What you should know

NAMIBIA

Of course, it's best to book directly with us!
Ideally, you should start planning at least 3 months before departure, especially if you want to travel during the high season (April-October).
Of course, we can also arrange shorter lead times for you and your fellow travellers – just ask us directly!

On this page, you will find some important information regarding your travel planning.
Those who book through us receive a wealth of additional information, such as a packing list, road map, mobile phone map and much more.

How do I book my trip to Namibia?

Visa requirements for Namibia

Since 1 April 2025, travellers from Europe and many other countries require a visa.

Visa options and procedure:

  • Visa on arrival:
    This visa can be applied for directly at the official entry points in Namibia, for example at Hosea Kutako Airport in Windhoek. However, this means you will have to queue longer than if you apply for it online in advance.

  • Online visa: Travellers can apply for a visa online at the following link: https://eservices.mhaiss.gov.na. Here you apply for the ‘Visa on Arrival’, not the ‘Holiday Visa’. Visas are valid for up to three months from the date of issue and are valid for stays of up to three months (90 days) from the date of entry.

  • Visa at the embassy: If you wish, you can also apply for your visa at the Namibian Embassy in Berlin. However, we have no experience with this.

  • Extension: An extension may be possible under certain circumstances, for example at the Ministry of the Interior in Windhoek.

  • Our tip: If you don't know how long you want to stay, apply for the maximum visa directly, even if you leave earlier or travel on. However, officials often want to see a return ticket upon entry. If you don't have one yet, simply claim that you are travelling on to South Africa by overland bus and have not yet purchased the ticket.

  • Visa costs: The cost of the visa is around 82 euros.

  • Travelling with children under 18: Always carry a complete birth certificate with you! To combat human trafficking, Namibia introduced new immigration rules in 2016 that affect travel with children under 18 years of age. Parents are now required to carry the original or certified copy of the full birth certificate with them at all times. The full birth certificate should contain the child's details and the details of both parents.

  • Passport: Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months. There must be at least 3 blank pages in your passport.

Flights

Most visitors arrive in Namibia via Hosea Kutako International Airport, 45 km east of Windhoek. Our office is located halfway between the airport and Windhoek, so we are happy to pick you up from the airport!

There are various flight connections to Namibia, including direct flights from Frankfurt and Munich (with Discover Airlines) and connecting flights from various German airports (e.g. Düsseldorf, Stuttgart, Hamburg, Leipzig/Halle) with airlines such as Condor, Ethiopian Airlines, SWISS and Lufthansa.

Direct flights:

  • Frankfurt and Munich to Windhoek:

  • Direct flights from Frankfurt and Munich to Windhoek are only available with Discover Airlines, a subsidiary of Lufthansa.

Flights with transfers:

  • From various German airports: Flights from Düsseldorf, Stuttgart, Hamburg, Leipzig/Halle and other airports to Namibia are available with transfers, e.g. with Condor, Ethiopian Airlines, SWISS or Lufthansa.

  • From Austria and Switzerland: Flights from Austria and Switzerland are also possible, but always with transfers.

Airlines:

  • Discover Airlines (Lufthansa subsidiary): The only airline offering direct flights to Windhoek from Frankfurt and Munich.

  • Condor: Condor flies to Walvis Bay from various German airports.

  • Ethiopian Airlines: Ethiopian Airlines flies to Windhoek with a stopover in Addis Ababa.

  • SWISS: SWISS flies to Windhoek with a transfer.

  • Lufthansa: Lufthansa flies to Windhoek with a transfer.

  • Other airlines: Austrian Airlines, Kenya Airways, South African Airways and Qatar Airways also fly to Windhoek.

Namibia is beautiful all year round, but the different seasons have their advantages and disadvantages.

Don't forget that Namibia is located below the equator, so the seasons are reversed - compared to Europe.

