Tips and useful information

The Kretzschmar family will arrange many matters for your trip. On your way to the farm and at ONDUASU you well advised and in "best hands". Nevertheless, there are certain matters that have to be clarified beforehand.
Following are a few recommendations:

Overview

1. Entry Requirements
2. Luggage
3. Customs Regulations
4. Rifle Import Requirements and Hunting Laws
5. Insurance - Travel Health Insurance
6. Vaccinations and Malaria
7. Language
8. Currency - Exchange Rate - Money Transfers
9. Electricity
10. Mobile and Telephone
11. Photography
12. Clothing

 

Entry Requirements

To be able to enter Namibia, a valid Passport with a period of validity exceeding at least six months of the date of the return journey and at least two clean pages, is required. German tourists can enter without a visa, if their stay does not exceed 90 days and as long as they do not take up any employment. A Visitors Entry Permit is issued free of charge upon arrival at all official border crossing points in the event of a short-term stay (up to 90 days), be it as a tourist or business venture, as long no employment is pursued. This is valid for holders of ordinary, Official and Diplomatic Passports.

The German Children Identification will be recognised, if it contains a photo (required from 0 years) and enough space for an entry - and exit stamp. An alternative would be to obtain a passport for children.

During the flight to Namibia, you will receive an Entry Permit, which has to be filled in and handed in at the passport control at the Hosea Kutako International Airport.

And another Tip: Copy your passport including the page holding the Namibian entry stamp and carry the copy with you. It is best to deposit the original on the farm. It can be useful to scan your passport and other documents into your e-mail address should you have one.

Please check for different entry regulations should family members have Passports or Children Identifications of other countries.

Luggage

Regulations concerning luggage vary with all airlines. The following information is for your orientation only. You will be able to obtain the specific regulations from the respective airline or your travel agent.

Free Luggage: In general the air fare includes transportation of 20 kg luggage.

Excess Weight: Excess weight (generally above 20 kg) is transported at an extra charge. Please inquire in advance about extra charges, as different airlines have different regulations concerning weight and tariffs.

Hand Luggage: Hand luggage may be taken on board. Generally, it should not weigh more than 8 kg. The hand luggage may contain items for daily use like nail scissors, disposable shaver or pocket knife with a blade with a maximum length of 6 cm.

Furthermore: Liquid containers may only have the size of 100 ml and must be transported in a transparent 1 litre bag, which can be sealed again e.g. a "Zipper" freezer bag. The bag must be presented separately at the security check. Each person may only take one bag into the aeroplane (baby food and medications are generally excluded).

Excluded from this are all items, which have been bought after the boarding check. They are in accordance with the security standards. Items containing liquids will be packed and sealed in the respective bag by the attendants and should only be opened after arrival at your destination.

Keep the cash slip of the item and note that it carries the specific date of your trip.

Luggage Check: Security is the ultimate priority. That includes the luggage. Additional X-ray apparatus serve as an optical control before the Check-in counter. Thus, arrange for sufficient time. Close and lock your suitcase as usual. Padlocks should not be used.

Customs Regulations

Objects for personal use may be imported. Furthermore, each person can import the following duty-free: wine (not more than 2 litre), strong alcoholic beverages (only 1 litre), chigarettes (not more than 400 cigarettes or 50 cigars), 50 ml perfume, and other new and used articles to the value of N$ 1250. Additional articles or goods with a total value of N$ 10 000 per person will be charged with customs duty at a standard rate of 20 %. Duty is charged on articles worth more than N$ 10 000 according to the general tariffs. Not more than N$ 2 000 (Namibian Dollars) may be imported.

Caution with exotic souvenirs!

Please inquire which souvenirs may not be exported or not imported into your home country due to protection of species before beginning your trip. Many tourists receive a bad shock when their memento is confiscated by customs or worse if penalties follow.

The farmer will assist you with information in this regard.

Rifle Import and Hunting Laws

Customs regulations allow each hunter to import his own rifle, which must be declared upon entry. A valid firearms licence from the home country as well as an invitation from the hunting organiser is required.
The firearm and ammunition will be physically inspected (luggage collection area) upon entry at the airport. The number of the rifle and the ammunition must be recorded on the application form laid out. On account of the application, a temporary licence for Namibia will be issued immediately. The import of handguns and automatic firearms is not permitted.

(The above mentioned application form can be seen under the link "The Rifle Import/Export Permit" on the page of NAPHA, the Namibia Professional Hunting Association.)

A valid hunting licence of the home country is not required for hunting in Namibia:

Foreign hunters may only hunt in company of a Namibian registered hunting guide or Professional Hunter. He will get the required hunting permits from the Namibian Ministry of Environment and Tourism.
ONDUASU guarantees you these prerequisites.

