Transport
Getting There
By Air
The only direct service between Namibia and Europe is the Air Namibia flight to Frankfurt, which leaves six times per week. In addition, regional services to neighbouring countries provide convenient connections with international flights to and from other southern African capitals.
From Johannesburg, South African Airways (SAA) operates a few return flights per week to several European capitals, with easy onward connections to Windhoek, while Air Berlin and Lufthansa both fly return to Frankfurt.
From the UK, SAA and British Airways fly to South Africa, from where you can pick up a regional flight to Windhoek. It is also possible to fly directly from the US with SAA to South Africa, and then connect to Windhoek.
The cheapest flights between Johannesburg and Windhoek are operated by an excellent online booking agency: see www.kulula.com or tel: 0861 585852 from within South Africa or +27 11 921 0111 from elsewhere.
NB: the reconfirmation of return flights is essential.
For the cost of a few pounds you can make your flight carbon-neutral at either www.climatecare.org or www.carbonneutral.com.
Airports
All international flights land at Hosea Kutako International Airport (www.airports.com.na), which lies about 45km (28 miles) east of Windhoek, and is also the arrival and departure point for most scheduled regional and domestic flights to/from the capital. Eros Airport (5km/3 miles) from the city centre serves domestic and some regional charter routes.
Airline Offices
Air Namibia
Independence Avenue
Tel: 061 299 6333
British Airways/Comair
Tel: 061 248528
Air Berlin
Tel: 061 302220
Lufthansa
Independence Avenue
Sanlam Building, Windhoek
Tel: 061 226662
South African Airways (SAA)
Tel: 062 540 082
TAAG (Angolan airline)
Tel: 061 226625, www.taag.com
By Sea
Passenger liners call very infrequently at Walvis Bay en route between Southampton and Cape Town, Durban and Mauritius.
It is virtually impossible to obtain a passage on any other vessels and there is very little chance of arranging a “working” passage.
By Rail
The only cross-border rail service between Namibia and its neighbours is with South Africa. Scheduled Transnet passenger trains run from Johannesburg and Cape Town to Upington, where travellers transfer to the twice-weekly TransNamib passenger train service to Windhoek’s main train station.
Passenger trains do not have dining saloons. Some trains have a catering/refreshment car for part of the journey only, so check when booking your ticket as you may need to take your own food and drink. Sleeping berths are provided for first- and second-class passengers. First- and second-class coupés accommodate two and three passengers, while first- and second-class compartments sleep four and six passengers respectively. You can provide your own bedding (sleeping bag) or buy bedding tickets when you make the reservation or on the train.
For more details contact TransNamib, tel: 061 298 1111, www.transnamib.com.na.
By Bus/Coach
The main approaches from South Africa are tarred: Johannesburg to Windhoek via Upington and Ariamsvlei (1,971km/1,225 miles), and Cape Town to Windhoek via Springbok and Noordoewer (1,493km/928 miles). It is also possible to take the asphalt Trans-Kalahari Highway from Johannesburg via Botswana to Buitepos on the border, just east of Gobabis, which is much quicker than travelling via Upington.
There is a service between Namibia, Zimbabwe and South Africa on luxury coaches with air conditioning and reclining seats. Intercape-Mainliner operates a Windhoek–Johannesburg service (19 hours) which departs three times a week via Gobabis and Botswana, and four times a week via Keetmanshoop and Upington. Coaches run between Windhoek and Cape Town (16 hours) twice weekly, and there is a once-weekly return to Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe. Intercape also runs three coaches weekly in either direction between Windhoek and Walvis Bay via Swakopmund. Tickets must be pre-paid and reservations can be made at the depot on Independence Ave (opposite Kalahari Sands), Windhoek (tel: 061 227847) or online at www.intercape.co.za. You can also book online through the South African head office (tel: 0860 287287 or 021 3804400).
