Information

Here you can find useful information for your stay in Namibia.

Flightinformation

Usually you will arrive at the Hosea Kutako International airport in Windhoek. The Airport code is WDH.

At the moment Air Namibia offers direct flights from Frankfurt (Germany) to Windhoek four times a week. In Frankfurt Air Namibia can be found at Terminal 2, Gate D, level 2, Airlinedesk 880 to 889.

South African Airways offers fligths from Munich (Germany) via Johannesburg to Windhoek. You can find South African Airways at terminal 2, level 3 in Munich.

Car rental

Book your rental car over us at Asco Car Hire and receive a 10% discount on the price!

Essential information on hunting in Namibia:

• The Namibian Trophy Hunting season opens on February 1 and closes on November 30 of each year.
• Clients should ensure that they are booked and will be hunting with a registered Namibian operator, as well as a registered Namibian hunting professional.
• The three classifications of hunting professionals are:

• Hunting guides
• Master hunting guides
• Professional hunters

• Big Game Professional Hunters - registered Namibian professional hunter who has passed the Big Game examination; and
• Bow Hunting Professional Hunters - registered Namibian hunting professional with an additional bow-hunting qualification.

• Hunting professionals should comply with all the Ministry of Environment & Tourism's (MET's) trophy-hunting regulations.
• Trophy hunting may be practised from half an hour before sunrise, until half an hour after sunset.
• Trophy hunting may take place only on properties where permission has been granted by the landowner.
• Properties where bow hunting is practised must be registered additionally with MET for bow hunting.
• The following is required regarding permits for trophy hunting:

• Permits must be issued prior to the hunt commencing;
• A separate permit must be issued for each individual hunting client;
• An extra, special permit is required for the large cats (leopard, cheetah, lion). It contains an additional list of conditions;
• A permit must be completed in full by the hunting client and the hunting professional (wounded or lost animals must also be indicated on the permit);
• Permits are issued by the MET only; and
• A maximum of two trophies per species may be harvested, per hunting client, per permit.

• All trophy-hunting operators must be registered with the Namibia Tourism Board (NTB).
• Dogs may not be used to hunt for predators.
  
  Requirements for importing firearms
• Refer to the Namibian Professional Hunting Association (NAPHA) website for required minimum muzzle velocities for firearms for various game species.
• A maximum of one-hundred (100) rounds of ammunition may be imported per hunting rifle. Only ammunition for the specific caliber may be imported.
• It is legal to hunt with black powder rifles in Namibia. (Refer to this website for the black-powder hunting regulations.)
• It is illegal to transport black powder and percussion caps. These can be purchased in Namibia. Inquire with your trophy-hunting operator.
• It is legal to import bows for bow-hunting purposes. No import permit is required. (Refer to this website for the Bow Hunting requirements.) .
• Payment

• A detailed Tax Invoice must be issued for every hunt;
• Value-added tax (VAT) is currently 15% and must be paid on services and trophies that are not exported. by the hunting operator on behalf of the client. (The VAT on trophies to be exported by the operator if accompanied with a copy of the passport of the client, the completed hunting permit and a copy of the invoice for the hunt is zero %.);
• Please enquire what means of payment is required by your operator;
• VAT is applicable on wounded game not recovered.

• It is illegal to hunt for trophies:

• at night and/or with an artificial light;
• that do not qualify in terms of the minimum measurement requirements as specified by the MET, Namibian Quality Control. If trophies do not meet this requirement, they do not have to be paid for. Exceptions are trophies with abnormalities and age deformities, which are taken home by the client, (Refer to the NAPHA Medal Brochure for minimum measurements.); and
• in contravention of the Fair Chase principals as stated in the NAPHA Code of Conduct.

• Prohibited firearms are

• All handguns
• All automatic firearms
• All crossbows

• Book and hunt only with a NAPHA member and an operator who can prove that he is registered with the Namibian Tourism Board. Consult the annual Huntinamibia magazine or refer to this website for a complete membership list.
• It is highly recommended that you enter into a written and signed pre-hunt agreement/ contract mutually agreed upon with your trophy-hunting operator or agent.
• It is recommended that you request to see your trophy-hunting permit prior to commencing your hunt. If no permit has been issued, your trophy export will be jeopardised. All trophies taken must be checked and signed by the hunting client and the hunting professional on the trophy-hunting permit on completion of the hunt.
• There is no limit to the number of firearms that may be imported into Namibia for trophy-hunting purposes -

• NAPHA, however, recommends a maximum of two firearms per hunting client;
• If travelling through South Africa, keep in mind that immigration control there clears a maximum of two firearms for import;
• Any unconventional firearm to be imported for trophy-hunting purposes is to be applied for to the Inspector General before arrival;
• It is suggested that you bring between sixty and eighty rounds of ammunition per hunting rifle.

