Visiting Namibia soon…anyone here been?

Namibia is beautiful and a great place for resetting prespective. The opposite of a First World country - very low population density, especailly once you leave Windhoek, dry high desert weather, lots of wildlife all over.

Some of that wildlife is dangerous, so in game areas carefully scan the bush before getting out of your car.

They drive on the left there, so be prepared. Just remember to always align the driver to the middle of the road and when making a turn, think twice before doing so.

It's now winter there, so bring your long handles.

For photos, you will need some serious zoom lenses.

Seeing Namibia involves a lot of driving, so be prepared for the distances time-wise.

Don't leave anything of value in your hotel room while out.

If you have time, go to Swartkopmund and Walvis Bay. Definitely take a boat tour of Walvis Bay, incredible sealife due to the high oxygen content of the water.

Hard pass on Luderitz.

Visit / stay in private game farms in the north and northeast. Especially the ones that state 'Wir sprechen Deutsch' on their website. Skip the ones closer to Windhoek.

Although it's out of the way, the Fish River Canyon is very impressive. Second largest canyon in the world.

In that same area, the Ai-Ais Hot Springs-Richtersveld Transfrontier Park (ARTFP) is worth a visit.

Read up on the desert life / environment before you go, or hire a tour guide for the desert areas. There's a lot going on that you won't see or know about without prep.

In the south, a raft trip down the Orange River is great. Keep your eyes on the gravel, you never know what may pop up.

Post your photos.

I went last year. Oddly formal place. Not what I was expecting.

Every morning, every shop keeper was out front sweeping the sand away from the sidewalk. No litter anywhere or graffiti.

All the school kids in full uniforms acting well above their ages.

The radio station used the most formal language I've heard in media.

Food was great. We flew into Walvis bay and stayed at n Swakupmond. (Sp?). Always felt safe and all service people were very nice and concerned about your experience. Two hotel staffers went above and beyond helping me arrange an immediate unplanned flight.

We drive 5 hours to Northern Namibai to Ongave resort for safari. It is adjacent to Etosha reservation. Again top notch.


The entire trip only weird experience were gas stations. They stand in in the street and wave you in. 4 people swarm the car and Wash down the dust from your windshield, headlights, mirrors , taillights etc. they swarm the car for a tip. Took me a few days to realize I was grossly over tipping.

Fyi- our Verizon phones did not work when not on WiFi. I would learn how ESims work just in case. Caused a lot of anxiety not having cell homes and driving 60+ miles on a gravel road. There was service but we couldn't use it.

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Was is hard to exchange currency upon arrival?

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There are forex dealers at the airport but they have unpredictable opening hours. If you have a US ATM card, it should work in the ATM's there. That may be your best exchange rate as well. But ATM's will be hard to find outside of Windhoek and Swartkopmund / Walvis Bay. So get enough cash before you leave Windhoek. Just don't leave it in your hotel room when you're out. Crime there is very low but there's no sense in getting careless.

The Windhoek airport is a cluster. So give yourself more time when you leave. Lines are crazy and passport control can get crowded. Joe’s Beerhouse is cool bar and the wild game is delicious.