‘Yes-ja’ Welcome in Namibia
Namibia is a barren, dry country, like no other country in the world, yet so inviting and almost familiar and easy to travel around. Namibia is the photographer’s dream, a land of contrasts and clear colors. It is a country that many people have fallen in love with. If you are looking for peace, space and nature, if you enjoy grandiose landscapes, desert, and vastness, you will never let go of Namibia, which is one of the most sparsely populated countries on earth. Namibia is Africa at its best, with friendly, welcoming people, with endless savannahs and bushland, and with extraordinarily rich fauna, protected in the huge Etosha National Park and many other wildlife sanctuaries. Namibia is an adventure. Visitors set foot on Namibian soil at Hosea Kutako International Airport in Windhoek. The airport is around 45 kilometers from the city, as Windhoek is located in a narrow valley basin. The entry formalities are relatively simple for visitors from EU countries – for stays of up to 3 months. The visa will be issued upon arrival and stamped into the passport. It is only expected that the passport is valid for at least 6 months. Important! A home address must be given on the entry form! Please state “Guesthouse Tamboti”, we will stay here on the first and last day.
Before the Tour
Clothing
Please do not over pack! Please contact your airline for weight regulations, Air Namibia is particularly strict on the return flight. Since most tours take place in midsummer, ‘motocross clothes’ is recommended. Normal motorcycle clothing with protectors is also sufficient for all tours except the ‘Off-road Special’. I recommend enduro boots, if possible no road driver boots! Please also note that black leather outfits get very hot in summer. Optimal motocross clothing for the Off-Road Special Tour consists of: Motocross helmet, goggles, elbow protectors, motocross shirt and pants, knee protectors, good boots and gloves, enduro jacket or breastplate.
Other clothing: Not much is used, and there is always a quick wash option. Due to the high dryness and the temperatures, the garment is dry in 20 minutes.
· Jeans and T-shirts
· Underwear
· Solid shoes
· Flip-Flops
· Shorts and swimming trunks!
· Towel
· Warm jacket (from the cold Atlantic, a cool breeze can blow in the evening)
Personal items
From my many years of experience, the following things have really proven themselves:
Danger! Lots of sun – so sun lotion, sun hat/cap, sunglasses
Personal medication
flashlight
Daypack for photo/video and water bottles.
A hydration system (Camelback) is practical but not necessary. We make enough breaks (photo stop etc.) where you can use the water bottle.
Photo / video
Small binoculars
I request: Please do not use hard-shell suitcases, they are difficult to fit into the support vehicle and take up a lot of space.
In case you would like a big, comfortable, and freshly washed sleeping bag, please advise in advance!
Vaccinations
No proof of entry is required from Europe.
Insurance
It is strongly recommended that you take out international health and repatriation insurance, as well as travel cancellation insurance. You can pay this by bank transfer (bank details on request) or on-site in cash (euros).
Tours are carried out from 3 people, the maximum number of participants is 6 people.
All tours can also be accompanied by a rented 4×4 vehicle.
Special tours are possible for 4 people! Please contact me, I am at your disposal for individual
appointments!
Flights The flight is deliberately excluded from the tour price.
On the Tour
Left-hand traffic
In Namibia, we drive on the left side of the road! Always keep LEFT, especially after turning! The traffic rules are the same as in Europe. The four-way-stop crossings are a specialty. The rule here is not right-for-left, but whoever was first at the intersection drives first, followed by the next. If necessary, you can agree on the order with the other drivers at the intersection.
IMPORTANT:
Do not ride in the dust of another motorcycle! The distance between you and the rider in front of you should be up to 1 km. After a break, please wait a few minutes after the rider before you has started driving. Do not stop behind a hill to take photos or in the middle of the road – even when the slopes are deserted. Everyone can and should stop to take photos individually, there is no group pressure, the rear driver can drive past the photographer, so there are always beautiful photo motifs that can be exchanged in the evening or after the tour.
Motorcycles
I have KTM 690R and LC4, BMW F650 XChallenge, Yamaha XT660 available. If you need a motorcycle with a lower seat height, a Suzuki DR650 SE is available. For the off-road tours, we rely on light KTM 350 EXC and 690, as well as the robust Honda CRF 300L and Suzuki DRZ 400. Unfortunately, there is no tank bag as we want to keep the front wheel light. (-: As a trained aircraft mechanic on Jumbos and Airbus, I make sure that the motorcycles are and remain in good condition.
Support Vehicle
A Ford Ranger 4×4, or for larger groups the Mitsubishi 4×4 Truck / “Overlander Bus” transports luggage, refrigeration units, camping equipment, a replacement motorcycle, and spare parts. Battery charging stations are also available in the truck (if possible, charge them while driving!). Accompanying persons will find comfortable seats with large sliding windows and a pop-up roof for taking photos while driving.
Replacement Motorcycle
The support vehicle transports a replacement motorcycle, in case a machine breaks down, an immediate continuation of the journey is guaranteed.
Refueling
The motorcycles only take the “green” 95 unleaded petrol. One is still assisted here by a “Petroljokey” (gas station attendant). It is best for the participants to appoint a “treasurer” before the tour, who will manage the common petrol cash. When refueling, simply refuel one after the other and at the very end pay the total amount from the “petrol box”. If you refuel one at a time, you have to wait for change each time, which slows down the whole process. Payment is available in cash or mostly by card.
Petrol price: NAD 14.15 per Liter (Oct. 2021)