Crossing Borders

Knowledge is everything! With Knowledge comes planning!

It is important for any traveler to gain as much knowledge when travelling to a foreign country.

It is the responsibility of every client/traveller to find out EXACTLY what each border crossing requires. Autovermietung Savanna will not be held liable or responsible for any missing documents or reflectors etc!

Short Summary of Namibia:

The Republic of Namibia is a country in southern Africa whose western border is the Atlantic Ocean. We share land borders with Zambia and Angola to the north, Botswana to the east and South Africa to the south and east. Although Namibia does not border Zimbabwe, less than 200 metres of the Zambzi River (essentially a small bulge in Botswana to achieve a Botswana/Zambia micro-border) separates us from them at their closest points. It gained independence from South Africa on 21 March 1990. Our capital and largest city is Windhoek (roughly 45min drive from the International Airport).

At 825,615 km2 (318,772 sq mi),[27] Namibia is the world's thirty-fourth largest country (after Venezuela). It lies mostly between latitudes17° and 29°S (a small area is north of 17°), and longitudes 11° and 26°E.

Money & Spending

Namibia's national currency, pegged to the South African Rand, is the Namibian Dollar but travellers who have combined South Africa with Namibia can use either currency in shops, lodges, markets and restaurants throughout the country. Note however that the Namibian Dollar is not accepted in South Africa.

Visa and Mastercard credit cards are generally accepted throughout Namibia though holders of other credit cards are advised to check whether their card is acceptable. Self-drivers should note that credit cards are not accepted at petrol stations.

Banking hours: 9am to 3:30pm Monday to Friday and 8am to 11am on Saturday.

Tipping

Tipping for good service is only expected in upmarket tourist establishments but is officially prohibited in national parks and reserves. A service charge is included in many restaurant bills – if not, and the service was satisfactory, a tip of 10% is standard.

Climate

Average summer temperatures: 15°C to 40°C
Average winter temperatures: 0°C to 23°C
Rainy season: October/November to April

What to Pack

Temperatures in Namibia vary depending on the region and season but in general days are hot and nights can be unexpectedly chilly, so layering clothing is your best bet on a Namibia safari. Opt for cool, cotton fabrics in neutral colours for the daytime and a fleece or jacket for morning and evening game drives. Comfortable walking shoes or hiking boots are a must.

Most importantly is to remember your hat and sunscreen.

Visa & Passport Requirements

Every visitor to Namibia must be in possession of a passport that is valid until six months after the initial date of travel; however no visas are required for citizens of the USA, UK, most European countries (including France, Germany, Italy, Austria, Belgium, Spain and Switzerland), Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Malaysia, Japan and Singapore. Travellers receive entry for 90 days and visas for onward travel can be obtained in Windhoek.

For visitors from other countries, please check with your nearest Namibian Consulate about obtaining a visa.

Botswana

Money & Spending

The national currency of Botswana is the Pula - a regionally strong currency - but the US dollar is widely accepted at lodges and hotels throughout the country. Major hotels have foreign exchange desks and most shops, lodges and travel agencies will accept traveller's cheques. All major credit cards are accepted at hotels, lodges, shops and restaurants. However, some establishments do not accept payment by Diners or American Express.

Full banking services are only available in Botswana’s major towns, but ATMs are becoming increasingly more common.

Banking hours: 8:30am to 3:30pm Monday to Friday and 8:30am to 11am on Saturday.

Tipping

Provided the service is good, it is customary to tip lodge staff and guides in either Pula or any hard currency on your Botswana safari. The amount that you tip varies depending on the staff member’s role and the size of your group. In city restaurants and bars, a 10% tip is customary when the service charge is not included. For in-depth tipping guidelines, enquire with one of our Africa Safari Experts - they'd be happy to share their knowledge with you.

Climate

Average summer temperatures: 18°C to 38°C
Average winter temperatures: 6°C to 27°C
Rainy season: October/November to March/April

What to Pack

When packing for a Botswana safari, practicality is key. In the summer months, daytime temperatures can exceed 40°C, so shorts and t-shirts are best, with a longer shirt for protection against the sun if you burn easily. Choose clothing in neutral colours (try to avoid white) and wear lightweight long-sleeved clothing at night and in the early mornings to protect against mosquitoes.

During the cooler months it is best to layer up as the days are still warm and sunny but the night time temperatures can drop close to freezing point. Be sure to pack a thick fleece or jacket for early morning and evening game drives, which can be very cold.

COST OF CROSSING BOTSWANA BORDER POSTS (Subject to change)

P50 for a single entry and P90 for a return trip
P20 for road fund tax (disc must be displayed, valid for one year)
P20 per trailer and P50 for third-party insurance

Budget for about P180 for a return trip across one of Botswana's border posts.

TRAVEL DOCUMENTS

Driver's license:

Normal and international driver’s licenses are accepted.

Vehicle registration documents:

You will need permission (LOA) from the rental company to take the vehicle across a Botswanan border post. Both this letter and the registration documents ..

Clearance certificate:

You need a temporary import permit (TIP) to bring a vehicle into Botswana. You can buy this at the Botswana border post.

Indication of origin:

Your vehicle must have a NAM sticker, which designates that this is foreign vehicle which is registered in Namibia.

Visa & Passport Requirements

Every visitor to Botswana must be in possession of a passport that is valid until six months after the initial date of travel; however, no visas are required by citizens of EU countries, most Commonwealth countries, the USA, South Africa, Switzerland, Israel and Norway.

Upon arrival you will receive a 30-day entrance stamp and, for those who plan on travelling onwards to Botswana’s neighbouring countries, visas for Namibia, South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe can be obtained in Gaborone.

Fun Fact:

Botswana has a White Number Plate infront and a Yellow Number Plate at the back. This makes it easier to see whether the vehicle is travelling towards you or away from you!