V55LA – Namibia

The V55LA team will be operating in Namibia from the end of October 2024 until the first week of November 2024.
Team – Members of the Norwegian Amateur Radio DX Expedition.
Nearest DX Point V55LA
V55LA Log Searchsearch They will operate on the HF band.
QSL was performed by M0OXO and OQRS.

Namibia is the epitome of exotic Africa

Namibia is a true reflection of the land of contrasts, where two very different elements – sea and desert – coexist side by side. If it were not for its highly developed infrastructure, this country could be called a true wild Africa. Many attractions, mostly created by nature, attract tourists from all over the world every year.

Namibia will satisfy the taste of tourists who love pure African exoticism and sunny climate. Besides, a vacation in this country is affordable from an economic point of view, most of the expenses are only for long-distance flights.

Namibia. Author – Thomas Hanel.

Historical background

Namibia was once a German colony, but after World War I, the League of Nations handed over administration of the country to South Africa. After World War II, Namibia fought a long battle for independence, including military action, but it was not achieved until 1990. The Soviet Union played a major role in Namibia’s independence, and the local population still treats Russians warmly.

Namibia’s location and nature

Namibia is located in southwestern Africa. It is bordered by Zambia and Angola to the north and South Africa and Botswana to the east. The western part of Namibia is washed by the Atlantic Ocean.

The capital of Namibia is Windhoek. The most famous attractions in the area include the picturesque national park, the famous Skeleton Coast and the majestic Namib Desert.

Namibia’s natural landscape is quite diverse, covering almost all types of landscapes on the African continent. In the center of the country are highlands, covering most of the country’s territory. In the west, adjacent to the ocean, is the Namib Desert. In the south is the Orange River Basin. In the east is the Kalahari Desert, and in the east is the jungle.

Namibia. Author- Norm Johnson.

State structure and traditions of the local population

Namibia’s state system is a republic, headed by a president. The country has two official languages ​​- Afrikaans and English. However, about 80% of the local population speaks Bantu languages: Ovambo, Herero, Lozi. The official Afrikaans language is mainly spoken in the south of the country.

Due to the rapid development of tourism, communicating with locals in English is not a problem – locals speak it very well, especially those who work in tourist areas.

More than 90% of Namibians believe in Christianity, mainly Protestantism (Lutheranism) and Catholicism. A small number of residents still retain ancient African traditions, believing in ancestor worship, fetishism, animal worship, etc.

Namibia. Author – Thomas Pitrou.

currency

Namibia’s national currency is the Namibian dollar, internationally known as the NAD. Once you arrive in the country, you can exchange money at specialized exchange offices at the airport or at branches of a large number of local banks across the country. When exchanging, be aware that it is difficult to exchange leftover money back, so buy local currency in small quantities.

Travellers cheques and credit cards are accepted in tourist areas. You can also withdraw cash in local currency up to 1,000 Namibian dollars from the First National Bank ATM network. As for cashing in US dollars, this can be done by appointment at a bank branch.

Customs regulations

Namibia has no restrictions on the import and export of foreign currencies, but it is prohibited to export the local currency if the amount exceeds 50,000 Namibian dollars – a ban that is unlikely to cause anyone any discomfort as the Namibian dollar has no value abroad.

Import restrictions on tobacco products and alcohol: no more than 250 grams of tobacco and no more than 1 liter of spirits. People under 18 are strictly prohibited from importing cigarettes and alcohol.

Local Transportation

The country’s transport infrastructure is extremely poor, with only a few taxis and bus routes. But the lack of public transport is offset by the possibility of renting a car in any major city. All you need to rent a car is an international driver’s license and road tax. Both local and international companies offer rental cars for commuters. The undoubted advantage of the local infrastructure is the excellent condition of the roads. Traffic in Namibia is on the left.

Security Level

Namibia has a moderate crime rate. Visitors are advised not to leave belongings unattended and valuables should be stored in a dedicated safe – all hotels offer this service.

Namibia is not one of the countries with a high incidence of malaria, but in the northern part of the country, malaria infections occur occasionally, so it is recommended to take antimalarial medication before traveling.

You should also pay attention to local drinking water – preferably bottled water.

V55LA. Where is Namibia located. Map.