Getting Around
The best way to explore Namibia is in a rented car or on a small private safari. This is a country characterised by long distances and wide open spaces, and much of its scenic magic is lost if you rush around by air, though it is possible to fly to almost anywhere if you so choose, and it will save time. Public transport amounts to a few coach services and some very slow passenger trains on main routes, so it’s not a realistic way of getting to see the main highlights.
Namibia’s road network is well developed by African standards. All the main towns have direct links on tar roads, and the gravel roads are also in reasonably good condition (you will, however, need a 4x4 vehicle when driving in remote areas such as Kaokoland, Bushmanland and parts of the Kavango region as there are no developed gravel roads at all here).
Take great care in the rainy season, when gravel roads can be slippery. This is also when those riverbeds that are normally dry (the omuramba) come down in flood; they can be dangerous to cross. Also bear in mind that on gravel roads your average driving speed should not exceed 80 kph (50 mph), and estimate driving times accordingly.
All roads in Namibia are numbered and clearly signed en route. Detailed topographical maps (1: 250 000 and 1: 50 000) are very useful when travelling off the beaten track – in Kaokoland, for example. 1: 1000 000 scale maps of regions and districts are also available, as are geological maps of Namibia. Both can be bought at the Office of the Surveyor General in Windhoek, at the corner of Robert Mugabe and Lazarett Street.
By Air
Air Namibia, the country’s national airline, operates regular flights from Windhoek to Walvis Bay, Lüderitz, Oranjemund, Ondangwa and Katima Mulilo. All of these flights return to Windhoek on the same day.
Other destinations in Namibia can be reached by charter flights. Here is a list of some fly-in safari operators:
Atlantic Aviation
Tel: 064 404749
Namib Wilderness Safaris
Tel: +27 11 807 1800
Skeleton Coast Safaris
Tel: 061 224248
Although the domestic rail service operated by TransNamib (tel: 061 298 1111; www.transnamib.com) is primarily goods-oriented, passenger services are available on all routes. Passenger trains run on Tuesday, Friday and Sunday in both directions between Windhoek Station (on the corner of Bahnhof Street and Mandume Ndomufayo Avenue) and Walvis Bay. The journey takes approximately 11 hours.
Passenger trains are scheduled in both directions between Windhoek and Tsumeb on Friday and Sunday (19 hours). Services also operate between Otjiwarongo and Grootfontein; Otjiwarongo and Outjo; and Windhoek and Gobabis. No catering facilities are provided, but first- and second-class passengers can purchase bedding tickets either when making their reservation or on board the train. Also operated by TransNamib, the Desert Express is a very comfortable overnight tourist train that operates once weekly in either direction between Windhoek and Namibia. It departs from Windoek at around midday on Friday, and Swakopmund on Saturday afternoons, and the trip takes around 20 hours in either direction. Details are also available through the TransNamib website.
Regular fixed-departure rail safaris between Cape Town and Windhoek, typically taking 7–14 days in total, are offered by two upmarket South African companies: Shongololo Express (tel: +27 11 486 4357, www.shongololo.com) and Rovos Rail (tel: +27 12 315 8242). An advantage of this sort of trip is that much of your travel is done by night, leaving the days free to explore places of interest, but it is obviously less flexible than a self-drive holiday.
By Bus/Coach
Intercape-Mainliner (tel: 061 227847; www.intercape.co.za) operates a luxury bus service between Windhoek and Walvis Bay three times a week. Stops along the five-hour journey include Okahandja, Karibib, Usakos and Swakopmund. Intercape-Mainliner also operates a shuttle service from Windhoek to the airport. The schedule is available at most hotels.
The Intercape-Mainliner service between Windhoek and Johannesburg operates four times weekly via Keetmanshoop and Upington, and three times per week via Gobabis and Botswana. It also operates a new service from Windhoek to Victoria Falls via Katima Mulilo in the Caprivi Strip.
