Namibia

GEOGRAPHY
Situated along the Atlantic seaboard in the South-west of the African subcontinent, Namibia shares borders with Angola and Zambia in the north, Botswana is the east, Zimbabwe at the eastern extremity of the curiously shaped pan handle known as Caprivi, and South Africa in the South and south-east.

HISTORY
Namibia was proclaimed a German protectorate by Bismark in 1884. The conquest of German South West Africa by South African forces during World War I resulted in its subsequent administration by South Africa under a 1920 League of Nations mandate. A protracted war between the occupying South African forces and the Swapo (South West African People's Organisation) liberation movement started in 1966. In 1989 the implementation of the United Nations Resolution 435 free and fair elections resulted in Swapo coming to power. On March 21, 1990 after 106 years of foreign rule, Namibia achieved Independence, instating Dr Sam Nujoma as its first president.

ECONOMY
The pillars of Namibia's economy are mining, agriculture and fishing. Tourism is currently the fastest expanding industry, while the manufacturing sector is being developed. Mining makes up 49,2 % of foreign earnings with diamonds as the major export mineral, others are copper, gold, zinc, lead and silver.

CLIMATE
Summer from November to April, with hot and sunny days. Daytime temperatures can rise to 35C, but drop at night to around 14-18C. The coastal region is cool and dry through the year. Rainy season last from February to March and rainfall varies from 50mm to 700mm depending on the region. Winter from May to October and days are generally dry, sunny and mild to warm. Temperatures reach about 23C and drop at night to between 0 - 10C. It can be quite cold and windy at the coast, for which warm clothing and a windbreaker are necessary.

PLACES TO VISIT

NAMIB- NAUKLUFT PARK
This is the largest conservation area in Namibia, incorporating most of Namib Desert after which Namibia takes its name. This is a land of endless horizons, a place of silence and of solitude. A climb to the top of one of the gigantic sand dunes surrounding Sossusvlei to watch the sunset cast its shadow over the ancient dunes is so haunting, it will be etched in your mind forever. Near Sossusvlei, the Sesriem Canyon has been gouged out of rock over the centuries by the Tsauchab River and is now mostly small pools of water on a gravel bed, attracting may birds and animals. To the south of the park near Luderitz, one can explore the deserted houses in the ghost town of Kolmanskop and to the west at Swakopmund, one can marvel at the fantastic rock formations of the 'Moonlandscape' and visit Sandwich Harbour.

SKELETON COAST
The southern section of the Skeleton Coast Park, which is accessible to the general public, lies between the Ugab and Hoanib rivers and lures anglers from far and wide to its superb fishing grounds. This is however, closely monitored by the Ministry of Environment and Tourism. Access to the protected northern area of this park, where the coastline is dotted with forgotten shipwrecks, is restricted to fly-in safaris.

ETOSHA NATIONAL PARK
This is one of the greatest and most special game parks in Africa, if not the world, because of the great variety of game and unique vegetation to be found here. It covers 22,270 sq. Km of country ranging from dense bush to open plains and in the heart of the park is the vast Etosha Pan, the place of dry water, which is parched and shimmering silver-white for most of the year, only filling with water about a metre deep in very rainy periods - whereupon enormous numbers of water fowl flock to breed. Game in Etosha includes several rare and endangered species such as black rhino and black-faced impala.

DAMARALAND
The northern areas of Damaraland feature some of Namibia's least explored and rugged remote areas. Here, in one of the few remaining untouched wilderness areas of Africa, it is easy to see why the San people call Namibia 'the land that God made in anger'. The emphasis is on the spectacular scenery, dominated by massive flat-topped mountains and crystal blue skies; the uniquely adapted smaller desert creatures and plants; the peace and tranquillity of being in such a remote area; and if you are extremely lucky, catching sight of the desert-dwelling elephant and black rhino that roam the area. Southern Damaraland offers such unique curiosities as the mystery of the Petrified Forest; the incredible collection of bushman rock engravings at Twyfelfontein; the massive Vingerklip, Rock Finger; the Burnt Mountain of volcanic rock and the nearby formation of perpendicular basalt called the Organ Pipes.

