Located in the north-east of Namibia, on the border with Angola, Rundu stretches along the majestic Okavango River. Greener than the rest of the country, the region offers a striking contrast with the desert landscapes of central and southern Namibia. The river shapes local life: fishermen’s canoes, water birds, and spectacular sunsets create the scenery.
A lively and authentic town, Rundu is renowned for its woodcraft, inherited from the Kavango communities. The markets and workshops allow visitors to discover a traditional craftsmanship that is still very much alive ideal for a cultural immersion.
Rundu marks the beginning or the end, depending on your itinerary of the legendary Caprivi Strip (now the Zambezi Region). It serves as a gateway to the vast wilderness areas and national parks of the north-east, including Bwabwata National Park and Mahango Game Reserve.
Long and thin appendage in northeastern Namibia, the Caprivi (or the Caprivi Strip) is unlike any other region in Namibia. It enjoys a tropical climate with the warmest winters and heavy rainfall all over the country.
Most land is placed in some form of environmental protection. The variety of local ecosystems - river basins, flood plains, forests, mopane savannah and acacias - promotes an intense wild life ... for the rest of Namibia, the water resources of Caprivi (Zambezi and Kwando are two perennial rivers) are an extraordinary luxury ...
Advices:
- It is possible to reach the area by road either from northern Namibia (via Rundu) or through Boswana (Chobe to the east or Sakawe to the northwestern Okavango Delta)
- The area is flat: one-third of Eastern Caprivi is likely to be flooded in the rainy season! It is therefore necessary to take tgis fact into acount when traveling in Caprivi
- Most travelers just pass through this Caprivi Strip to reach Victoria Falls from Namibia - or vice versa ... however, the area is home to unsuspected treasures that deserve some of the usual sightseeing tours (Bwabwata, Mamili, Mudumu) ...
The Great Namibia
Namibia, what else could we ask for? Almost permanent sunshine, great variety of landscapes with wild beauty, national parks rich in fauna and flora. In the West, the Namib desert, the oldest on the planet, the world highest dunes. In the South, the Fish River Canyon, the biggest after the Colorado. In the North, the largest national park in Africa: Etosha. A captivating country with extraordinary natural riches, Namibia deserves its nickname "Jewel of Africa".
When to go?
Subtropical and dry with warm days and cool nights. During the southern summer (from November to March), temperatures vary from 16 to 34°C and in desert areas they can reach 40 to 45°C. In winter (from June to August), they range from 4 to 22℃ and sometimes fall below 0℃ on the relief or in the desert.
The best season to go to Namibia is during the first weeks of November and April. Its not the peak season and the conditions of visit are good. If the high season (May to October) wins the prize of the best climate. Its not necessarily the best because tourists are the most numerous. The rainy season should be avoided if there are plans to explore national parks.
Formalities
The passport must include two blank pages and still be valid for 6 months after the expected date of exit from Namibia. The visa is not compulsory for French nationals. Holders of a French passport are granted tourist visa permits for a maximum of 90 days, which are issued free of charge upon arrival, in particular for immigration checks at Windhoek airport.
For any minor child: a multilingual extract of birth certificate (or an unabridged birth certificate translated into English - certified translation) is required to enter and leave Namibia (in the case of a child traveling with his 2 parents). Please consult the official sites for more information about all the requested documents according to your case.
Health
No vaccination is required for entry into Namibia.
Anti-malarial treatment is recommended (see your doctor). However, it is advisable to check the updating of your usual reminders and vaccinations as for any trip.
Currency
The currency in Namibia is the Namibian dollar (NAD).
Bank cards and traveller’s checks are widely accepted in Namibia, except for the purchase of gasoline especially inside the parks. Major credit cards are accepted in most shops, restaurants and hotels.
Banks and foreign exchange offices make the exchange of your currencies
For your payments, do not hesitate to use the South African rand.
SOUTH AFRICA NAMIBIA BOTSWANA ZIMBABWE ZAMBIA KENYA TANZANIA MOZAMBIQUE MAURITIUS REUNION
