Namibia Travel Guide - Getting Around

Flying is the quickest and often the most economical way to travel around the country. Air Namibia (SW) (website: www.airnamibia.com.na) links Windhoek’s Eros Airport to all of the major towns in the territory. A number of local charter companies can arrange flights and tours by light aircraft.

With the exception of its two dedicated luxury services, rail travel in Namibia is not geared to tourism – progress is slow, the network is limited and most trains run overnight. The main routes are Windhoek–Keetmanshoop–Upington, South Africa, Walvis Bay–Swakopmund–Tsumeb, Windhoek–Tsumeb and Lüderitz–Keetmanshoop. First- and second-class carriages are available and light refreshments are offered on some services. On overnight voyages, seats in first-class compartments convert to four couchettes and those in second class to six couchettes. Local passenger trains run daily.

The luxury Desert Express runs between Swakopmund and Windhoek, a 19-hour 30-minute journey which includes several stops which give travellers the opportunity to watch lions feeding, see the Namib Desert, walk in the sand dunes and admire the stars. A three-course dinner and overnight accommodation are included in the ticket price. The Northern Desert Express is a luxury service to Etosha National Park. More details on rail services are available from TransNamib (website: www.transnamib.com.na).

Traffic drives on the left. Roads are generally well maintained but away from the main highways surfaces are gravel or dirt, not tarmac. There are 64,799km (40,266 miles) of road, of which 7,841km (4,872 miles) are tarred. Although traffic is very light, people and animals sometimes walk in the road; driving after dark can be particularly dangerous. If travelling along the Caprivi Strip, stay on the tarred road.

Bus: The Intercape Mainliner (tel: (061) 227 847; website: www.intercape.co.za) luxury coach service runs from Walvis Bay to Livingstone in Zambia and from Windhoek to South Africa via Springbok or Upington, stopping at major towns along the way.

Car hire: Self-drive cars are available at the airport and Windhoek city centre, as well as some other major centres.

Regulations: The minimum driving age is 23 years. The speed limit is 60-80kph (37-50mph) in built up areas, 80-90kph (50-56mph) on gravel roads and 120kph (75mph) on tar roads. Seat belts are compulsory.

Emergency breakdown service: AAN (Automobile Association of Nambia) (tel: (061) 224 201).

Documentation: An International Driving Permit is required.

There is a local bus service in Windhoek, and taxis are available in all Namibian towns.

The following chart gives approximate journey times (in hours and minutes) from Windhoek to other major towns/destinations in Namibia:

	Air	Road
Walvis Bay/Swakopumund	0.50	3.00-4.00
Odangwa/Etosha	1.30	5.00
Sossusvlei	1.00	4.30