• Take out full insurance for all firearms before travelling anywhere in Africa.
• NAPHA recommends flying directly to Namibia from Europe into Hosea Kutako International Airport near Windhoek. This will minimise delays associated with firearm transport. Air Namibia offers a direct service.
• Recent regulations have made travelling with firearms a time-consuming process when entering South Africa. Make sure that you stay in transit with your luggage.

• It is suggested that you adhere to the following procedure to minimise problems when travelling with firearms:

• All bags need to be adequately marked with nametags for identification;
• Pack an unloaded rifle in a sturdy carry case;
• Have a separate lockable container in which to store your ammunition separate from your rifle in your checked luggage;
• At the check-in counter at the point of departure, insist that the agent check your firearm through to Hosea Kutako International Airport, Windhoek. Your bag tag should read, for example: New York - Frankfurt - Windhoek OR Atlanta - Johannesburg - Windhoek. (This is sometimes not possible if the airlines that you are using do not have baggage agreements. Inquire about this before purchasing your ticket.);
• Windhoek Airport's International baggage code is WDH; and
• Physically check baggage tag to ensure that it has been correctly printed and attached. Inquire if a colourful 'in transit tag' is necessary when travelling through another country.

Entry conditions:

For the entry to Namibia you need a passport which is valid for at least 6 month after leaving Namibia again and which has two empty sheets for official registration. Travelers from Germany, Austria or Switzerland whoms stay does not exceed 90 days and who do not pursue work do not need a visa. At the first entry they get a free entry stamp after the passport control.

For children traveling with you the german child´s passport is accepted if it contains a picture and has to empty sheets for official registration. It is recommended that children have their own passport.

Before the arrival in Windhoek an entry- and leaving formula is distributed which has to be filled out properly and has to be left at the passport control. This formula is only in English language available.

It is recommended that you make copies of the documents you are carrying with you and leave the original documents at the farm. If a passport gets lost in the bush it usually stays there and your stay is not as comfortable as it should be.

Arms import and hunting determination:

Every hunter is allowed to bring his own rifle to Namibia as long as he declares it at the entry. At the entry a valid gunlicense of the homecountry and a huntinginvitation have to be submitted.

In the packagearea of the airport Windhoek there is a counter for rifles right after the passport control. At the counter there is a formula which has to be filled out completely! Please make sure to fill in the right rifle number. The filled out formula has to be handed out to the policeman at the counter together with your passport and your gunlicense. The police will check your gun and maybe your ammunition, please keep both in range. If there are many hunters it will take some time until you get your gun.

Hunters do not need a Namibian huntinglicense. Foreign hunters are only allowed to hunt with a Namibian, licensed hunting guide or professional hunter who will get all needed documents for them.

Recommended packinglist for hunting at Ondombo:

• Tickets, gunlicense, huntinglicense and passport
• Rifle ( maximum 2, no fully automatic rifles)
• Ammunition (maximum 60)
• Binoculars
• Camera
• Videocamera
• Small back bag for daily use
• Knife
• Flashlight
• Jacket (tight material, green, dark khaki or camouflage)
• Long- and shortsleeved shirts
• Longlegged trousers (tight material, green, dark khaki or camouflage)
• Well worn, resistant footwear ( leatherboots are recommended)
• Comfortable shoes for trips
• Gloves
• Hat or cap
• Personal medicine

Clothes:

Between May and September the daily temperatures reach 25 degree in the night and in the morning it is way colder and we recommend warm clothes.

In the African summer it is hot and the temperatures climb up to 35 degree and more and it stays warm in the night. We recommend light summer clothes.

Make sure to carry a hat, sunprotection, sunglasses and well worn shoes with you.

Luggage:

Baggage rules differentiate between the airlines. The rules mentioned below are just guidelines. Please contact your airline for detailed information.

Free luggage

Luggage up to 20 kg is usually covered by the price you paid for your ticket. Air Namibia accepts 23 kg free luggage. (Updated April 2013)

Excess luggage

For excess luggage you have to pay, please contact your airline for further information.

