Extra Information

Suggested Clothing and Personal Items

Soft type duffel bag for luggage or suitcases. Just talk to your onsultant.

Good quality pair of sunglasses

Comfortable T-shirts and two long-sleeved shirts

Shorts/skirts/trousers/slacks

Comfortable walking shoes and good quality socks

Sweater/anorak/parka for cold evenings

Swimming costume

Binoculars, camera & film

Personal toiletries

A good flash light/torch

Visas (if req.), passport, money etc. It is recommended to take US$ in small notes. The guide will recommend how much to exchange along the route. International credit cards are accepted in most towns.

Light raincoat for summer rains (Nov-April)

Basic medical kit to include: Malaria prophylactics, Anti-histamine cream, Aspirins, Elastoplast, Antiseptic cream or powder, Moisturising/suntan lotion, Insect repellent.

Pre-Arrival Safari Information

Legal requirements: All safari participants are required to accept the standard terms and conditions of the company.

Money: Credit cards are not acceptable everywhere.

Health: Even though Bluecrane does not place age restrictions, it is accepted that participants to be responsibly fit to join any of the safaris. Long distances through the desert and, in some cases, rough terrain will be driven during an adventure safari.

Drinks: Namibia is a hot country, so drink lots of liquids. Most of the tap water in Namibia is purified and safe to drink. The guide will advise when to drink bottled water. All alcoholic drinks and any other special requirements on your own account at all times.

Luggage: For ground travel tours, suitcases and soft bags are fine to travel. For fly-in safaris, only soft bags with a maximum of 20kgs per person.

Photography: Due to dusty conditions, it is suggested to keep camera equipment in a dustproof or plastic bag.

Insurance: Please ensure holiday insurance is arranged with the agent or tour operator against possible medical expenses, personal accident, luggage etc.

Driving conditions: The roads can be rough, bumpy and very dusty. At times the group will travel off-road and possible injuries may occur such as when hitting a rock or pothole. Even though every precaution is taken for this not to happen, Bluecrane cannot be held responsible for accidents or damages as Bluecrane operate adventure safaris.

Bluecrane Safaris Namibia do have 24 hour Medical Evacuation Insurance that will get any client to the nearest care by plane, helicopter or road depending on the situation.

Tipping Guides

When clients ask for advice on “tipping” a guide or guide assistant it is always so difficult to give adequate counsel. Some clients work on the idea of estimating a daily tip per length of the tour, which can range from U$5 to U$10/ day. Others may wish to estimate a round figure for the duration of the trip.

Should the client wish to pay gratuity it is always a bonus to the guide, to tip in foreign currency and most clients do so. The fact is that gratuity is an autonomous act and completely depends on the service the client has received. It is neither a compulsory nor obligatory, it is completely up to the client.

Other Services

Restaurants/ Hotel Bars: 10%-15%
Porters: N$10 – N$ 30 (Depending on how much Luggage)
Car Guards: N$2 – N$10

1. Have a look at our suggested route, recommended itinerary and the various price options.
2. Contact us with any questions or requests
3. We determine a final route, itinerary and price.
4. We invoice you for a 25% deposit (non refundabale) to secure all bookings.
5. We contact all the suppliers to confirm bookings and make all the arrangements.
6. We invoice you for the balance to be paid 60 days before arrival.
7. Please read our terms and conditions.

Travel Insurance

We highly recommend that you arrange your own travel insurance. Not only for your own peace of mind, but also to cover you in event of possible tour cancellation, emergency evacuation, medical and repatriation expenses as well damage/loss/theft of your belongings, camera equipment, money and the like.

Contact Details

It is important that you give us contact detail of your next of kin or a friend whom we could contact in the event of an emergency. This detail can be provided to us on the booking form that we will forward to you.

Passports/Visas/Vaccinations

Please note that Bluecrane Safaris cannot be held responsible for any of the above.

