+ 1 h; +/- 0 h during our daylight saving time

Windhoek

English

• 220 volts
• A travel adaptor for plug types D and M is required

Banks

9.00 am - 3.30 pm (Mon - Fri)
8.30 am - 12.00 pm (Sat)

Shops

8.30 am - 5.00 pm (Mon - Fri)
8.30 am - 1.00 pm (Sat)
Larger supermarkets and shopping centres are open daily from 9.00 am to 5.00/6.00 pm.

• 1 January - New Year’s Day
• 21 March - Independence Day
• Good Friday - date varies
• Easter Monday - date varies
• 1 May - Workers’ Day
• 4 May - Cassinga Day (commemorating the victims of the 1978 Cassinga massacre)
• Ascension Day - date varies
• 25 May - Africa Day
• 26 August - Heroes’ Day
• 10 December - Namibian Women’s Day and International Human Rights Day
• 25 December - Christmas Day
• 26 December - Family Day

The following documents are required to enter Namibia:

• Passport valid for at least 6 months on entry and containing at least 2 blank pages.

• From 1 April 2025, Swiss nationals require a visa to enter Namibia. The visa can be applied for online via the website of the Namibian Ministry of Home Affairs.

• Travellers must present a return ticket and proof of sufficient financial means.
• A booking confirmation or other proof of accommodation must be presented.

• Minors: For minors travelling alone, with only one parent or without their parents, a travel authorisation is recommended.

As of: March 2025

Namibia fascinates with an impressive variety of climatic conditions that give each region its own distinctive character:

• Coastal regions (e.g. Swakopmund, Lüderitz): The coastal regions are influenced by the cold Benguela Current, which keeps temperatures cool at between 15 and 25 °C and often brings morning fog. Conditions remain moderate throughout the year, with few extreme fluctuations, while rainfall stays below 50 mm.
• Central Highlands (e.g. Windhoek): The Central Highlands, including the lively capital Windhoek, experience hot summers with temperatures of up to 35 °C and cool winters. In winter, daytime temperatures fall to around 20 °C, while at night they often drop below 5 °C.
• Northern regions (e.g. Etosha National Park): In the north, where the famous Etosha National Park is located, summer temperatures reach 35–40 °C, while winters remain mild at 20–25 °C. The rainy season is more pronounced here, with 400–600 mm of rainfall transforming the landscape into lush greenery.
• Southern regions (e.g. Fish River Canyon): Southern Namibia, including the area around the spectacular Fish River Canyon, is dry and barren. Temperatures can vary considerably: in summer, daytime temperatures can reach 40 °C, while at night they may fall below 5 °C.
• Namib Desert: The Namib Desert on the west coast is one of the driest places on Earth, with annual rainfall of less than 50 mm. In summer, daytime temperatures can reach up to 40 °C, while at night they fall to a cool 5–10 °C.

Best time to visit Namibia:

• Beach holidays and coastal exploration (e.g. Swakopmund, Walvis Bay): The months from May to September, during the Namibian winter, are ideal for visiting the coastal regions. This is an excellent time for beach walks and exploring the unique coastal landscapes, as skies are often clear and the days sunny.
• Safaris and nature exploration (e.g. Etosha National Park): The best time for safaris in Namibia is during the dry season from May to October. Temperatures are pleasant during these months and vegetation is sparser, making wildlife easier to spot and observe. Waterholes also attract large numbers of animals.
• Cultural and urban exploration (e.g. Windhoek, Lüderitz): The months from April to May and September to October are ideal for cultural trips and city visits in Namibia. These transitional months offer milder temperatures and fewer tourists.

• Using a mobile phone in Namibia can incur roaming charges. It is advisable to check roaming fees before travelling and, if necessary, purchase a suitable roaming package to reduce costs.
• Free Wi-Fi is available in some restaurants, cafés and hotels.
• To avoid roaming charges, it is recommended to purchase a prepaid SIM card in Namibia, offering affordable mobile internet and local calls.

