How to Get the Particulars Right

If you’ve got been following alongside for some time now, you would possibly already know that this metropolis lady found the pure pleasure of nature solely after beginning Solo Traveler. And now, I’m going to expertise the final word in nature journey: Namibia.

While, technically I’ve been to Africa, my solely cease has been Morocco. Culturally, Morocco is extra aligned with the Mediterranean and the Middle East than Africa. I take into account this a primary.

I’m actually lucky as Exodus Travels is sponsoring me on this journey. That stated, all that I share shall be based mostly on my private expertise. I hope you will comply with alongside on Instagram as I share this journey each day from August twenty third to September sixth.

Here’s My Namibia with Exodus Travels

The Exodus journey I’m taking is Discover Namibia – Lodges which incorporates 12 nights lodging, journey by purpose-built overland truck (that is vital given the desert and dunes Namibia is known for), all breakfasts, two lunches, 4 dinners and, in fact, wonderful guides, beautiful surroundings, and unique wildlife. The whole journey is developed via a accountability lens. Exodus is a Certified B Corporation, with a mission to enhance their social and environmental affect throughout all journeys.

The itinerary begins and ends in Windhoek, the nation’s capital. The 12 day-day journey consists of:

• two full days on safari in Etosha National Park
• climbing the very best dunes on the earth within the early morning mild
• monitoring rhinos with the assistance of an professional native information
• mountaineering to the traditional White Lady rock portray, created by San individuals
• watching over water holes and stargazing from the lodges

A couple of phrases about pricing.

• The present worth for 12 nights is CAD$6,170 plus a small single complement for a complete of CAD$7,215.
• Go in December and your journey with non-public room, on the time of writing, is CAD$4,522.
• In US {dollars}, this journey begins at $3,150.

You can see the full itinerary here. But let’s get on to the preparations. I’ll share heaps in regards to the precise expertise quickly.

Preparing for Travel to Namibia: Visas, Insurance, Vaccinations

Communications with the Exodus Travels Customer Operations Team has been straightforward. In the Trip Notes I obtained a number of info in order that I may put together for the journey. Here’s what it’s good to know.

• Passport necessities: I simply renewed my ten 12 months passport in order that was able to go. (You want not less than six months remaining in your passport earlier than expiry to enter the nation and two clear pages.)
• Visa necessities: American, Canadian, British, and Australian residents, together with these from many different international locations, require a visa to journey to Namibia. Get your visa here once you have your flight details. Once all particulars are entered, go to Track Your Visa, click on on Pay, make the fee, then go to Track Your Visa once more and click on on Paid. You will then be capable to obtain your visa.
• Travel insurance coverage. This was an enormous shock. I bought a web-based quote from CAA (the equal to AAA within the US) which got here in at $498 for the journey. Through Medi-Quote, my really useful journey insurance coverage dealer for Canadians, I paid CAD$233 for an annual plan. Please learn Travel Insurance for Solo Travelers: How to Make Sure You’re Protected and Best Travel Insurance for Seniors: How to Find What’s Right for You.
• Vaccination necessities: Here is a detailed recommendation for vaccines from the CDC. I wanted to debate the next with my physician.
  • I wanted:
    • Typhoid vaccination
    • Malaria prophylaxis – 12 tablets each day beginning 1 day earlier than getting into malaria zone, whereas within the malaria zone, and for 7 days after
    • Traveler’s diarrhoea prevention. I used to be supplied the Dukoral vaccine. Since I’ve been via many different international locations with no drawback, I selected to not get it. Instead, I’ve an antibiotic, bought at house, touring with me. Note: I’ve purchased a Lifestraw bottle that filters water for micro organism, parasites, and microplastics.
  • I do not want:
    • Routine vaccines – Chicken Pox, MMR, Shingles, Polio
    • Tetanus
    • Hepatitis A & B. I had the TWINRIX vaccine 15 years in the past. It ought to be good for an additional 5 years for Hep A and endlessly for Hep B.
    • Yellow Fever vaccine. The CDC doesn’t advocate this.
• Money necessities.
  • Cash: ATMs can be found on the airport and a few cities however they aren’t all over the place. US$, Sterling, and Euros can all be exchanged within the nation simply. If you need to alternate cash prematurely, it is really useful to get South African rand. I’ll be bringing US$.
  • Credit playing cards: these are extensively accepted. As all the time, I’ll journey with three.
  • Tipping: I’ll be bringing cash in small denominations. The suggestions by Exodus are US$2-3 per day for guides (US$36 per information for the 12 days) and 10% in eating places.
• Electricity.
  • Plug kind M, the one with three spherical pins.
• eSim for communications that keep away from roaming expenses.
  • I’ve been utilizing Ubigi up so far however when it got here to journey to Namibia their website made me nervous. Namibia was not within the checklist of nations coated but that they had a web page that was discovered by Google to purchase information for Namibia. Either the checklist of nations or the particular Namibia web page have to be outdated. This led me to search for one other eSim.
  • I landed on aloSIM as Techradar rated it finest for simple set up. It nonetheless wasn’t clear to me how and when to put in so I went to ChatGPT for directions. I’ve cleaned up the directions beneath to make them even less complicated. After you put in the app in your telephone:
    1. Buy your eSIM information plan 24–48 hours earlier than departure to make sure your app and profile are prepared—ideally 1–2 days earlier than your flight.
    2. Go to My eSIMs within the aloSIM app, and set up your Namibia profile over Wi‑Fi whereas at house. This course of is dependable when accomplished pre‑journey. Installing early helps catch any machine compatibility points earlier than you permit
    3. Activate the information plan when in Namibia, ideally while you’re prepared to make use of it. Your information bundle doesn’t start till the activation step, and also you have to be within the vacation spot nation for the plan to attach and begin the countdown. If you activate earlier than arriving in Namibia, time shall be wasted.
• WhatsApp or Facebook Messenger for staying related.
  • With each WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger it’s good to have the app put in and be related to the particular person you need to name or message who additionally has the app put in. You can ship an invite to attach inside the app.
• VPN for on-line safety.

With the above sorted, subsequent up is my packing checklist. The climate is often full solar with the temperature vary from 23°C (73.4°F) to six°C (42.8°F) at night time. This is simply nice by me. I’ll publish a packing checklist for journey to Namibia on my return. I need to ensure that I provide you with my finest info.

Finally, I need to write a phrase about accountable journey. Exodus Travels is a Certified B Corp and companions with ‘Pack for a Purpose’. They encourage vacationers with a bit of additional area to establish gadgets which can be wanted domestically by colleges and medical clinics. The Tour Leader can help with donating the gadgets. 

Last up to date: fifth August, 2025