Passports

Passports must have at least six months of validity remaining beyond your planned date of departure. At least three completely blank pages are required for entry. If you are traveling with minor children to Namibia, be aware that additional documentation is required.

Visas

All visitors to Namibia must have a valid passport for at least six months after the date of entry, and have sufficient pages for entry and exit stamps (at least three blank pages for the entry and exit stamps). All visitors must also have a valid return ticket. In addition, all visitors must have a visa, except those nationalities with which Namibia has the necessary visa exemption agreement.

Visitors from the following countries do not require visas:

Angola, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Belgium, Botswana, Brazil, Canada, Cuba, Denmark, Eswatini, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Iceland, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, Lesotho, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Macau SAR, Malaysia, Malawi, Mauritius, Moldova, Mozambique, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Russia, Seychelles, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United States of America, Uzbekistan, Zambia, Zimbabwe.

Visitors from the following countries can apply for a visa upon arrival in Namibia:

Argentina, Belarus, Cambodia, Chile, Equatorial Guinea, Benin, Cape Verde, Croatia, Eritrea, Bulgaria, Cameroon, Comoros, Cote d’ Ivoire, Gabon, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Central African Republic, Chad, Czech Republic, Djibouti, Ecuador, Estonia, Greece, Gambia, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Mexico, Romania, Slovakia, Hungary, Israel, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, Rwanda, South Korea, Liberia, São Tomé and Principe, Thailand, Madagascar, Nicaragua, Niger, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkey, Mauritania, Paraguay, Peru, Poland, Tunisia, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, Uruguay, Venezuela, Vetican/Holy See, Vietnam and Western Sahara Republic.

Visitors from the following countries will need to apply for a visa upon arrival in Namibia as per the new visa regulations that will take effect as from 1 April 2025:

Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Moldova, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United States of America, Uzbekistan.

NB: The above information is valid until 31 March 2025. New visa regulations will be in effect as from 1 April 2025, and updates will be done accordingly.

It is recommended that travellers planning on visiting Namibia always confirm whether or not a VISA is required. This is because the above lists may change from time to time.

Holidaymakers and tourists are welcome to remain in the country for 90 days. Business visas are granted at the discretion of the immigration authorities. Travellers can obtain visas from the Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration Safety and Security, and Namibian missions abroad. Please note that a visa on arrival is only issued at Hosea Kutako International Airport, Walvis Bay International Airport, Walvis Bay Harbour, Trans-Kalahari border post, Impalila Island border post, Katima Mulilo border post, Oshikango border post, Mohembo border post, Ariamsvlei border post, Orangemund border post, Noordoewer border post and Ngoma border post for selected countries and it is meant for tourist purposes only. Any other traveller with a different entry purpose must submit their application with all relevant documentation to the appropriate office.

Visa Application and Validity:

Travelers can apply for a visa online on the following link https://eservices.mhaiss.gov.na. Visas are valid up to three months from the date of issue for stays of up to three months from entry. Extensions for a further three months are available from the Ministry of Home Affairs in Windhoek.

• Travelers to Namibia are not required to produce a negative SARS-CoV-2 PCR test result or proof of vaccination.
• Yellow Fever: For international travelers with a medical contraindication to the yellow fever vaccine, it is up to the discretion of the clinician to provide them with a medical waiver. Your clinician should complete and sign the “Medical “yellow card.” Yellow fever vaccine providers should validate medical exemptions to yellow fever vaccine using the Uniform Stamp of the yellow fever vaccination center. Clinicians should also provide the traveler with a signed and dated exemption letter on letterhead stationery, clearly stating the contraindications to vaccination (e.g., age, diagnosis of an immunocompromising condition, allergic reaction). The exemption letter should an imprint of the Uniform Stamp used by the yellow fever vaccination center to validate the ICVP. Note: Reasons other than medical contraindications are not acceptable for exemption from Yellow Fever vaccination. The same applies to any possible vaccinations. Your doctor should be able to advise you.
• Parents traveling to Namibia with minor children should be prepared to produce unabridged birth certificates for their children demonstrating their parental relationship. Birth certificates should be original or certified copies of the original. When one parent is traveling alone with a child, he or she should present the unabridged birth certificate, plus a notarized consent from the other parent listed on the birth certificate authorizing him or her to enter/depart from Namibia with the child. Alternatively, the parent could also present a court order granting him or her full legal custody of the child, or the death certificate of the other parent named on the birth certificate. 

