Capital City
Windhoek
Languages
English – plus German, Afrikaans and various indigenous languages.
Climate
Coastal areas cool, rain-free mostly, with fog and day temperatures of 15-25C.
Winter day temperatures in interior 18-25C, frost and minus-zero temperatures common at night.
Summer average interior temperatures 20-34C, sometimes above 40C in the north.
Low humidity in most parts, but can be as high as 80% in extreme north during summer.
Rainy season from October – April. Rainfall varies from under 50mm at coast to 350mm in central interior and 700mm in Caprivi.
Pack both warm and cold weather clothing.
Time Zone
Summer: GMT+2 hours from the 1st Sunday in September to the 1st Sunday in April.
Winter: GMT+1 hour from the 1st Sunday in April to the 1st Sunday in September.
Money & Cards
Currency is Namibian Dollar, or South African Rand (linked 1:1).
American Express, Diners Club, MasterCard, Visa, Maestro and European Community credit/debit cards accepted – for others, check with your bank.
Advisable to take travellers cheques in US dollars or South African rands.
Telecommunications
International Dialling Code: +264 plus local area code.
Good telecommunications network.
Cellphone Operator: MTC – has international roaming agreements with many countries.
Cellphone coverage limited to urban areas.
Cellphones can be rented, prepaid cellphone cards can be bought.
Internet
Internet cafes throughout the country – most hotels & lodges have internet facilities.
Postal Services
Good postal service – airmail to Europe takes between 4 days & 2 weeks.
Excellent private courier services also available.
Electricity
220 volts AC, 50hz – plug outlets are of the round three-pin type.
Airlines
National airline is Air Namibia.
British Airways, South African Airways, Condor and TAAG fly to Namibia.
Most international airlines fly to neighbouring South Africa with good connecting flights to Namibia.
Smaller air charter companies operate in Namibia.
Airports
Main airport is Hosea Kutako International Airport 40km (25 miles) from Windhoek.
Other airports at Eros (Windhoek), Katima Mulilo, Rundu, Ondangwa, Walvis Bay, Luderitz, Keetmanshoop & 16 licensed air strips.
Transport available between airport and city.
Taxes
15% VAT payable on goods and services.
No airport departure taxes payable.
Bona fide tourists to Namibia are exempt from paying sales duty or excise duty on luxury items. Visitors may reclaim VAT at Hosea Kutako International Airport, Eros Airport and Walvis Bay Airport.
Entry requirements
Foreign visitors need passports valid for at least 6 months after date of entry.
Visas required for most visitors – check with embassies for exemptions.
Tourist visas from Namibian Ministry of Home Affairs and Namibian embassies abroad.
Entry fees payable when entering from neighbouring countries.
Health & Medical
Yellow fever vaccinations for people coming from affected countries.
Malaria vaccinations for people going to affected places in Namibia.
Inoculations regulations can change at short notice – please check with embassies.
The country has good private and public medical and health facilities.
Driving & Local Transport
Driving on left hand side of roads – speed limits apply – valid international driver's license required.
Various car rental companies at airports and in major cities.
Regular transport services in Windhoek.
Tourism Board registered shuttle operators recommended for tourists.
Several trains from South Africa including luxury tourist trains.
Excellent tarred major road network, with gravel and sand roads in rural areas.
Safety
Namibia is politically stable and considered safe.
Crime occurs mostly in urban areas.
Do not travel unprepared or alone off main routes into isolated rural or wilderness areas.
Useful Contacts
Namibia Tourism Board Tel +264 61 290 6000 | Fax +264 61 254 848 | info@namibiatourism.com.na
Bank of Namibia Tel +264 61 283 5111 | Fax +264 61 283 5067
First National Bank of Namibia Tel +264 61 299 2920 | Fax +264 61 299 2930
Standard Bank Namibia Tel +264 61 294 2126 | Fax +264 61 294 2583
Windhoek Police Tel +264 61 10111
Windhoek Ambulance & Fire Brigade Tel +264 62 21 1111
Air Namibia Tel +264 61 299 6000 | Web: www.airnamibia.com.na
TransNamib Rail Tel +264 61 298 2032/2175 | Fax +264 61 298 2405
Avis Car Hire Windhoek Tel +264 61 233 166
Budget Car Rental Windhoek Tel +264 61 228 720
Sossusvlei Lodge is situated in Southern Namibia amidst the Namib Desert - at the entrance gate to the famous Sossusvlei and Sesriem Canyon in the Namib Nauklauft Park.
Sesriem is situated at the intersection of the C27 road from Helmeringhausen and the D826 which brings traffic in from Solitaire in the north and Maltahöhe in the south when it joins with the C19.