CAPRIVI STRIP
The Caprivi strip is an exciting destination for the adventurous traveller. With rivers, forests, swamps and waterways, it is a total contrast to the arid grandeur of the rest of Namibia. With its abundant birdlife, the area is gaining a reputation as a retreat for birdwatchers and it is also known for gameviewing either in open 4x4 vehicles, by river craft or on foot. Among the better known reserves in the Caprivi are the Mahango Game Reserve, the Mudumu National park and the Mamili National Park.

WINDHOEK
The Central Region is dominated by Namibia's capital, Windhoek, a small bustling city with an estimated population of 170 000. Situated in an airy basin in the central highlands, Windhoek is surrounded by the Auas Mountains to the south east, the Eros Mountains to the north east and the Khomas Hochland to the west. There are a number of recreation resorts and guest farms close enough to Windhoek for day and weekend excursions.

FISH RIVER CANYON
Another highlight in the southern region is the Fish River Canyon, one of Namibia's most spectacular geological phenomena and, on the African continent, second in size only to the Blue Nile Gorge in Ethiopia. It lies in the lower reaches of Namibia's longest river, the Fish, and took millions of years to evolve to its present shape, a massive 161km long and 27km wide, with a varying depth of 550m.

SWAKOPMUND
Swakopmund is much loved by Namibians as a welcome respite from the heat of the interior. It is also popular amongst visitors because of its old-world charm and relaxed atmosphere. Today this quaint desert town, hedged by desert and sea, is enhanced by lush green lawns, palm trees and carefully tended public gardens. It has a wide choice of hotels, pensions and restaurants, and several coffee shops selling traditional German cakes and pastries. The coast with its desert hinterland offers many options, both for adventure and for relaxation.

BEST TIME TO GO
Namibia is an all year round destination but special interest groups should take note of the following:

Best birding safaris are during the summer months because of the greater variety of species to be found.
Best botanical months are Dec - May when the vegetation turns green, and also when most plants are in flower.
Peak seasons are July - October and middle season May - June. It is advisable to book your accommodation well in advance as availability will be at a premium.

BORDER POSTS
(These can change, please check)

All border posts open daily

BOTSWANA / NAMIBIA
Buitepos (Maun / Windhoek) 08h00 - 16h00
Mohembo (Maun / Caprivi) 06h00 - 18h00
Ngoma (Chobe / Caprivi) 06h00 - 18h00

SOUTH AFRICA / NAMIBIA
Noordoewer (ex Cape Town) 24 hours
Narochas / Nakop (ex Johannesburg) 24 hours

BANKS

WINDHOEK, SWAKOPMUND, RUNDU
Mon - Fri 09h00 - 15h30
Sat 08h30 - 11h00

KEETMANSHOOP, TSUMEB
Mon - Fri 09h30 - 12h30; 14h00 - 15h30
Sat 08h30 - 10h30

KATIMA MULILO
Mon - Fri 09h00 - 12h45; 14h00 - 14h30

WHAT TO PACK
With a few exceptions, dress in Africa is casual. Clothing should be lightweight, loose-fitting and of breathable fabrics such as cotton. While out in the bush you will find those neutral colours are best as they blend with natural surroundings. The dress code in some finer hotels and restaurants is semi-formal and men are required to wear jacket and tie to dinner on the Blue Train and Rovos Rail. Laundry services in available at most camps, lodges and hotels. Evenings in the winter can be cooler so some warm clothes would be advisable. It is also useful to bring warm clothes if you are going on safari as it gets quite cool on evening game drives. Other things to bring are comfortable walking shoes, swimming costume, hat, sunblock, anti-malaria prophylactics, insect repellent, binoculars, camera and sunglasses. Luggage should be soft-sided type as it is easier to stow on small aircraft as well as safari vehicles. Rather bring 1 or 2 small bags than 1 large one and try to keep luggage to a minimum.

PASSPORTS & VISAS
International visitors require a valid passport together with onward travel documents.

