Real Namibia

“If you have come to Namibia in search of extreme adventure, you may wish to cancel all the activities you booked before you pay and spend a day riding in taxis.”

Most countries are proud of their public transport systems. They will tell you that their public transport is clean, friendly and always runs on time, even if there is a hurricane, flood or election. Namibians are terrified of their public transport system, taxis, and spend hours complaining about it.

There are two types of taxis in Namibia. The first is the expensive 'airport shuttle' or 'radio taxi' which is usually safe, has working seatbelts and air-conditioning that isn’t operated with the handle that opens the window. The second is the inexpensive taxi, identified by the broken, yellow taxi signs attached to the car with tape. They stop to collect passengers in the middle of intersections or just around blind corners. You can also get on when the driver stops to argue with a traffic policeman.

If you have come to Namibia in search of extreme adventure, you may wish to cancel all the activities you booked before you pay and spend a day riding in taxis. It will be cheaper than falling of a sand board in the Namib, is more dignified than nude bungy jumping and is slightly safer than getting too close to an enclosure where lions are fed.

If using a taxi, be advised that they ask for exact change, and do not accept Euros, US Dollars and definitely not Zimbabwean Dollars. The current rate for a trip to wherever the driver is going is N$6. To avoid disappointment, find out where the taxi is going. Most taxis go to ‘town’ so it is easier to catch a taxi going back rather than going somewhere else. Note that if you ask for an exact drop-off, the driver may charge extra. This amount will vary according to the driver’s mood and bank balance.

To avoid mugging, leave the Louis Vuitton luggage and expensive camera at the hotel. Taxi drivers are generally honest, but you will be sharing the taxi with up to six or seven other people, whom you don’t know.

It is rude to suggest that the driver stop talking to a passenger in the back seat, turn around and actually look at the road. Taxi drivers accumulate years of experience driving on specific roads. Responsibility for not causing accidents rests with other road users.

For more information carefully read the ‘Taxi Safety Guidelines’.

When driving, be extremely careful of taxis. Taxis have two controls: an accelerator and a brake. The accelerator is used for pulling into the road, and unexpectedly putting dents in your left fender. The brake is used for rapid stopping to collect passengers and unexpectedly crumpling the front end of your car. All other controls are entirely irrelevant. There is no truth in the rumour that taxi drivers earn commission from panel beaters and other vehicle repairers.

Expert Namibian drivers recommend placing ample breaking distance between yourself and a taxi. Figures range from a couple of hundred meters to a few kilometers or another town. In the event of driving at less than these distances Namibian drivers use the ‘third party taxi alert system’, commonly known as the ‘hooter’ or ‘horn’ in the rest of the world.

Although hooting may not prevent accidents it will probably help to relieve your stress. Use of interesting hand gestures or short but satisfying words is not recommended.