Stuff you need backpacking around Namibia

English is the official language and is widely spoken. However the majority of older Namibians (those educated before independence) only speak English as a third language, and therefore the standard is fairly poor. Afrikaans is spoken by many. German is also spoken by a large number of people of German descent, though they tend to be mostly in Windhoek, Swakopmund and various farms scattered through the country. There is a comparatively large number of eleven 'recognised' languages in Namibia, as well as others that have too few speakers to be officially recognised.

Vegetarians need not apply. Namibians have a very high intake of meat. It is possible to be a vegetarian in Namibia, however, as there are some Peace Corps workers who live there for two years and remain vegetarian throughout.

• Fruits and Vegetables. you will find in Namibia include avacados bananas, mandarin oranges, oranges, pineapples, kiwi, peanuts, beans, rice, couscous, millet, tomatoes, corn, bread, onions, pasta, potatoes, and celery. Many of these foods are imported and may be expensive and limited to seasonal availability.

• If visiting Windhoek. you will find local and international cuisine in the many diverse restaurants and cafes. Pretty much anything you want, you will find here.

Namibia's nightclubs are always happening and always open late (pretty much until the last person leaves). They are mostly located in bigger cities: Windhoek, Swakopmund and Oshakati. There are not many bars, though there is very good beer, and there are a lot of shebeens. The flagship beer of Namibia is Windhoek Lager [7], an easy-drinking filtered beer, not dissimilar to many German brews.

Money Namibia (along with Lesotho, South Africa and Swaziland) is a member of the Southern African Common Monetary Area and as such the Namibian Dollar (NAD) is pegged 1:1 to the South African Rand (ZAR). Both the Namibian Dollar and South African Rand is legal tender in Namibia though change will usually be given in Namibian Dollars. Banks in Namibia will convert Namibian Dollars for South African Rand and vice versa without charge or paperwork. Since any bank or currency exchange outside Namibia (including other members of the Common Monetary Area) will charge a substantial service fee to change currency, it is advisable to make use of a Namibian Bank before leaving the country. It is also advisable to carry proof (for example ATM receipts) that money you are taking out of the country is money that you brought into the country in the first place. Rough conversion rates (March 2008) are: 8:1 (USD), 12:1 (EUR) and 16:1 (GBP). Current official exchange rates are available from the Namibian Central Bank [6] Automated teller machines are available in Windhoek, Swakopmund, Luderitz, Tsumeb, and other towns and cities. It is best to use only teller machines that are inside a mall or other building. Always be careful to make sure no one is watching you enter your PIN, and be vigilant about typical scams (e.g. machines that seem to eat your card and won't give it back after you enter the PIN). Prices in shops are fixed, but prices in open markets or from street vendors are open to barter.

Namibia's country code is 264. Each city or region has a two-digit area code. When calling long distance within Namibia, prefix the area code with a '0'. Mobile phones are very common and run on the GSM network, using the same frequency as Europe and the rest of Africa. There are Internet cafes in Windhoek, Swakopmund and Opuwo, and hostels often have access as well. MTC is the Namibian cell phone network. SIM cards can be purchased at MTC stores as well as many other cell phone shops. All mobile phones have the area code 81, regardless of where you are in the country. MTC's service palette and coverage area is expanding rapidly, with more advanced technologies like GPRS gradually gaining a foot-hold. MTC has introduced 3G, and one can for example subscribe to a 24 month contract easily for N$ 299,00 per month and receive 500 MB free download volume and the 3G USB or laptop device. Coverage is excellent with almost all base stations everywhere having the technology. Cell One - Namibia's second cell phone provider started their services in Windhoek during March 2007 - they plan to expand to eventually cover Namibia. Cell One is now available throughout the country and rapidly expanding. The network uses the 085 prefix. No data services are on offer as yet. The current special was buying a starter set for around N$ 19,00 and receiving N$ 14,00 in pre-loaded airtime. If MTC gives you grief, do not hesitate to try Cell One, as the new staffs are highly motivated.