Wildlife & Dunes of Namibia

We travel to Namibia in their winter months, the dry season. Namibia generally experiences over 300 days of sunshine per year, so it's generally warm, dry and pleasant. It can get cold at night, and at the coast towards August, September you might experience some coastal fog. 

If you prefer to book the holiday without flights and make your own travel arrangements you will still be able to make use of the return group transfers between the airport and hotel, which are included in the cost of your holiday. You must contact us on +44 (0)20 3974 8865 or email reservations@hfholidays.co.uk at least 8 weeks before your holiday start date to provide your flight details if you wish to join the transfers. If you do not contact us, we will assume you are making independent travel arrangements.

If you are arriving ahead of the group, and are meeting them at the first hotel, please leave a message at the hotel reception for the HF Holidays’ leader or local leader, detailing your room number, and a mobile telephone number if possible. The leader will contact you once the group arrives. If you are arriving after the group, a message will be left for you at the hotel reception, welcoming you and giving details of the time and place to meet the group.

Namibia is a typical desert with warm to hot sunny days year round and chilly early mornings and evenings. Lightweight clothing and layers are advisable to accommodate the differing temperatures. Our tour runs in the dry season when evenings are not the coldest though temperatures can go down to single figures.

Essentials  

• Walking shoes that have ankle support and good grip (heavy boots are not necessary) 
• Insulated jacket/top for evening when temperatures drop in the desert
• Lightweight clothing for the heat
• Walking clothing  
• Walking socks (plus spares)  
• Sunhat 
• High-factor sunscreen (minimum SPF 30)  
• Sunglasses
• Insect repellent
• Torch (handy for hotel grounds and in the room) 
• Water bottle (water is provided throughout the tour)  
• Rucksack/day pack
• Personal first aid kit (containing your medication, blister plasters, etc.) 
• Passport 
• Visa (if applicable) 
• Copy of your travel insurance policy 

Recommended

• Collapsible walking poles (if you prefer using them) 
• Swimwear and travel towel (loges have pools)
• Camera/mobile phone

Optional

• Mat (something small to sit on for picnics or rest stops when walking)

Please inform us of any medical situation which may affect your enjoyment of the holiday. This is important because our leaders must consider both group and individual safety at all times.

Whilst out with the group, we respectfully request that you:

• Please listen to any safety instructions and other directions from the leader
• Keep group members in view, especially if weather or visibility is poor
• Please stay where you are if you become separated from the group. The leader will retrace their steps to find you.

Each leader carries a first aid kit but is not allowed to supply any medication including aspirin, paracetamol, antihistamines and antiseptic cream. You may wish to bring these items with you in your own kit (see Suggested Kit List).

In the unlikely event that your leader is incapacitated, please use any emergency kit in their rucksack and call emergency services.. Please then call our emergency number (sent in your final dispatch) and let us know there is a problem.

Please contact us as far in advance as possible if you have any specific dietary requirements and we will do our best to meet your needs.

If you require a specific meal on the flight, please let us know as soon as possible, and no later than 96 hours before travel.

Travellers should be up to date with routine vaccination courses and boosters as recommended in the UK. These vaccinations include for example measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine and diphtheria-tetanus-polio vaccine.

Before booking, you should check with your doctor to see if any health precautions are needed. The following websites provide a wealth of information on travelling and health: www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk or www.traveldoctor.co.uk.

Please also check regarding anti-malarial tablets as Namibia is a malaria active zone.

It is recommended for most travellers to have:

• Hepatitis A
• Tetanus
• Typhoid.

Some travellers may require or should consider:

• Cholera
• Hepatitis B
• Rabies
• Tuberculosis.

Passports

Your passport should be valid for a minimum of 6 months from the date of entry into Namibia and have at least 1 completely blank page for Namibian immigration to use.

You should carry identification with you at all times; unless you need to have your passport with you for immigration purposes or passing through security checkpoints, leave it in your hotel safe and carry a photocopy for ID.