GPS Coordinates: S 24°29' 12.1" E 15°48' 15.0"
You can expect hot, wet summers and cooler, dry winters in Namibia. Generally the days can be quite hot and the evenings and early mornings can be remarkably cool.
Comfortable, lightweight clothing (cotton fabrics) for the daytime and a sweater or jacket for early mornings and evenings. Some neutral colour clothing is best if you will be undertaking game drives / excursions on your trip.
Comfortable walking shoes and sandals.
Protection against the sun - sunblock, hat, sunglasses, lip balm and moisturising lotion.
Flashlight, binoculars and a good camera with extra film or memory card.
For electrical small appliances or chargers a conversion plug to a three-pin type outlet.
Swimsuit as most lodges and hotels have swimming pools.
Insect repellent, rehydrating solutions or concentrates, diarrhoea medication, malaria prophylaxis (if travelling in malaria areas), bandages, etc.
Traveller's cheques in US dollars or South African Rands. American Express, MasterCard, DinersClub, Visa, Maestro cards are widely accepted. Some cash to buy souvenirs from street markets.
Passport (valid for at least 6 months after date of entry) and Visa's if required.
Please note effective from 1 June 2015 unabridged birth certificates for minors is compulsory for travelling through South African ports of entry/exit (Revised November 2019).
Sossusvlei and Deadvlei Excursion
Sundowner Drive
† Seasonal or on request
Namibia is still considered a low risk country for COVID 19 and our wide-open spaces, warm sunny weather, fresh air, and remote lodges makes it the ideal holiday destination. Our main priority is the safety of our guests and staff and would like to ensure you that we shall adopt the necessary (reasonable and factual) measures to keep everyone as safe as possible. We wish to maintain the authenticity and magical atmosphere of Africa within our beautiful lodges and aim to provide a careful balance between traditional warm-hearted hospitality and personal safety.
Meal rates for children:
0-4 Years – no cost
5-11 Years – 50% of meal rate
12 Years plus – full meal rates
Rates for activities at Sossusvlei Lodge Adventure Centre
Please consult the activities page of the Sossusvlei Lodge Adventure Centre for the rates applicable.
High & Low Season
High tourism season in the area encompasses the more temperate Winter months from July to November. Low season extends from December to June with the exception of December 24th, 25th and 31st which are considered as High season.
Accounts
Accounts are payable in cash or by credit card on presentation. Management regrets that personal cheques will not be accepted unless by prior approved arrangement. All accommodation must be paid for in advance. The remainder of the account must be settled prior to departure.
IMPORTANT INFORMATON FOR GUESTS
TIPS & GRATUITIES
If you are satisfisfied with the service and you wish to tip our staff, please do so at reception and ensure that you obtain a receipt.
PLEASE READ THESE TERMS & CONDITIONS CAREFULLY BEFORE USING THE CENTRAL RESERVATIONS ONLINE RESERVATION FACILITY.
Quoted rates may change without prior notice should government taxes, fuel prices and other fees increase drastically and unexpectedly. Please confirm all rates.
o All quoted rates are in Namibian Dollars and are inclusive of 15% VAT.
o Rates, where stated, are nett and are non-commissionable.
o Rates are quoted per room per night.
o Tariffs quoted are subject to change without prior notice.
o Private reservations will only be regarded as "confirmed" once the stipulated deposit has been received.
o Taleni Africa reserves the right to release a reservation if the due deposit is not received in full by the stipulated deposit due date.
o Full settlement of accommodation reservations must be made 30 days prior to arrival.
Any cancellations for whatever reason within 30 days prior to arrival will incur penalties:
30 – 23 days prior = 10%
22 – 15 Days prior = 35%
14 – 7 Days prior = 50%
6 – 1 Days prior = 90%
No Show = 100%
The following child policy applies:
At Sossusvlei Lodge max 1 child (under 12 years) and/or 1 infant can share the room with two paying adults. The child is accommodated in a standard or single bed. Infants are accommodated in a standard Baby Cot (subject to availability).
Meal rates at Sossusvlei Lodge for children:
0-4 Years – no cost
5-11 Years – 50% of meal rate
12 Years plus – full meal rates
Times
Check-in time: 14:00 (2 PM) and Check-out time: 10:00 (10 AM).
For times other than these please advise at the time of booking. While we do our utmost to accommodate early arrivals we can not guarantee immediate check-in. Late departures are strictly on prior arrangement with the Lodge and subject to availability of rooms.
Tour Operators
The terms and conditions of the current annual contractual Tariff Agreement between Taleni Africa and the operator apply. Companies and operators making reservations without a signed Tariff Agreement with Taleni Africa are still bound by the full terms and conditions of the standard Tariff Agreement and automatically assume the highest rate category.
