Namibia Travel Guide

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Shopping

Windhoek has the best selection of fashionable shops in Namibia, including jewellers selling traditional and contemporary pieces featuring Namibian diamonds and semi-precious stones. Local crafts such as wood carvings, karosse rugs and Herero dolls can be bought in the city's curio and gift shops and at the Windhoek Street Market, held every second Saturday. Other good buys include liqueur chocolates made in Windhoek, leather shoes, and Swakara garments made from local wool. Crafts and curios can also be found at regional craft centers and safari lodges.

Shopping hours: Mon-Fri 0900-1700; Sat 0900-1300. Some bigger supermarkets are also open Sun 1100-1300 and 1600-1900.

Currency

The Namibian Dollar (NAD; symbol N$) is in note denominations of N$200, 100, 50, 20 and 10. Coins are in denominations of N$5, N$1, 50 cents, 10 cents and 5 cents. It is linked to the South African Rand (R) on a 1:1 basis (South African Rand = 100 cents). The South African Rand is also acceptable as currency in Namibia.

Currency Exchange

Available in banks and at bureau de change.

Credit Cards, Debit Cards, and ATMs

American Express, Diners Club, MasterCard and Visa are accepted. Credit cards are not usually accepted at petrol stations.

Travelers Checks

To avoid additional exchange rate charges, take traveler's checks in US Dollars or South African Rand.

Currency Restrictions

The import and export of local currency is limited to N$50,000. The import of foreign currency is unlimited, provided it's declared on arrival. Export of foreign currency is unlimited up to the amount imported and declared.

Banking Hours

Mon-Fri 0900-1530; Sat 0900-1100.

Exchange Rate