In June 2024, Namibia’s High Court decriminalised consensual same-sex activity. There is no recognition of same-sex marriage, and social attitudes vary—cities and lodges serving international travellers feel easier; rural areas are conservative. We travel with discretion, avoid public displays of affection where they may attract attention, and use vetted, welcoming suppliers. Your Tour Leader will brief the group so the experience stays joyful and relaxed.
Overview
- Capital: Windhoek. Major gateway: Hosea Kutako International (WDH); regional Walvis Bay (WVB) and Eros (ERS) for domestic hops.
- Language: English (official); Afrikaans, Oshiwambo and others widely spoken.
- Currency: Namibian Dollar (NAD); cards accepted in cities, ATMs in towns.
- VAT: Standard 15%. Tourist VAT refunds may be available for eligible retail purchases (threshold applies) at the Windhoek airport refund desk—keep original tax invoices and allow time.
- Power: 230V / 50Hz; plugs Type D & Type M—bring a universal adaptor/power bank.
- Water: Tap water is generally safe in Windhoek/major towns; bottled preferred in remote areas.
- Driving: Left-hand; distances are long and many roads are gravel—use professional drivers; night driving not advised due to wildlife.
- Time: UTC+2 year-round (no DST
- Health: No mandatory vaccines for most travellers. Yellow Fever certificate required if arriving from/through a risk area. Malaria risk exists in the north/northeast (seasonal)—consult your clinic.
Airfare
International flights
- Not included unless specifically stated.
- We’ll confirm your arrival/departure airport(s) (typically WDH). If your itinerary ends elsewhere (e.g., Walvis Bay), consider an open-jaw ticket or add a domestic hop.
- Please wait for our written tour confirmation before booking personal international flights.
- Typical booking windows: best economy pricing ~3–5 months out; business class ~5–8 months.
- Check baggage rules carefully—some regional fares are hand-luggage only unless you add a bag.
- Want us to handle it? We can book and ticket your international flights (service fee applies), align schedules to the land itinerary, share fare options, and assist with airline timing changes.
Domestic / regional flights (within your itinerary)
- Where used, they’re usually included (unless otherwise stated) and ticketed in economy.
- Allowances follow the operating carrier; details appear on your final docs.
- These fares are subject to change until ticketed due to airport/government taxes and exchange-rate movements; any increases/refunds will be communicated promptly.
Good to know: Names must exactly match passports; allow 3 hours for international and 90 minutes for domestic check-in.
Travel Insurance
Comprehensive travel insurance is mandatory—medical cover, trip cancellation/curtailment, lost property and any paid-for activities. Ensure your policy covers medical evacuation and any optional adventures (e.g., scenic flights, dune activities).
Tour Leader
Afrigay trips are hosted by Mike or a trusted Tour Leader, with licensed local specialist guides in each region (Sossusvlei, Swakopmund, Damaraland, Etosha). Your leader manages logistics, check-ins, safety briefings, day pacing and the thoughtful touches that make a trip feel special.
Travelling Alone
Solo travellers are very welcome. You can:
- Room solo (single supplement applies), or
- Opt to share—we’ll try to pair you with a traveller of similar profile to avoid the supplement. If we can’t match you, we’ll offer the best single rate available.
Meals
Inclusions vary by itinerary and are shown on the What’s included tab. We aim to include a Welcome Dinner and a Farewell Dinner so the group connects at the start and celebrates at the end. Not all meals are included—we leave space to explore local spots. We happily cater for vegan/vegetarian, gluten-free and other needs—please advise in advance.
Optional Activities
Only the activities listed as Included on your trip page are part of your package. Anything else is optional and not included.
If you’d like extras, we can arrange them at additional cost—before travel or on tour—subject to availability, season, weather and any minimum numbers. Optional add-ons are usually paid direct to suppliers; if we pre-book, they’ll appear on your invoice. Your insurance must cover any optional activity you choose.
Tipping Protocol
Tipping is customary in tourism but at your discretion. USD figures use N$19 ≈ US$1 as a simple guide (check live rates).
- Restaurants/Bars: 10–12% if service isn’t included.
- Taxis/e-hailing: round up.
- Hotel porters: N$20–N$30 per bag (~US$1–$2).
- Housekeeping: N$20–N$50 per room per night (~US$1–$3).
- Local guide/driver (day touring): N$100–N$250 p.p. per day (~US$5–$13).
- Tour Leader (multi-day Afrigay host): US$5–$10 p.p. per day—aligned with common global norms.
What to Bring
- Passport & copies, visas (if required), insurance details.
- Bank cards and a little cash for remote areas/tips.
- Adaptors (Type D/M), power bank, unlocked phone for eSIM/SIM.
- Sun-smart layers: wide-brim hat, high-SPF, sunglasses; light jacket (desert nights can be cool).
- Comfortable closed shoes for gravel/sand; reusable water bottle; lip balm/moisturiser (dry air).
- Personal meds and a small first-aid kit; discuss malaria prophylaxis with your clinic if visiting the north.
LGBTQ+ Information
We currently don't have this information available.
Additional Information
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Rights Reserved
We may make reasonable changes to the itinerary, accommodation, transport or sequencing when required by weather, safety, governmental advice, availability or operational factors. Equivalent or higher-quality services will be substituted where possible. Afrigay Travel and partners operate within Namibian law and industry standards (and applicable international standards); participation implies acceptance of our full Terms & Conditions issued at booking.