Visas 

From 1 April 2025 a new visa scheme will come into effect for UK nationals visiting Namibia. The new visas will be available to purchase on arrival at Namibian entry points or can be applied for via a new online portal before travel to Namibia. Please visit the website www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/namibia for further information. If you have a different nationality passport please check with the Namibian Government for your entry requirements.

Travel insurance is a condition of booking. Therefore, if you have not already arranged insurance, it is imperative that you do so before you travel.

For more information about healthcare and its costs, please visit: https://www.nhs.uk/using-the-nhs/healthcare-abroad/

On your trip we advise you to dress modestly and respectfully. Both men and women should aim to cover their shoulders and knees, especially if visiting religious sites or rural areas. Opt for loose-fitting and conservative clothing to show respect for local customs and traditions.

Luggage allowance

Baggage allowance 1 piece checked-in luggage (max 23kg). Please check details of your airline’s baggage allowance, as shown on your e-ticket. Remember to also check any connecting flights you may have booked.

Lost/damaged luggage

If your bag or its contents are damaged or lost while in the airline’s care, this should be reported to the baggage service agents at the airport on arrival. They will assess the damage; in some cases, the airline may decide to settle your claim immediately. You will be given a reference to quote to your insurance company if an immediate settlement is not possible - in many cases, baggage claims can only be accepted in writing. A baggage claim form must be obtained from the airport.

Namibia uses the Namibian Dollar (NAD, N$) which is linked on a one to one exchange with the South African Rand (ZAR). Rand is legal tender in Namibia, but the N$ cannot be used in South Africa. If you wish to purchase currency before arriving in Namibia, it is easiest to buy Rand as the Namibian Dollar is seldom available in banks outside of Namibia.

Banks are found in most towns and are generally open from 9am to 3.30pm on weekdays and 8.30 to 11am on Saturdays; they are closed on Sundays and public holidays. Most of them offer foreign exchange services - with cash, bank and credit cards as well as traveller’s cheques. You can also obtain cash from many ATMs. Several international banks have branches in main city centres.

Always advise your bank that you are travelling outside of the country as they might block your purchases if they have not been informed.

GMT/UTC +2 hours

Please take note that the National council has recently (Sep 17) passed the Namibian Time Bill which means that in future Namibia will not have a summer & winter time.

220/240v, 3 point round pin adaptor is required.

Banks are found in most towns, and are generally open from 09h00 to 15h30 on weekdays and 08h30 to 11h00 on Saturdays. Closed on Sundays and public holidays. Most of them offer foreign exchange services - with cash, bank and credit cards as well as travellers cheques. You can also obtain cash from many of the ATMs. Several international banks have branches in main city centres. Always advise your bank that you are travelling outside of the country as they might block your purchases if they have not been informed.

Suggested reading

• Lonely Planet, Botswana & Namibia (2013)
• Timothy Eyre, Sun, Sea, Sand and Fog: Two weeks in Namibia, (2014)
• Henno Martin, The Sheltering Desert (2002)

Maps

Although you won’t need them, if you’d like any maps of the destination, you can obtain some in advance from The Map Shop: www.themapshop.co.uk 

Tipping in Namibia

Tipping is part of the culture in Namibia and it is a much appreciated acknowledgement of quality service and efforts made. To make things easy for you all tips are included in the cost of your holiday except for lunches. Tipping is then at your discretion however, 10% of your bill for good service is typical. The tips that are covered are:

• Porters at the hotel/lodges if used
• The Guide for the full duration of the tour.
• 14 x Dinners, this will be for all Dinners in the itinerary.
• Guide conducting Sundowner Drive at Namib Desert Lodge
• Guide conducting Walk at/from Dune Star
• Guide conducting the Sunset Drive at Rostock
• Guide/Skipper conducting the boat cruise at Catamaran
• Guide at Rock Engravings as well as Damara Living Museum
• Guide conducting morning hike at Palmwag and Guide conducting the scenic drive at Palmwag
• Himba Village
• Guides conducting the Bush Walk and the Village Visit to the San
• Guide conducting hike at Ai-Aiba
• Guide conducting the CCF activity
• Guide conducting afternoon walk at Otjiwa