Climate:
The climate varies from arid in the west,
through to semi-arid and sub-humid in the central and north-eastern
regions. There are frequent prolonged periods of drought. Rainfall is
largely confined to the summer months (November to March). Due to the
nutrient-rich Benguela Current that flows up from Antarctic waters and
is the source of Namibia's fishing
industry. The country's coastline is
cooler than the rest of the country, with frequent sea fog. Namibia is
well known for its diversity of plants and wildlife.
Winter (May to September). Dry
Season. Inland temperatures can range in the day from 18c to 25c and
fall below zero at night. Be sure to pack some warm clothing
Summer (October to April). Sporadic Rainy Season
December to March. Day time temperatures from 20c to 35c,
but during hot spells can reach over 40c. Coastal temperatures are much
cooler ranging from 15c to 25c. Pack warm and cool weather clothing.
Humidity: Namibia is mainly desert and generally
the humidity levels are low. However, during and following summer rains
it can reach 80% in those areas having experienced rains.
Rains: The coastal towns usually experience less
that 50mm ( 2 ins )in a year. The central to northern areas 350 - 700mm
( 14 - 28 ins)
Temperature Conversion Table
| Cel |
0 |
5 |
10 |
15 |
20 |
25 |
30 |
35 |
40 |
45 |
50 |
55 |
| Fah |
32 |
41 |
50 |
59 |
68 |
77 |
86 |
95 |
104 |
113 |
122 |
131 |
Communications:
The international dialling code for Namibia is +264
When making
international calls from Namibia the prefix before dialling the foreign
country code is 00
Most areas of Namibia are networked to automatic telephone exchanges.
Telephone charge rates are favourable when compared to most African
countries and the service is good.
Cellular phone coverage in Namibia is provided by "Mobile
Telecommunications Ltd." Referred to locally as MTC. All major towns in
Namibia along with lengthy sections of the national highways are
covered. MTC currently have roaming agreements with over 50 countries.
Starter pack SIM card are inexpensive and available at
many outlets.
Conservation:
The Namibia Nature Foundation (NNF), established 12 years
ago, is Namibia's leading non-governmental environmental organisation.
The Foundation's primary aim is to promote the conservation and wise
utilization of natural resources in Namibia. It is a small, but dynamic
institution, governed by an independent Board of Trustees.
The Desert Research Foundation of Namibia (DRFN),
incorporating the Desert Ecological Research Unit (DERU), is dedicated
to cr4eating and furthering awareness and understanding of arid
environments and developing the capacity, skills and knowledge to manage
them. An independently funded non-governmental organization dedicated to
the sustainable use of Namibia's environment, the DRFN conducts and
facilitates appropriate, participatory and applied short term research
on the environment.
One of Namibia's longest-standing and most proactive
non-governmental Organization is the Save The Rhino Trust founded 19
years ago to protect the dwindling black rhino populations in the arid
western section of the Kunene Region from poachers and ultimate
extinction.
The conservation and future survival of Namibia's
free-roaming cats are the mission of three non-governmental
organizations, The Cheetah Conservation Fund (CCF), the Africat
Foundation and the Afri-Leo Foundation. These organizations work in
close-co-operation with the MET. The CCF focuses specifically on cheetah
conservation, working closely with commercial farmers, on whose land the
world's largest remaining free-ranging cheetahs (an estimated 2500) have
to co-exist with livestock
The objective of the Integrated Rural Development and
Nature Conservation (IRDNC) is to link conservation and sustainable use
of wildlife and other natural resources to the social and economic
development of rural communities in Namibia. As a community based agency
operation in the Kunene and Caprivi Regions, the IRDNC employs a
technical team of 47 and supports a further 130 community workers.
Providing relief to rescued animals that have been
injured, orphaned or in some way displaced is the Namibia Animal
Rehabilitation, Research and Education centre (NARREC), an organization
with facilities to accommodate a wide variety of bird species (the
greatest number of injured wild animals found are birds) especially
predatory birds, and provide hospitalization and rehabilitation to a
variety of small mammals.
(Extract from Namibia Holiday and Travel 2002)
Drinking Water:
Tap water is considered safe and potable in most areas of Namibia. Over
the past few years locally bottled mineral water has become quite
popular and a variety can be purchased in most supermarkets and supply shops.