Ekonolux (tel: 061 258961; www.facebook.com/EkonoluxCc) operates a thrice-weekly luxury bus service between Windhoek and Katima Mulilo. It stops at most towns en route but check the timetable, because some stops are made in the small hours of the morning.
Taxis
Taxis cruising the streets of Windhoek and other larger towns are a familiar sight, but operate mainly between the town centre and suburbs.
Dial-A-Cab, tel: 061 223531
Dial a Driver, tel: 061 259677
Express Radio Taxis, tel: 061 239739
Some of these taxis also do airport transfers. Beware of taxis operating illegally, because they have no passenger liability insurance.
Driving
Foreign drivers’ licences are accepted for stays of up to 90 days, provided that the pertinent information is written in the English language. Visitors from countries whose licences aren’t in English are advised to obtain an International Driving Permit before their departure.
Driving is on the left-hand side of the road and the wearing of seat belts by the driver and front-seat passenger is compulsory. The maximum permissible alcohol level for drivers is 0.16 percent. On major roads the maximum speed limit is 120kph (75mph) and in urban areas 60kph (37mph), unless a lower speed is indicated. The recommended speed limit on gravel roads is between 80 and 100kph (50–62mph), depending on the condition of the road.
Tourist attractions are generally well signposted and most are accessible by sedan car. A word of warning though: although roads in Kaokoland have been classified as district roads, most are impassable to cars and not signposted. The “salt” roads in Swakopmund and northwards along the coast are also particularly treacherous when wet and special caution is advisable.
Travelling at night in the rural areas can be hazardous – keep a sharp eye out for kudu and warthog, which frequently graze in the road between dusk and dawn. Guinea fowl, too, are in the habit of leaping out in front of vehicles. Stray livestock is a menace in the northern parts of the country, while gravel roads passing through farmland are often unfenced, so keep your eyes peeled for roving stock. Watch out also for the wild horses of the Namib west of Aus, especially at night when they seek the warmth of the tarred road.
Petrol and diesel are available along all major tourist routes, as well as in some state-owned rest camps. In Damaraland fuel is only available at Khorixas, Uis, Sesfontein and Palmwag, and in Kaokoland only at Opuwa. Between Rundu and Katima Mulilo the availability of fuel is reliable. There are no filling stations along the three passes linking Windhoek and Swakopmund/Walvis Bay.
Restrictions on Travel
Entry into Diamond Areas 1 and 2 is strictly prohibited and visitors travelling between Aus and Lüderitz are not permitted to leave the road.
Day permits to travel through the Skeleton Coast Park can be obtained from the reservation office in Windhoek and the tourist offices at Swakopmund and Okaukuejo only and are not issued at the gates. Day visitors are not permitted to call at Torra Bay and Terrace Bay and must reach the park gates before 3pm.
Although the Caprivi Game Reserve is a declared conservation area, travellers may not leave the main road. Control points are manned by officials of the Directorate of Veterinary Services at Bagani in the west and at Kongola in the east.
Insurance
Whenever hiring a motor vehicle, insurance and collision damage waiver (CDW) is an absolute necessity. In most cases the CDW covers only 80 percent and the rest must be paid by the driver in the case of an accident. Most accidents happen because people drive too fast or recklessly on Namibia’s slippy gravel roads.
Car Hire (Windhoek)
Advanced 4x4 Car Hire
Tel: 061 246832
African Car Hire
Tel: 061 223246
Avis Car Hire
Aviation Road,
Tel: 061 233166
Budget Car Hire
Windhoek Airport
Tel: 061 540160
Odyssey Car Hire
Tel: 061 223269
Pegasus Car & Camper Hire
Tel: 061 251451
Camping and 4x4 Car Rental (Windhoek)
Asco Car Hire
Tel: 061 377200
Car, 4x4,and camping rental.
Britz 4x4 Rentals
Tel: 062 540 660
South African based 4x4-rental specialist offering cross-border packages and with an office in Windhoek.