Handluggage

You are allowed to carry your handluggage during the flight with you in the cabin. In general the airlines accept 8 kg of handluggage. The safetystandards at the airports differ, we would advice you not to put subjects like scissors nailfiles and pocket knifes into your bag. Liquids you carry with you are restricted to 100 ml and have to be carried in a transparent bag. Per person one of these bags can be carried with. There are no such restrictions for medicine and baby food, please contact your airline for detailed information.

If goods are bought at the airport after passing the passport control they are excepted from the restrictions above. These goods are packed at the store and should not be opened before arrival at the flightdestination.

Specialbaggage

Huntingrifles can be taken with at most airlines, the tariffs vary, please contact your airline. It is very important to declare your gun at your airline a few days before your flight. Your gun has to be transported in a stable and lockable guncase. The ammunition has to be transported separated from your gun, a stable and lockable case which you put in your luggage is recommended. Some Airlines want the catch to be transported separately. Please contact your airline for further information.

Luggage control

It takes some time to check your luggage, please count in some time. We do not advice you to lock your luggage with a padlock because in the event of a control by the toll your case has to be damage to open it. (This does not apply to your guncase!)

Custome regulations:

Goods of personal needs can be imported without restrictions. Additionally 2 liter of wine, 1 liter liquor, 400 cigarettes, 50 ml perfume and other new or used goods which total value does not exceed N$ 1250 can be imported. On additional goods up to a total value of N$ 10.000 per person 20% customs duty is collected. Goods with a total value of more than N$ 10.000 is dutiable to the generally customs duty.

Per person N$ 2000 cash can be imported.

If you are planning to bring exotic souvenirs to Namibia or to take some home from Namibia we recommend you to inform yourself about the valid regulations. Forbidden souvenirs will be taken by the custom authority and you will have to pay a fine.

Insurance:

We recommend you to take out a travelling insurance before coming to Namibia. Plaese contact your insurance officer.

Vaccinating:

There are no special vaccinations needed for Namibia. The general vaccinations needed in Europe or America are recommended. For longer stays additional vaccinations against hepatitis A, hepatitis B, typhus, rabies and meningococcal are recommended.

Your doctor or the health institutes in your country can give you further information.

If you arrive to Namibia from an area where yellow fever appears you will need to show a proof that you have a yellow fever vaccination. If you travel via Europe to Namibia you don’t need such a proof.

Malaria
Farm Ondombo is not situated within a Malaria Zone.

Malaria is common at the northern territories. If you are travelling to the north of Namibia it is necessary to protect you from being stung by a mosquito. Wear longsleeved Shirts and longlegged trousers in bright colors. Use mosquitoprotection in the evening- and nighthours and sleep under a mosquitonet.

Malariaprophylaxis is possible but only recommended when staying in the northern territories. Please contact your doctor.

Language:

The official language in Namibia is English. White people usually speak Afrikaans or German. In additional languages like Herereo, Ovambo and Nama are spoken by the local people. In general you only need English or German to communicate in Namibia.

Money:

The currency in Namibia is the Namibian Dollar (NAD). The current exchange rate can be found here.

Except for patrol stations it is no problem to pay with common credit cards. Cash can be received at ATMs with your credit card. Make sure to know your code.

Be careful with bigger amounts of cash, do not show them in public and never leave your credit card unguarded. Do not wear too much jewelry and do not leave goods of worth in your car.

Electricity:

Farm Ondombo is linked to the public electricity supply system, the sockets run with 220 Volts alternating current and need three phased plugs. We do have adapters at our farm. If you decide to travel around in Namibia we recommend you to buy adapters in a supermarket. Sets of adapters available in Europe do not contain the right adapter.

Mobilephone:

The Namibian mobilecompany, MTC Namibia has roaming contracts with over 100 countries. If you want to call from Namibia to your homecountry you need the area code of you country.

If you want to call a person in Namibia the area code for Namibia is 00264.

Mobilephones with general GSM Standards and SIM work well in Namibia. Please contact your mobilephonecompany for further information. The MTC Network works well but does not cover the whole country.

Photography:

There are a lot of possibilities to take a picture in Namibia.

But the dust and heat in Namibia are a challenge for every camera. Make sure to protect your camera from the sun , the dust and vibrations as good as possible. A good camerabag will help you to bring your camera save through Namibia. Always cover your lens when the camera is not in use. When cleaning the lens use a small brush.

You can take as much pictures as you want of the flora and fauna in Namibia but please respect our local cultures and ask before taking pictures of people and their way of living.

Timeshift:

In Namibia summer time is one hour earlier to the middle European summertime and the Namibian wintertime is one hour later to the middle European summertime.