Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
as rugs, wall hangings and textiles. The better weaving outlets are found in Dordabis,
Swakopmund and Windhoek.
Windhoek is the centre of the upmarket leather industry, and there you'll find high-
quality products, from belts and handbags to made-to-measure leather jackets. Beware,
however, of items made from crocodile or other protected species, and note that those
comfortable shoes known as
Swakopmunders
are made from kudu leather. Several shops
have now stopped selling them.
Minerals and gemstones are popular purchases. Malachite, amethyst, chalcedony, aqua-
marine, tourmaline, jasper and rose quartz are among the most beautiful. You'll find the
best jewellery shops in Windhoek and Swakopmund and the most reputable of these is
House of Gems (
Click here
)
in Windhoek.
If you're interested in something that appears to be exotic or resembles an artefact, ask
about its provenance. Any antiquity must have an export/import permit and the dealer
must have a licence to sell antiquities.
Buying souvenirs derived from protected wild species - cheetahs, leopards, elephants
or (heaven forbid) rhinos - is prohibited. In Windhoek and other places, you'll see lots of
ivory pieces and jewellery for sale. The only legitimate stuff is clearly marked as culled
ivory from Namibian national parks.
BARGAINING
Bargaining is only acceptable when purchasing handicrafts and arts directly from the pro-
ducer or artist, but in remote areas the prices asked normally represent close to market
value. The exception is crafts imported from Zimbabwe, which are generally sold at large
craft markets for inflated prices that are always negotiable.
Telephone
The Namibian fixed-line phone system run by
Telecom Namibia
(
www.telecom.na
)
is
very efficient, and getting through to fixed-line numbers is extremely easy. However, as in
the rest of Africa, the fixed-line system is rapidly being overtaken by the massive popular-
ity of prepaid mobile phones.
Fixed-line calls to the UK/US and Europe cost around N$3.50 to N$4.50 per minute at
peak times; and around N$2 to N$3 per minute to neighbouring countries. See
www.telecom.na/index.php/tariffs/international-services
for exact charges.
Given the increasing number of wi-fi hot spots in the country, using Skype is also be-
coming a more common (and much cheaper) alternativ e.
