TravelComments.com country guide Namibia

Namibia gained its final independence in 1990 after a long struggle for freedom, which started already in the German colonial era between 1884 and 1915. The South African Union occupied so-called German South West Africa during World War I and administered it as a mandate until after World War II, when it annexed the territory. From 1966 on the SWAPO (South West African People's Organisation) fought against the South African regime untill in 1988 the South Africans agreed to the UN Peace Plan.
Namibia is currently one of the fastest growing tourist market of Southern Africa. South Africa's neighbor is a selfdrive holiday paradise - vast landscapes, mountains, the desert (the Namib is acutally the second oldest desert in the world), the desert meeting the Atlantic Ocean, Etosha National Park and so much more!

How to get around in Namibia?

By Car - Getting around Namibia by car is defo the most convenient way of exploring the country. Rental cars (sedan, 4x4 camper etc.) are available at the airport and Windhoek city centre, as well as some other major centres. The roads in Namibia are generally well maintained but away from the main highways surfaces are gravel or dirt, not tarmac. There are roughly 65.000km of road, of which 8.000km are tarred. Although traffic is very light, people and animals sometimes walk in the road; driving after dark can be particularly dangerous. When entering Namibia with a car not registered in Namibia you have to pay so called "Cross Border Charges". The CBC is a compulsory flat fee payable each time a foreign registered vehicle is entering Namibia. Make sure that you are not losing the "proof of payment" as you have to present it if, eg the police, is stopping you.

By Bus - Intercape, one of South Africa's main transportation companies, is connecting the following stops in Namibia (from South to North):
Karasburg (from Springbok, SA) | Grünau (from Upington, SA) | Mariental | Rehoboth | Windhoek | Okahandja | Karibib | Usakos | Swakopmund | Otjiwarongo | Otavi | Tsumeb | Grootfontein | Rundu | Bangani | Kongola | Katima Mulio | Victoria Falls (Zim) | Livingstone (Zam)
Tickets can be obtained on Intercape's website or at their office in Windhoek (currently their only office in Namibia)

By Train - TransNamib StarLine is Namibia's passenger service. The passenger trains (most trains run overnight ) are running on the following routes:
Windhoek -Tsumeb - Windhoek (via Otjiwarongo) | Windhoek - Gobabis - Windhoek | Walvis Bay - Tsumeb - Walvis Bay (via Swakopmund, Otjiwarongo) | Windhoek - Walvis Bay - Windhoek (via Swakopmund) | Windhoek - Upingtion (SA) - Windhoek (via Keetmanshoop)
Tickets can be obtained at any open station in Namibia. First- and second-class carriages are available and light refreshments are offered on some services. On overnight voyages, seats in first-class compartments convert to four couchettes and those in second class to six couchettes.

Accommodation in Namibia

Like neighboring Botswana, Namibia is not targeting on the budget traveller. But over the years a couple of backpackers got established in the country, mainly in Windhoek & Swakopmund. Windhoek is offering the traveller a good and wide selection of B&Bs, lodges and campsites throughout the country.

 

 

Namibia at a glance

 

 

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© Sebastian Hermanns - All Rights Reserved - last modified 2021-01-07 3:42 PM

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