All passport holders should verify with their relevant consulate concerning visa entry requirements. If you are extending your journey to other countries, please establish entry requirements for those countries as well.

Please ensure that you have all the necessary visas prior to departure (unless available on entry) AS NONE OF WYDAH TOURS, THEIR STAFF, THEIR AGENTS NOR THEIR OPERATORS CAN BE HELD LIABLE FOR ANY ERRORS.

HEALTH REQUIREMENTS
Medical facilities in the major cities are of international standard, although the remote areas are less well provided. There are relatively limited risks of malaria and bilharizia in the northern game areas, which means that the visitors should exercise common sense precautions regarding untreated water and possible exposure to mosquitoes. If you are visiting the area north of Windhoek, you must obtain malaria prophylactics before entering Namibia. It is best to consult your pharmacist or doctor in this regard. Try and wear long sleeve clothing and trousers when outside at night. Apply plenty of insect repellent.
You can also look at the following website for more information. www.travelclinics.co.za

TIPPING / GRATUITIES
Tipping is not compulsory. If, however, you want to tip because you have received good service, we have enclosed a brief guideline to assist you:

a) Camp, Game Lodge and Specialist Guides
If the guide has done a good job, we recommend US$5 per guest per day for travel to Botswana, Zambia and Zimbabwe and R50 per guest per day for visitors to Namibia and South Africa.

b) The General Safari Camp / Lodge Staff
Here we recommend about US$3 per guest per day for safari camps in Botswana, Zambia and Zimbabwe and R30 per guest per day for safari camps in Namibia and South Africa. This should be placed in the communal tipping box to be distributed equally amongst all the staff at a later stage

c) Hotel Staff
Please allow between R5 and R10 per guest per day for hotel staff ie housekeeping etc

d) Porterage
Here we recommend about US$1 per person per movement.

e) Transfer and Touring Driver/guides
Transfer R10 per person
Half day tour R25 per person
Full day tour R50 per person

f) Blue Train and Rovos Rail
Cabin attendant R100 per person per journey
Waiter, Dining Car R75 per person per journey

g) Restaurants / Hotels
10% is customary on meal accounts but only if you are satisfied with the service.

CURRENCY
The currency in Namibia is the Namibia Dollar which is fixed to and equals the South African Rand. Both can be used freely to purchase goods and services.

LANGUAGES
Languages include Ovambe, Damara, Kavango, Herero, although the official language is English with German and Afrikaans being widely spoken.

ELECTRICITY
250 Volts Ac. Lodges in the more remote areas to not have electricity and rely on generator power. You will not find plug sockets in your room/tent at these lodges.

PHOTOGRAPHY
The choice of the correct camera equipment and film will determine the quality of your photographs on the trip. For good photography of birds and animals, a good SLR camera and telephoto lens is necessary. A zoom lens can be extremely useful on safari and the minimum recommended size is 200mm. Consideration should be given before travelling with any lens bigger than 400 mm as most interesting shots are taken using hand held equipment. The new high-resolution digital cameras are outstanding and give great quality images, especially if you are using a digital camera body which takes normal camera lenses. Camera bodies like the Canon D60 and 1D are superb. The advantage of digital photography is that one can get instant feedback and adjustments can be made in the field to your techniques to ensure that your photographs are the quality that you would like.

Colour reversal film (slides) will give far better quality than prints. The guides have found that they are getting the best results using Fuji film. Fuji has brought out a good high-speed film that gives good colour with very little grain (less so than any of their competitors). This is especially useful when using a big lens in low light situations. The guides' personal preference is the slower film (either 50 or 100 ASA) as this gives almost perfect quality for normal light. However, you may consider going to 200 ASA for a larger lens in low lighting conditions. The new Fuji 400, we believe is giving great results too. The only disadvantage with the low ASA film is that you need a tripod for the early morning and evening shots.

IMPORTANT: BRING SPARE FILM (ALTHOUGH IT IS AVAILABLE IN MOST CAMPS/LODGES) AND A SPARE CAMERA BATTERY.