Safety In Namibia
 

Hello to all,

I'm off to Windhoak next friday and had a few questions before I packed up my suit case,

I'll be travelling on my own to Windhoak in the hope for a bush job and planning at staying in some kind of backpackers place for a month. And was wondering would it be safe to pack my iPhone and laptop to Namibia! I don't want to sound rude or anything but Its somewhere I've never been before and I'll be going on my own so I don't want to risk anything!! And also would you advise to take all my money as cash or some cash and the rest on a debt card? Any advise will be much appreciated!

Safe Flights,

B737Dude

Namibia is much, much safer than SA, if that's your comparison, mainly because it has managed to control illegal immigration to a greater degree and because there is not the same amount of poverty and unemployment, and Namibians are fundamentally honest.

Take the normal precautions and you will be fine. If you leave electronic equipment and cash unprotected you are asking for trouble but it might not happen. Plastic money is generally accepted in Windhoek and the other smaller towns (there are only a couple anyway!) but in rural areas it might be more of a problem.

If you get the chance, take a drive to Swakopmund and give it my love! There are two routes, the main tar road (B2 I think) via Usakos and Okandja, and the southern routes which are mostly gravel (unless tarred since I last did them) but usually in good condition. It's worth going out on one route and back on the other.

And one last thing, Windhoek Breweries produce the best beers in the world, and I hope you're not a vegetarian. Enjoy!

It is true, that Windhoek is safer than Cape Town & Johannesburg. But the moment you walk around town with your laptop, you do become a target. Not so much in the mainstreet and shopping centres, but on the way from the backpackers. Don't take too much cash, debit cards are widely accepted. Most backpackers do offer to keep your money & flight ticket in a safe for you. Don't carry those things around with you. If you decide to walk from the backpackers to town, it might be better not to take a backpack along. This marks you as a tourist and some friendly brothers might jump out of taxi stopping next to you and help you carry your backpack for you.

Dude,

The short answer is - don't do anything you wouldn't do at home. Has served me well in many, many years working pretty much anywhere on this planet. I don't know where your particular 'Cloud 9' is, but you probably wouldn't leave a laptop or an iPhone on a table in a cafe and wander off there either.

I have been to Nam several times (albeit not in the last 4-5 years) and always found it the safest of all the places I got to in Africa. That said, see above....

I'd also second DaFly. Follow his advice and you'll be fine. Good luck with the job hunting!

Yupp, just take the regular precautions that you would take anywhere else and you'll be fine. Have some cash with you but keep most of your money on plastic.
And be careful in the night in Windhoek with the ladies around the gas station at Fidel Castro. But otherwise no worries.
And yeah, Swakop is the gem of Southern Africa. Safer than any place I've been. If you want to get there and you don't have your own transport then the cheapest way is to take the night train from Whoek.
Enjoy! Best flying ever!

Thanks guys :-) its really nice to get a positive ends up before I leave! And for the backpackers is 300 zar per night a good deal? Or can I shop for a better deal?

Regards

B737Dude

300 rand? Thats a bit steep. Are you staying in a single room? Or a dorm?

Best thing to do is to take a bit of cash with you and leave your card at the backpackers.

One thing... Do NOT go to the atm if there is people hanging around. I can't remember how they do it but they freeze the atm and then tell you to type in some code. Then your pin. Then they will try and watch you to get your pin.

That price is single room with cupboard box back-backers! It sounds alot to me! Even tho it's £25 a night it's not exactly Primer inn! Any suggestions with any clean, friendly pack-packers you might recommend?

Regards

B737Dude

Dude ,

I stayed in Windhoek a couple of years ago- very modern and different to the rest of Africa due to it's German colonial past. The crime rate is very low compared to South Africa but like DaFly says you just need to take a few precautions as you would in any country.

If you need a place to stay near the city centre then I would recommend Chameleon City Backpackers Windhoek- their accomodation costs are based on your budget varying from full size ensuite bedrooms to small 2 person tents in the camping area. They also have an outside bar with swimming pool. If you need any shops the main shopping centre is only a 5 or 10 minute walk away.

If you do get a flying job out of Eros then I would say be aware of the Density Altitude problems- Windhoek is about 5000' ASL and it can get pretty hot as well.

Best wishes,

Rico

Yeah, either stay at the cardboard box or chameleon. Both good. Chameleon is probably better.
I spent a lot of my time in the dorm rooms. Never had any issues with my stuff. People are usually pretty good there. Drops the price a lot too.
I walked to Eros from Cardboard box. Takes about an hour and a half. Not a bad walk, pretty flat. Was just a little hot though!
Or it was 15 namibian to get a taxi I think. prices may have changed a little now though.

Yoo,

I'm living at the Chameleon right now. I was staying at the Cardboard Box in a tent and I actually really like the place. Windhoek and Swakopmund are actually kinda expensive. Be prepared to spend around $700-$1000USD/month. As far as safety, everyone else pretty much covered the gist. Just don't blatantly have your money out and about, dress down, unless you're going to the airport, and keep your common sense on high.

My personal Pros and Cons about the Chameleon and the Cardboard Box:

Chameleon -Pros:
-Very clean
-Extremely friendly staff
-closer to the airport & to catch a cab there in the morning
-peaceful after a day at work
-good breakfast (cereal and toast)
-closer to Pick & Pay and Fruit & Veg (grocery stores)
-Very clean kitchen
-quiet at night
-Programmable commons TV room
-Cheaper drinks

Chameleon -Cons:
-Have to pay for internet (and it's slow...TIA)
-More expensive compared to the Box
-Small campground
-relatively boring...

Box -Pros:
-Friendly staff
-Free internet
-Lively, especially at night & the weekends
-lots of girls
-CHEAP (in comparison about $120nad or ~$14USD for a single room)
-Can purchase food @ bar
-definitely a good place to start and feel familiar with Windhoek

Box -Cons:
-Kinda dirty, the kitchen is gross, so is the public fridge
-further from the airport & harder to catch a taxi in the morning
-Chad! (the owner. when he's there, they only play classic rock haha)
-only area to hang out is the bar & they ALWAYS have the TV on
-Loud at night


Personally, I'd recommend the Box to start. You'll meet lots of people and become much more familiar with the area. In both places, they're relatively safe. The advantage to the box is that the area behind the box (Windhoek West) is quite safe & if you like to run or jog in the evening, no need to worry.

However, keep your view realistic. . .

As far as hiring goes, I don't know what to expect at the moment. Don't get discouraged if you don't get any feedback from the companies immediately. They're like women, they pretend to act not interested. Just know that there is no real hiring season. As soon as a spot opens up, you've gotta be there & READY to go.

Contrary to what has been said, don't necessarily take this as a vacation. This is basically a business trip so be prepared to work. Not that you won't enjoy yourself, but get your $hit in order before you party. I HIGHLY recommend doing a C210 type rating. Why? A). You make yourself familiar with the airspace, rules & regs, the aircraft itself AND you can go online faster. B). You keep yourself busy and focused on what you need to do. It's not cheap! It is definitely not cheap!! BUT, if you've already spent X amount on your qualifications, another $3,000USD shouldn't kill you.

Of course, we're here because we love to fly, but just know that there is also a lot of BS the comes with it, so just be prepared. I'm not going to tell you not to come because if you want this job, and are prepared to wait and work, you WILL get a job out here. Just be ready! If you ever catch yourself just sitting with nothing to do, pick up a book, or hang out at a flight school.

Take care man, and see you soon :ok: