Real
Namibia |
Money
|
Money, and all the fun stuff you can do with it Major currencies such as Visa and Mastercard are happily accepted. American Express and Diners Card are uncommon. Money talks. Banks and lodges speak American Dollar and Euro. Everyone else speaks Namibian Dollar, or South African Rand, which is also accepted. The value of the Namibian Dollar is equal to the South African Rand. Unlike most of the rest of Africa, attempted bribery in Namibia is stupid. It can get you jailed and anyway, why try to bribe an official who is actually willing to help you with no thought of personal gain? Bring lots of money. Even if you don’t need it for survival purposes, you can have fun spending it all on the day before you leave. |
You should also
read
Getting around
The route
Offroad vehicles
Flat tyres
Namibian roads
Gravel roads
| E-mail your stories and suggestions>> By using any information on this site you state that you have actually read, understand and unreservedly agree to this caveat>> |
“In order to make the best use of money in Namibia, ensure that you have at least one of the major currencies such as Visa or Mastercard. Diners Club or American Express are not common.”
 |
| Open
in case of emergency |
Much has been written about how to make fire by rubbing two sticks together, how to gather water using plastic sheeting and how to stir fry slow moving insects and reptiles. However the one survival technique that is regularly and shamefully overlooked is money. In order to survive, you need to know about money and its uses.
Using money in the right place, at the right time is a guarantee of survival. In fact, just being known to have a large amount of money can go a long way towards ensuring your chances of survival.
There are three ways that money can be used as a survival technique. The first is to use it to ensure that you don’t get into trouble. The second is to use it to get yourself out of trouble. The third is to use it as kindling for a signal fire or cooking fire if you do get into trouble, however this does not work with plastic or coins.
The first thing on the packing list for any adventurous holiday should be money, and lots of it.
Before setting off, you should use money to ensure that you don’t get into trouble and that if you do get into trouble, someone will get you out of it.
In order not to get into trouble, you will want to book into good hotels and rent a good vehicle. This will cost you a fair sum, but think of it as insurance. If you are still unsure of your ability to use money to stay out of trouble, consider using it to acquire the services of a guide who knows the routes, cultures and pitfalls along the way.
In order to be certain that you can get out of trouble, you should also spend some on travel insurance and with a liberal emergency medical evacuation clause. Note that if you are not covered for emergency medical evacuation by an insurer and suddenly find that you need it, the cost of flights and equipment will be substantially higher.
If you have this, your ultimate security is a very expensive satellite phone service and a satellite handset with a GPS function. If you do get into trouble, you can call the necessary services, give them your GPS coordinates and expect them to arrive far faster than if they actually have to search for your location.
The second method of using money involves its use after the problem has occurred. In the event of a life threatening emergency, everyone moves a lot faster if you wave a wad of cash and groan, “There’s more of that if you get me to safety.’ Speed can be of the essence.
Money is also useful in embarrassing situations, such as running over a villager’s prize goat, having too many beers and damaging the restaurant or bar, or using your vehicle in a manner that damages it and / or other vehicles.
In really serious situations, it can be used to buy a lawyer. On the other hand, never, ever use money to attempt to buy a public servant such as a policeman or minor official. In Namibia, bribery is a serious exception to a well-maintained rule. You may well end up in prison, and if the official accepts the bribe he or she may end up as your cell mate. On the other hand, arresting someone for attempted bribery is good for any career in the public service. Think very, very carefully before trying anything silly involving cash in a passport.
In order to make the best use of money in Namibia, ensure that you have at least one of the major currencies such as Visa or Mastercard. Diners Club or American Express are not common.
Namibian currency is known as the Namibian Dollar and is kept on par value with the South African Rand. Note that the South African Rand is also usable as currency in Namibia, but this is subject to revision sometime in the future, though probably not tomorrow or next month. If it happens, this paragraph will be changed.
Most major European currencies are easily exchanged and there are a number of bureau de changes in most major centers. Banks also exchange currency, as do some of the larger hotels and lodges.
Other businesses won’t transact in currencies other than Namibian Dollars and SA Rands. Ensure that you have enough of the local currency to get by on a day-to-day basis. A reserve of about N$500 ought to do it, but this can vary according to the size of the fuel tank on the vehicle you are driving.
Namibia has a stable economy and currency so don’t bother trying to do black market transactions or even looking for them. That sort of business doesn’t exist.
Although Namibia is probably one of the safer destinations on earth, come prepared. Bring plenty of money with you, and if you don’t need it for survival, you will still probably be able to find ways to spend it.