Namibia
Business meetings are generally formal and suits should be worn in winter, safari suits in summer. Namibia has a well-established and professional business community. Western customs prevail and normal courtesies should be shown. Prior appointments are necessary. English is widely spoken in business circles. Office hours are 0800-1700 Monday to Friday.
Incidents of violent crime directed against visitors to Namibia are rare, but petty crime is on the increase, particularly in urban areas. The most common criminal offenses committed in Windhoek are non-violent crimes of opportunity including pick-pocketing, purse snatching, vehicle theft, and vehicle break-ins. Commonsense measures such as not leaving valuables unattended in plain sight in parked cars, safeguarding purses, keeping wallets in front pockets, and being alert to one’s surroundings are the best deterrents against becoming a victim of criminal activity. Avoid using taxis if possible, and never enter one on your own. Do not enter townships at night unless accompanied by someone with local knowledge. If possible, secure your passport and other valuable documents in a hotel safe. Carry separately a copy of valuable documents, for example passports and driving licenses. Exercise extra caution when traveling near the Angolan border, where banditry is a problem. Visitors should avoid purchasing diamonds and other protected resources outside of licensed retail establishments.
The police in Windhoek are poorly trained and poorly paid. An immediate response to criminal activity is not guaranteed. After an incident police might be called and not only might they not respond in a timely manner, they may not respond at all. There have been reports of both.
Visitors to the business centers of Windhoek and Walvis Bay/Swakopmund will find modern, well-equipped hotels with telephone and fax facilities. Secondary business centers all have adequate facilities. The main business hotels in Windhoek (The Safari Court Hotel and the Windhoek Country Club and Safari Hotel in Windhoek) and the Mokuti Lodge (at Etosha) all provide modern conference facilities.
In Swakopmund the better hotels are the Swakopmund Hotel and Leisure Center, the Hansa Hotel. The Canyon Hotel is a good choice in Keetmanshoop.
Telephone IDD service is available in Namibia. The country code is 264 and the outgoing international code is 09. Most hotels have fax facilities. Good telex facilities are in all major centers.
Electricity is a 220/240 volts AC. Outlets are of the 3-pin type.
220 volts AC, 50hz. Outlets are of the three-pin type.
D,M
Restaurants and cafes reflect the German influence on Namibia, and most dining rooms offer a reasonable choice of local and continental cuisine. National specialties:
• Biltong (air-dried meat).
• Rauchfleisch (smoked meat).
• Asparagus.
• Kalahari truffle.
• Seafood, especially oysters.National drinks:
• Tafel lager.
• Windhoek lager.Tipping
: 10 per cent is customary.Nightlife
In the central area of Windhoek, there are restaurants, cafes, a cinema and a theater.
