Entering Namibia

US and Canadian citizens do not require a visa to enter Namibia or Botswana. A visa obtainable at the border is required to enter Zambia. Non-US citizens should contact the nearest Namibia Embassy for visas and other entry requirements.

Time Change

Namibia is 7-9 hours ahead of the US and Canada, and it typically takes 2-3 days to adjust to the time change. Flights to Namibia from the US or Canada are generally overnight in both directions. The most economical flights are usually on South African Airways via Johannesburg, best booked directly on their website.

Immunizations

Please contact the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention regarding health issues and immunization requirements when traveling in Namibia. Currently, the CDC recommends malaria preventatives in the north and the Okavango River region. They also recommend vaccination for Hepatitis A and typhoid. See your travel doctor for specific recommendations at least 4-6 weeks prior to departure.

Water

Water in Namibia is generally safe to drink in Windhoek and at many of the lodges. Bottled water is provided during the tour. Bottled water is also available in lodges, as are soft drinks , beer, wind, and spirits.

Insurance

We strongly advise obtaining both trip cancellation insurance and travel health insurance. Health insurance should cover emergency medical evacuation, which can be very expensive. Medical facilities are available in cities and many towns but do not necessarily meet western standards. Travel in Namibia is safe but exposure to some tropical diseases is possible, primarily in the north.

Altitude

The tour is conducted entirely at low altitudes.

Climate

Namibia is located quite far south of the Equator. It is basically an arid or semi-arid country though the northwest does get more rain and has more lush vegetation. It can be very hot during southern summer months. Even in southern winter temperatures usually don't get much below 60F. Rainy season is typically November through March. The amount of rain varies tremendously between years. The north gets much more rain than the arid south. In coastal areas around the Namib desert, it may not rain at all in some years.

Pace & Vehicles

Our Namibia tour relies on a van suitable for up to 4 clients for transport. For larger groups the tour utilizes a minibus. Birding and photography in the national parks is from the vehicles. Leaving vehicles is prohibited in Etosha and Bwabwata National Parks except in a few designated areas. Much of the tour is outside national parks where getting out of vehicles is perfectly acceptable. For the most part transfers are a half day or less, though the transfers from Etosha to Rundu and from Popa Falls to Livingstone are longer. The border crossing into Zambia can be very time-consuming, typically taking at least two hours.

Birds are most active in early morning. To take advantage of this, most days begin at first light around 6:30 am. Typical daily schedules involve birding and sometimes transfers in the morning, a break during the hot part of the day, and birding in late afternoon and sometimes early evening. We do checklists before or after dinner depending on which is most convenient each day.

Accommodations

Accommodations in Namibia are very basic or superior with not much in between. We generally stay in very nice lodges or hotels, though a couple guesthouses are quite comfortable but not superior.

Food

The places we stay cater to international travelers and the food is generally very good. In major tourist centers, standards are very high in both quality and variety of cuisines. Breakfasts and sometimes dinners are typically served buffet-style. Meat and game are usually on the menu. Chicken and/or fish is available everywhere we stay. Lunches are sometimes in western-style restaurants on travel days. Options for vegetarians are available throughout the tour. Bottled water is provided with meals. Soft drinks and alcohol are not included in the tour price.

Registration & Payment

Please refer to the REGISTRATION menu for registration procedure. Trip cancellation insurance is highly recommended as payments may be partially or wholly non-refundable. See the GENERAL -> Policies menu for our refund policy.

Additional Information

Additional information about our policies can be found on the REGISTRATION and GENERAL menus above. Please feel free to call or email us with any questions you may have.

Information last updated February, 2017.

ADDITIONAL INFO
(Not on Menu Above)

• Tour Map
• Accommodations
• Photos from Past Tours
• Travel Information

BIRDING LOCALES

• Caprivi Game Reserve
• Daan Viljoen Game Park
• Etosha National Park
• Katima-Mulilo
• Mahango Game Reserve & Popa Falls
• Rundu Area
• Victoria Falls Area
• Waterberg Plateau
• Windhoek & Avis Dam