Air Namibia, the national airline of Namibia and other Namibia Transportation Tips

'Mode': TO,AROUND
Category: Airplane
Getting TO/AROUND: Air Namibia is the national airline of Namibia. For flights within Namibia, it's really the only choice. And, it's one of only two choices for non-stop travel to Namibia from Europe (Germany). (The other is LTU International)

Air Namibia flies a huge B747-400 combi on its flights from Germany to Windhoek, operating twice a week. The service is truly outstanding, and reflects the tourist-friendly attitude of Namibia as a whole. The food is above-average, and the airline prides itself on offering a bit more legspace in coach than usual. THIS IS NOT A TYPICAL AFRICAN NATIONAL AIRLINE. Their service and safety record is good, as is their pilot and attendant training.

We flew Air Namibia to Windhoek from Germany, and highly recommend it. It can be tough to make reservations on the 'net in the US or Canada for Air Namibia. I'd suggest dealing with www.ebookers.com. Their service is excellent.

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Website: www.airnamibia.com.na
Other Contact: www.ebookers.com (for tickets)

'Mode': TO
Category: Airplane
Getting TO/AROUND: There are only two airlines offering NON-STOP service to Namibia from Europe. They are Air Namibia and LTU International. At the present time, both fly out of Germany.

The LTU flights occur twice a week, with the actual day(s) varying by season. (Check the website below) LTU uses a modern fleet of Airbus jumbo jets for the ten-hour flight to Hosea Kutako airport in Windhoek. The LTU flights depart from and return to Franz Josef Strauss airport in Munich.

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Website: www.ltu.com

'Mode': TO
Category: Airplane
Getting TO/AROUND: Namibia is not an easy place to access from the US or Canada. There are no non-stop flights, and most "direct" flights involve going to South Africa, and then on to Windhoek, via South African Airlines. These flights tend to be very pricey.

My advice? Book separate flights, travelling through Europe. (Germany) Be sure to schedule a day or two in between your flight to Europe and the continuing trip to Africa. For flights on to Namibia from Europe, LTU International and Air Namibia offer non-stop service. (I've flown both, they're quite good). And, from almost anywhere in Europe, you can get a decent fair to Windhoek, connecting through J'burg in South Africa. I know that British Airways, South African Airways and Lufthansa all have these connecting flights.

How much will you save? Here's what it meant for us to split the trip...

My fare quote from Atlanta, Georgia to Windhoek, Namibia, via SAA....$2800 US.

Splitting up the fares....We flew from Fort Myers, Florida to Germany for $500, and then two days later, we flew from Germany to Namibia for $900. That's half price, folks. And, since I bought 3 tickets, I saved $4200. That's not insignificant in my book. And, it more than takes care of the slight additional expense of spending a few nice days in Europe going and coming.

One last advantage. ......you get to skip that 15 hour ride from the US to South Africa, splitting it up into more manageable flights.

If you have trouble finding help getting decent fares (in the US) for the Europe-Africa flights, I suggest that you contact www.ebookers.com. They are a European online travel agency. They gave us excellent service.

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Website: www.ebookers.com

'Mode': AROUND
Category: Car/Motor Home
Getting TO/AROUND: If part of the reason you're going to Namibia includes viewing and photographing game, then you really do need to have a vehicle with some sort of "pop top". The only way to get real 360 access to everything that happens around you will be to pop up through the roof. Working around windows will result in many, many missed photo opportunities.

And, I'd suggest 4WD if you're really going out in the wild.

We actually traveled with a guide, who brought her own company vehicle. But, such vehicles are available for hire, and are best obtained in Windhoek. For this type of vehicle, book early.

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'Mode': AROUND
Category: Other
Getting TO/AROUND: It's not really an effective way to travel long distances, but if you'd like to share a little time with the locals in Damaraland, you can take a ride in one of their (so-called) "Kalahari Ferraris". Generally, these desert roadsters are made from discarded car axels, and are powered by one or two donkeys.

It's not luxury travel, but when in Namibia, it's a way to get somewhere when the battery in your car dies, or you run out of gas.

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Other Contact: Friendly Damaras in Ferraris!