Visa Requirements and Important Information

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Namibia has thousands of miles of unpaved roads. Road accidents, particularly on gravel roads, pose the most serious threat to visitors. Many gravel roads are well-maintained and can provide unaccustomed drivers a false sense of security, with road conditions shifting dramatically in certain areas. See recommendations below on road safety in Namibia.

While Namibia is generally considered a safe travel destination, crimes do occur and tourists should always exercise caution. Non-violent crimes of opportunity are the most common incidents reported by foreigners and include pick pocketing, purse snatching, ATM card skimming, and vehicle thefts and break-ins. Criminals sometimes brandish knives and guns. Violent crimes, including murder and rape, and property crimes increased in Windhoek over the last year. Robberies occur at roadside rest stops.

• Dress conservatively.
• Avoid walking alone, especially after dark, and displaying cash and valuable personal property.
• Make sure your hotel room or residence is well secured, including windows.
• Keep your credit card in your sight at all times while it is being processed. Consider using prepaid credit cards with limited funds when traveling.
• Take rest breaks in towns and/or at gasoline stations

Transport Crimes

Violent assaults on taxi passengers are known to occur; petty theft is prevalent and occurs on trains, buses, and in taxis.

• Be aware of criminals using remote key fobs to unlock vehicle doors in parking lots.
• Drive with doors locked and windows closed.
• Keep valuables out of sight and do not use cell phones or laptops while stopped in traffic; bandits may use smash-and-grab tactics to steal valuables.
• Hire taxis through a hotel or retain the services of a reputable private transport company.

Checkpoints

The police maintain checkpoints approximately 9 miles (15 km) outside of main cities and all major highways. During the holiday season, additional checkpoints may be established along the Windhoek-Swakopmund highway (B1).

• Remain inside your vehicle with doors locked and open the window slightly to communicate.
• Be prepared to produce vehicle registration documents, personal identification (passport, Namibian identification cards), car rental contracts, and/or drivers’ licenses.
• Proceed only when waved through.

Victims of Crime

U.S. citizen victims of sexual assault are encouraged to contact the U.S. Embassy for assistance. Report crimes to the local police at 112 and contact the U.S. Embassy at + (264) (61) 295-8522.

Tourist Protection Units (TPUs) assist tourists victimized by crime in Windhoek and Swakopmund.

Please contact:

• Tourist Protection Unit – Windhoek (Windhoek Main Police Station) at + (264) (61) 209-4345 or + (264) (81) 615-4401.
• Tourist Protection Unit – Swakopmund at + (264) (64) 415-060.
• The Motor Vehicle Accident Fund at 081 9682 can help with ambulances, police, and rescue services. Local authorities are responsible for investigating and prosecuting crime.

Travellers to Namibia can travel with mobile equipment and access the GSM network at all towns and on most portions of the national highway. International roaming agreements are in place with 146 countries through 334 network partners.

Most accommodation establishments in Namibia offer Wi-Fi to their guests. For self-drive travellers who plan to travel into remote areas, it is recommended that they rent a satellite phone. When dialling internationally from Namibia via mobile devices, a + followed by the relevant country code, area code and number is dialled. For example, when dialling internationally to Namibia, the country code is 264, followed by the area code and number.

MTC and TN Mobile are Namibia's leading cell phone operators. Travellers can purchase a starter pack and data if they want to communicate with other Namibian cell phones. Additional data can be bought easily across Namibia.