• Sossusvlei & Deadvlei: Impressive red sand dunes and white clay pans.
• Etosha National Park: A paradise for safaris and wildlife watching.
• Fish River Canyon: The second-largest canyon in the world, with spectacular views.
• Spitzkoppe: Impressive granite formations and rock paintings.
• Twyfelfontein: Historic rock engravings and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• Etosha Pan: A vast salt pan in Etosha National Park, ideal for wildlife watching.
• Skeleton Coast: A wild coastal landscape with shipwrecks and seal colonies.
• Waterberg Plateau: A unique natural area for hiking and wildlife watching.
• Windhoek: The capital, with traces of German colonial heritage and a lively cultural scene.
  
  Discover even more of Namibia: In our blog articles “Namibia – Adventure between the desert and the Atlantic” and “Namibia – Damaraland & Etosha: Between rock art and safari”, you can discover the country’s diversity – from Spitzkoppe, the Skeleton Coast, Sossusvlei and Deadvlei to Twyfelfontein, desert elephants and the waterholes of Etosha National Park.

Namibian cuisine is a fascinating blend of African traditions and strong German influences, reflected in a varied and flavoursome culinary landscape.

• Fine game meat: Namibia is well known for its game dishes, including tender kudu, oryx and springbok steaks, served grilled or in hearty stews.
• Biltong: This popular snack made from dried and seasoned meat, often prepared with game, is a must-try for many visitors and reflects the importance of meat dishes in Namibian cuisine.
• German specialities: From bratwurst and sauerkraut to German-style cakes and beers, Namibia’s German colonial heritage remains visible in its cuisine.
• Fresh seafood: In coastal towns such as Swakopmund and Lüderitz, you can enjoy a variety of seafood, including fresh oysters and fish, reflecting Namibia’s maritime character.
• Kapana: This popular street food, grilled over an open flame and served at roadside stalls, is more than just a meal – it is also an authentic cultural experience.

• Greetings: In Namibia, a handshake is the customary form of greeting. It is common to offer the right hand while supporting the right forearm with the left hand, a gesture that signals respect and trust.
• Saying please and thank you: Politeness is highly valued in Namibia. Simple words such as “please” and “thank you” are always appreciated in conversation and help foster friendly relations.
• Clothing: Dress in Namibia is generally casual but appropriate. In urban areas and on special occasions, more formal clothing may be expected. In rural and traditional areas, more conservative dress is advisable, particularly at religious sites.
• Dining culture: It is customary to wash your hands both before and after meals. Sharing food is seen as a sign of community and hospitality. If you are offered something, it is polite to try at least a little.
• Tipping: In restaurants and hotels, it is customary to leave a tip of around 10-15% of the bill, unless service is already included. Small tips for taxi drivers and porters are also common and appreciated.

• Tap water in Namibia is not safe to drink and should be avoided; travellers should use bottled water to minimise health risks.

• No mandatory vaccinations are required for entry into Namibia. However, it is advisable to check standard vaccinations in accordance with the Swiss vaccination schedule before travelling and update them if necessary. Additional vaccinations against hepatitis A, dengue, hepatitis B, typhoid, rabies and meningococcal disease (ACWY) may be advisable depending on the itinerary and duration of the trip.

• Mosquito protection is essential in Namibia, as the country includes tropical regions where malaria and other mosquito-borne diseases such as dengue, chikungunya and Zika occur.

• The quality of medical care in Namibia varies considerably between urban and rural areas. While larger cities such as Windhoek, Swakopmund and Walvis Bay have good-quality medical facilities, healthcare may be more limited in remote regions.
• It is strongly recommended to take out comprehensive international travel health insurance before travelling, including cover for emergency repatriation.
• Visitors should also bring sufficient quantities of any important medicines they require, as availability locally may be limited.

