Why go to Namibia? The 10 good reasons to go Namibia

In Namibia, time is time. It seems that there is a clear legacy of the German presence here: we get up early and we go to bed just as early. It's not a bad thing, because it allows to live at the rhythm of the sun. In general, the stores open at 8 am and close at 6 pm, these times correspond to the peak of traffic on the roads of Windhoek. But the crowds in Namibia are relative... you should never be bothered by them! Remember to book your accommodation and your dinners in restaurants, especially on weekends.

In general, it is recommended to book activities on site for the next day. This is the case for game drives (safaris in a car with driver), guided tours, sports equipment rentals (fatbikes, surfboards, kites...).

The Namibian tourism industry has suffered from the Covid-19 pandemic and has therefore greatly relaxed its pricing conditions to facilitate the return of foreigners, so it may be worthwhile to check the websites of accommodations and service providers well in advance or close to the holiday periods: you may find some attractive discount codes there. Don't hesitate to join Facebook groups dedicated to finding good deals. The most famous is "Local Is Lekker" ("local is cool" in Afrikaans).
Since 2021, Namibia has increased the entrance fees to its national parks, which until then were among the lowest in Africa. When it used to cost N$80 per day per person and N$10 per day per vehicle for the following parks: Ai-Ais Game Park, Etosha National Park, Namib-Naukluft Park, Waterberg Plateau Park, Skeleton Coast Park, it is now N$ 150 per adult and N$ 50 per vehicle.

For more information: Namibia Wildlife Resorts (www.nwr.com.na)

It cannot really be said that Namibia is an exceptional destination for cultural events. The country is rather discreet in this respect! However, let's mention the Independence Day that takes place on March 21st in Windhoek with its many parades and sports events, the Crayfish Festival, a lobster festival that takes place in Lüderitz at the end of April-early May, the Oktoberfest (beer and sausage festival, one could not be more German!) that takes place in Windhoek at the end of October, as well as the Windhoek Jazz Festival, which is held in the Independence Stadium at the beginning of November

Guided tours are available on arrival at some lodges and campsites. You will usually be offered walking or driving tours at sunrise or sunset to see rock paintings and wildlife. We particularly recommend an early morning walk in the dunes of the Namib Rand Nature Reserve to discover the desert animals, which almost all live only at night.

The dresscode is relaxed to say the least in Namibia. You can, like the Afrikaners, adopt the beige safari outfit, with multiple pockets, or stay in flip-flops like the Ovambo. Some will even dare to wear German-style sandal socks... In any case, you will not be judged by your appearance, the main thing is that you are comfortable in all temperatures.