General Information
     Population
     Public Holidays
     Languages
     Currency

Travel Tips and Information
     Directorate of Tourism
     Currencies and Payment
     Health and Vaccination
     Voltage
     Tipping
     Time

Details of the population

The Namibian population is estimated at 1.8 million. The indigenous population consists of ten ethnic groups of which the San - called 'Bushmen' by the Europeans - are regarded as the country's original inhabitants.

Public Holidays in Namibia

01 January (New Year's Day)
21 March (Independence Day)
01 May (Worker's Day)
04 May (Cassinga Day)
25 May (Africa Day)
26 August (Hero's Day)
10 December (Human Rights Day)
25 December (Christmas Day)
26 December (Family Day)

Languages

English and Afrikaans are the lingua francas, while German is also widely spoken throughout most parts of the country.

Currency

Since 1993, the Namibia Dollar (N$) has been the official currency; it is linked to the South African Rand.

Travel Tips and Information

Directorate of Tourism Office

Bookings for Government-managed holiday camps and resorts can be made at the following address:

Windhoek
Independence Avenue
Tel: +264 61 236 975
Fax: +264 61 224 900

Recommended currencies and/or methods of payment

Namibian Dollars (N$) = South African Rand (ZAR)
US Dollars and Travellers Cheques
Deutschmark and Travellers Cheques
Direct Bank Transfers
International Credit Cards

Health and Vaccination Regulations

Vaccination against yellow fever for travellers older than 12 months, who enter the country's possibly infected areas. Malaria prophylaxis including E+P is urgently recommended for travellers to rural areas in northern Namibia during the rainy season from November to May/June. Please consult your medical practitioner prior to your departure.

Voltage Applicable

In Namibia, 220V plugs are most common. Three-pole plugs are fitted, the neccessary adapter plugs for which can be obtained locally.

Tipping

Please bear in mind that service staff members are usually dependent on tips. A 10% surcharge is the norm.

Time

Summertime is from the first Sunday in September to the first Sunday in April and is two hours ahead of Greenwhich Mean Time. Wintertime is from the first Sunday in April to the first Sunday in September and is one hour ahead on GMT.