Insurance - Travel Insurance

It is recommended to obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance in your home country. Get professional advice.

Check whether your medical insurance covers the costs in case of illness. If this is not the case, it is advisable to obtain a foreign travel health insurance.

Make sure that the foreign travel health insurance covers possible repatriation. Travel hints are based on the information as supplied by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs at the given point in time and regarded as trustworthy.

Vaccinations

There are no mandatory vaccinations.

The health service of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs recommends the following as sensible vaccinations:

Tetanus, Diphtheria, Polio and Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B for a stay longer than three months. Protective vaccination against Rabies and Typhoid seems sensible in case of risk exposure like hunting, jogging or a vacation in risk areas. Please consult your family doctor.

A valid Yellow Fewer Certificate is required if travellers originate from an area with risk of yellow fever transmissions.

Malaria

ONDUASU is not situated inside the registered malaria areas.

Personal precautions:

• While travelling through Namibia follow these tips to reduce the danger of being bitten be mosquitoes:
• Sleep under a mosquito net when in mosquito active area between 8h00 pm and 6h00 am. Spraying the nets with a harmless insecticide increases protection.
• Wear long sleeve clothing and long trousers for this time, Dak clothing attracts mosquitoes.
• Apply mosquito repellents on exposeds skin and clothing. Make sure that these contain Diethyl toluamide (deet) or dimethyl phthalate.
• The use of insect sprays is advisable at spaces where the entrance of mosquitoes can be prevented. If windows and doors are not protected by a fly screen, make sure that these are closed.

Prophylaxis:

A malaria prophylaxis is only meaningful when travelling to area north of the Etosha National Park or the Caprivi. The best is to protect you against mosquito bites as no malaria medication provides total protection. Upon your return from malaria areas, it is important to be on the lookout for malaria symptoms and if necessary, to see a doctor immediately while taking the malaria medication.

Language

English is the official language. Besides that, about 60 % of the White inhabitants speak Afrikaans and 35 % German. Moreover local languages Herero, Ovambo, Damara, Nama and others are spoken. In general, you will be able to cope very well with German and English.

Currency - Rate - Mony Transfer

The Namibian Dollar (NAD) is the currency of the country. Here you will find the actual exchange rate: www.oanda.com

Credit Cards

Generally credit cards can be used all over Namibia except at petrol or filling stations.

Other important tips: 

Avoid visible handling of big amounts of cash or credit cards! Do not wear expensive jewellery! Do not leave any valuables lying visibly in your car!

Electricity

The rooms at ONDUASU have a 220 V alternating current connection.

Guest farms and Lodges not connected to the national power line, use generators to produce their own electricity. Thus, the full power of the 220 current will not necessarily be available for 24 hours. Generally the power is adequate to charge batteries of cameras, mobiles etc.

In general:

• The electricity supply provides a 220/240 alternating current.
• Three-pin plugs are used in Namibia. The respective adapters can be bought in every bigger Supermarket.
• Many accommodation establishments will lend adapters for the time of stay.
• Several bigger hotels provide power points according to euro norms.
• Plugs for Namibia are not included in the world tour plug set.

Telephone and Cell phone

• MTC Namibia has a roaming agreement with over 102 coutries for you to reach.
• For all countries (for example dailling code from Namibia to Germany 0049), then the telephone number without the zero of the area code.
• Calling Namibia: Namibia's dailling code 00264, then the telephone number withour the zero of the area code.
• Cell phones with GSM stndard and SIM do function. Reception is limited to bigger towns and surrounding areas.

Photography

You will be overwhelmed by motives. Bring your own supplies of film, as locally they are more expensive than in your home country.

Dust and heat are a real danger to all photographic equipment.

Here some handy tips:

• Never leave the camera lying in the sun. A camera bag will protect the camera against vibrations and dust. Always closed the lens with the lid.
• Remove the dust with either a brush or bellows. Do not rub with paper!
• Remember to take sufficient spare batteries and memory cards for the camera!
• Colourles UV filter improve the picture and protect the lens.
• If possible, take a second camera along. Sand and dust have already blocked many cameras.

Please respect unknown customs and traditions; please inquire friendly before taking a photo!!!

Clothing

Namibia anjoys pleasant day temperatures of about 25 °C during winter (May - September); the nights are cold often with frost. Thus, one has to pack summer clothes but also warmer clothes as worn during transitional periods.

During the summer months, it is extremely hot during the day and even the nights do not cool off enough to be able to sleep well. For these times, one needs light and especially sweat absorbing clothes.

It is very important to have light headgear, sunglasses, sun cream and comfortable walking shoes at hand.