Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Independence Day
21 March
Ascension Day
April or May
Workers' Day
1 May
Cassinga Day
4 May
Africa Day
25 May
Heroes' Day
26 August
Human Rights Day
10 December
Christmas
25 December
Family/Boxing Day
26 December
Safe Travel
Namibia is one of the safest countries in Africa. It's also a huge country with a very sparse
population, and even the capital, Windhoek, is more like a provincial town than an urban
jungle. Unfortunately however, crime is on the rise in the larger cities, in particular Wind-
hoek, but a little street sense will go a long way here.
SCAMS
A common scam you might encounter in Namibia is the pretty innocuous palm-ivory nut
scam practiced at various petrol stations. It starts with a friendly approach from a couple
of young men, who ask your name. Without you seeing it they then carve your name onto
a palm-ivory nut and then offer it to you for sale for anything up to N$70, hoping that
you'll feel obligated to buy the personalised item. You can obtain the same sort of thing at
any curio shop for around N$20. It's hardly the crime of the century but it pays to be
aware.
A more serious trick, particularly prevalent in Walvis Bay in 2012, is for one guy to dis-
tract a parked motorist while their accomplice opens a door and grabs your bags from the
back seat or from the front passenger seat. Aways keep the doors of your vehicle locked,
and be aware of distractions.
THE SPERRGEBIET
En route to Lüderitz from the east, keep well clear of the Sperrgebiet (Forbidden Zone),
the prohibited diamond area. Well-armed patrols can be overly zealous. The area begins
immediately south of the A4 Lüderitz-Keetmanshoop road and continues to just west of
Aus, where the off-limits boundary turns south towards the Orange River. It's best to have
a healthy respect for the boundaries.