• Before and during your trip, keep informed about the current situation through the media and remain in contact with your tour operator.
• Namibia is generally considered one of the safer travel destinations in Africa. Nevertheless, demonstrations and large gatherings should be avoided, as unrest can occur.
• As in many countries, crime also occurs in Namibia, particularly in larger cities such as Windhoek, Swakopmund and Walvis Bay. Common offences include pickpocketing, burglary and car theft. Travellers should avoid displaying valuables and should not walk alone at night. 

• Further information on the current security situation is available on the website of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA).

As of: March 2025

• Traffic drives on the left.

• An international driving permit is mandatory and is only valid when accompanied by your national driving licence.

• The minimum age for renting a car is 21, depending on the rental company.

• Blood alcohol limit: 0.0 ‰.

• Trains: Namibia’s railway network is operated by the state-owned company TransNamib and includes three main types of train:

  • StarLine passenger trains: Connect Windhoek with major towns and cities such as Swakopmund and Keetmanshoop, with air-conditioned economy and business-class carriages.

  • Desert Express: A luxury train operating at weekends between Windhoek and Swakopmund, offering sleeping compartments, a dining car and a viewing platform.

  • African Explorer: A tourist train operated by Rovos Rail, travelling past attractions such as Fish River Canyon and Etosha National Park.

• Buses:  Buses are an important form of public transport in Namibia, although they are not specifically geared towards tourists and the network does not cover the entire country.

  • Long-distance buses: Companies such as Intercape Mainliner connect major towns and cities including Windhoek, Swakopmund and Walvis Bay and also offer cross-border services to Cape Town or Victoria Falls.

  • Minibuses: These are popular with the local population and connect towns along the main roads. However, they generally leave only once all seats are occupied, resulting in irregular and sometimes delayed departures.

  • City buses: Windhoek has a basic public bus network used mainly by local residents. However, timetable and route information is rarely available online.​​​
• Taxis: Taxis are available in larger towns and cities such as Windhoek, Swakopmund and Walvis Bay, both private and shared. They are inexpensive, but are often in poor condition, and there have been reports of unsafe drivers. Tourists are advised to arrange taxis through hotels or restaurants rather than hailing them spontaneously in the street.

Namibia has a well-developed network of airports and airfields supporting both international and domestic air travel. 

• Hosea Kutako International Airport (WDH), Windhoek: The main hub for international and domestic flights in Namibia, with connections to major cities in Africa and Europe.
• Walvis Bay Airport (WVB), Walvis Bay: Primarily serves domestic flights as well as some international routes to South Africa and is an important hub for Namibia’s coastal region.
• Eros Airport (ERS), Windhoek: An important airport for domestic flights and charter services, particularly for short-haul routes and access to tourist destinations in the interior.
• Rundu Airport (NDU), Rundu: Connects Namibia’s north-eastern region with Windhoek and mainly serves domestic traffic as well as occasional charter flights.

Airlines such as South African Airways, Ethiopian Airlines and Qatar Airways connect Windhoek with cities such as Johannesburg, Addis Ababa and Doha. There are no direct flights from Switzerland; travellers from Europe generally fly via hubs such as Frankfurt, Johannesburg or Doha.

00 41 (omit the initial zero of the Swiss number)

• General emergency number (police, ambulance, fire brigade): 10 111

Craft Café Namibia, Namibia Craft Centre
Old Breweries Building
40 Tal Street
Windhoek, Namibia

Tel. +264 816 507 075
Email: windhoek@honrep.ch

• Drug laws are very strict.
• The border between Namibia and Angola is in some places marked only by a simple wire fence or is not marked at all. Crossing this border illegally, even by only a few metres, may result in arrest by Namibian or Angolan border police, as well as fines and/or imprisonment.
• Always carry a photocopy of your passport, including the entry stamp or visa, so that you can identify yourself during police checks.
• Photographing military installations or aircraft without prior permission is not recommended.
• The import and use of drones are subject to strict regulations in Namibia.