Passport/Visa Requirements: A valid passport is mandatory, and it shouldn't expire within six months of arrival. Visas are no longer required by European, U.S., Canadian and South African passport holders. A visa may be required by other nationals, but can usually be bought upon arrival. Some officials may ask for proof of onward passage. Visitors must register within 24 hours if entry point is not staffed by immigration officials.
Reconfirm travel document requirements with carrier before departure.
Population: 2,055,080.
Languages: English (official), Afrikaans, German, Herero, Owambo..
Predominant Religions: Animist, Christian (Lutheran)..
Time Zone: 1 hour ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (+1 GMT). Daylight Saving Time is observed from the first Sunday in September to the first Sunday in April.
Voltage Requirements: 220 volts.
Telephone Codes: 264, country code; 61,Windhoek city code; 641,Swakopmund city code;
For More Information
Tourist OfficesNamibia: Namibia Tourism Board, Independence Avenue, Sanlam Centre, Ground Floor, Windhoek. Phone 061-290-6000. http://www.namibiatourism.com.na.
U.K.: Namibia Tourism Board, 6 Chandos St., London W1G 9LU. Phone 20-7636-2924. Fax 20-7636-2969.
Namibia does not have tourist offices in Australia, Canada or the U.S.
Namibian Embassies
U.K.: Namibian High Commission, 6 Chandos St., London W1M 0LQ. Phone 20-7636-6244. Fax 20-7637-5694. http://namibia.embassyhomepage.com.
U.S.: Embassy of Namibia, 1605 New Hampshire Ave. N.W., Washington, DC 20009. Phone 202-986-0540. Fax 202-986-0443. http://www.namibianembassyusa.org. There is also a United Nations mission in New York.
Namibia does not have diplomatic representation in Australia or Canada.
Foreign Embassies in Namibia
Australia is represented by its high commission in South Africa: 292 Orient St., Arcadia, Pretoria 0083. Phone 27-12-423-6000. Fax 27-12-342-8442. http://www.australia.co.za.
The Canadian High Commission in South Africa has consular responsibility for Namibia: 1103 Arcadia St., Hatfield, Pretoria 0083. Phone 27-12-422-3000. Fax 27-12-422-3052. http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/southafrica/menu-en.asp.
British High Commission, 116 Robert Mugabe Ave., Windhoek 9000. Phone 061-274-800. Fax 061-228-895 http://www.britishhighcommission.gov.uk/namibia.
U.S. Embassy, 14 Lossen St., Ausspannplatz, Windhoek. Phone 061-295-8500. Fax 061-295-8603. http://windhoek.usembassy.gov.
Additional Reading
Heat, Dust and Dreams: An Exploration of People and Environment in Namibia's Kaokoland and Damaraland by Mary Rice and Craig Gibson (Struik Publishers) is a stunningly visual historiography of the various peoples and cultures of this vast, desolate land.
Namibia's Liberation Struggle: The Two-Edged Sword by Colin Leys and John S. Saul (Ohio University Press) is a detailed account of how the struggle for independence impacted the liberation movement itself.
