden, she's busy blogging about simple life hacks of the daily life.