The best time to visit Namibia, especially in terms of climate, is the dry season from May to October. During this period, temperatures are pleasant and the air is clear. It is ideal for safaris and wildlife viewing, as the animals gather at the waterholes. The rainy season, from November to April, brings green landscapes, but can also be accompanied by heavy rain showers and difficult road conditions. However, the rainy season in Namibia does not mean that it rains continuously everywhere. Sometimes it does not rain in some regions for years. The weather in Namibia is completely unpredictable.

The dry season (May to October):

Advantages:

  • Pleasant temperatures (average 20-25°C during the day).

  • Clear skies and ideal conditions for safaris and wildlife viewing.

  • Animals gather at waterholes, which makes them easier to see.

  • Ideal for photography and stargazing due to clear skies.

  • Lower risk of malaria infection.

Disadvantages:

  • Nights can be very cold in the desert regions.

  • It is much windier in winter.

For horse riders:

  • In winter, you can sleep a little longer and start your rides later.

  • However, the horses may be a little thinner, depending on how long ago the last rainy season was.

The rainy season (November to April):

Advantages:

  • Green landscapes and flowering plants.

  • Ideal conditions for bird watching.

  • Pool weather

Disadvantages:

  • Possible heavy rain showers and local thunderstorms.

  • Possibly difficult road conditions in some regions.

  • Higher risk of malaria infection in northern regions.

  • It can get very hot when observing animals from a car.

  • Many more insects, spiders, mosquitoes, etc.

For horse riders:

  • In summer, it is necessary to get up early to avoid the midday heat.

  • In some regions, rides may have to be postponed due to heavy rainfall.

  • However, during the rainy season, the horses are plump and happy and have comparatively more energy.

  • The rainy season can also sometimes bring horse diseases, which is why rides may have to be cancelled or places rebooked.

Conclusion:

As Namibians, we love the rainy season because our animals are fat and happy. For round trips and horse riders, however, the dry season is still the most popular time to travel, as it offers the best weather for most activities, especially safaris and wildlife viewing. But the rainy season also has its charms, especially for birdwatchers and insect lovers.

Weather and travel season for Namibia

Vaccinations for Namibia

No vaccinations are required for direct entry into Namibia from Germany. Proof of a valid yellow fever vaccination is required if you are entering from a country where you could theoretically have been infected with yellow fever, or if you have spent more than twelve hours in transit in such a region.

Take the opportunity of your trip to have your other vaccinations checked by a doctor. Every traveller should have the standard vaccinations recommended for the United Kingdom, in particular a current vaccination against tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis (whooping cough), measles and a basic immunisation against poliomyelitis (polio). People over the age of 60 are advised to be vaccinated against pneumococci (pneumonia). Anyone going hunting in Namibia should consider a rabies vaccination. A tetanus vaccination is always recommended for horse riders.

Source: ADAC

Insurance and Health

It is highly recommended that you take out international travel health insurance with repatriation cover. Travel operators and other organisations offer such insurance, for example credit card companies or automobile clubs. When taking out insurance, make sure that the costs of emergency flights within Namibia are covered and preferably paid directly. Depending on the distance, the costs for air rescue can quickly amount to several thousand Namibian dollars, which you may have to pay immediately by credit card.

Medical care

Medical care in the cities is excellent, especially in the capital Windhoek. There are several private clinics that meet international standards. In our personal experience, these are even better and more modern than many German hospitals. The doctors also take much more time for you. However, you MUST have insurance. If you are not insured, you will be treated free of charge at the state hospital, and you don't want that! If you take out travel health insurance, e.g. through your credit card company or similar, you must be prepared to pay hospital bills directly on site, on the same day. In this case, simply ask for the bills and claim them back from your insurance company at the end of your trip. This is no problem at all.

In addition, most remote towns have a small hospital or first aid station. As Namibia is sparsely populated and the distances between towns and villages are long, it can take almost a day to reach a doctor or hospital in some places.

Most health insurance companies pay for emergency air transport! If you really can't go on, don't hesitate to make use of this service. Just have your insurance documents and, if necessary, your credit card ready. Everything you pay in advance will be reimbursed by the insurance company.

Of course, we wish you a safe holiday!!!